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1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 @end direntry
49
50 @copying
51 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
52 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
53
54 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
60
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
64 @c man end
65 @end copying
66
67 @ifnottex
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74 @end ifset
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77 @insertcopying
78 @end ifnottex
79
80 @titlepage
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86 @sp 1
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88 @end ifset
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 @page
91 @tex
92 {\parskip=0pt
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 }
97 @end tex
98
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105 @insertcopying
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169 @end ifset
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173 @end ifclear
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
187 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
193 @end menu
194
195 @end ifnottex
196
197 @contents
198
199 @node Summary
200 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201
202 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205
206 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
208
209 @itemize @bullet
210 @item
211 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
212
213 @item
214 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
215
216 @item
217 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
218
219 @item
220 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
222 @end itemize
223
224 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227
228 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
229 @ref{D,,D}.
230
231 @cindex Modula-2
232 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234
235 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
237
238 @cindex Pascal
239 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
242 syntax.
243
244 @cindex Fortran
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
247 underscore.
248
249 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
251
252 @menu
253 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
256 @end menu
257
258 @node Free Software
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software
260
261 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262 General Public License
263 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269
270 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
272 from anyone else.
273
274 @node Free Documentation
275 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276
277 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279 include with the free software. Many of our most important
280 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282 when an important free software package does not come with a free
283 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
284 gaps today.
285
286 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290 them from the free software world.
291
292 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296 contract to make it non-free.
297
298 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305
306 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310
311 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
317 community.
318
319 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
327 of the manual.
328
329 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333 manual to replace it.
334
335 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340 the free software community.
341
342 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351
352 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360
361 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362 published by other publishers, at
363 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
364
365 @node Contributors
366 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367
368 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374 blow-by-blow account.
375
376 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
377
378 @quotation
379 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
382 @end quotation
383
384 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386 releases:
387 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396
397 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399
400 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405
406 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409
410 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412
413 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414
415 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417 support.
418 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434
435 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436
437 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
438 libraries.
439
440 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441 about several machine instruction sets.
442
443 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446 and RDI targets, respectively.
447
448 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449 command-line editing and command history.
450
451 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453
454 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
456 symbols.
457
458 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460
461 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462
463 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
464 processors.
465
466 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467
468 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469
470 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471
472 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
473 watchpoints.
474
475 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476
477 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478
479 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481
482 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489
490 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492
493 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508
509 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511
512 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
513 Hat.
514
515 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521
522 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
533 Weigand.
534
535 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539
540 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
542
543 @node Sample Session
544 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545
546 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
549
550 @iftex
551 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
553 @end iftex
554
555 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557
558 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
567
568 @smallexample
569 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
570 $ @b{./m4}
571 @b{define(foo,0000)}
572
573 @b{foo}
574 0000
575 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
576
577 @b{bar}
578 0000
579 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580
581 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
582 @b{baz}
583 @b{Ctrl-d}
584 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
585 @end smallexample
586
587 @noindent
588 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
589
590 @smallexample
591 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
594 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 the conditions.
597 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
598 for details.
599
600 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
601 (@value{GDBP})
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608 that examples fit in this manual.
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618 @code{break} command.
619
620 @smallexample
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
629
630 @smallexample
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
633 @b{define(foo,0000)}
634
635 @b{foo}
636 0000
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642 context where it stops.
643
644 @smallexample
645 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646
647 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 at builtin.c:879
649 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654 the next line of the current function.
655
656 @smallexample
657 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
658 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
659 : nil,
660 @end smallexample
661
662 @noindent
663 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
667
668 @smallexample
669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
670 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 at input.c:530
672 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
673 @end smallexample
674
675 @noindent
676 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681 stack frame for each active subroutine.
682
683 @smallexample
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 at input.c:530
687 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 at builtin.c:882
689 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 at macro.c:71
692 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
694 @end smallexample
695
696 @noindent
697 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
709 : xstrdup(rq);
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
712 @end smallexample
713
714 @noindent
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
719
720 @smallexample
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
725 @end smallexample
726
727 @noindent
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
734 533 xfree(rquote);
735 534
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 : xstrdup (lq);
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
739 : xstrdup (rq);
740 537
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
743 540 @}
744 541
745 542 void
746 @end smallexample
747
748 @noindent
749 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
756 540 @}
757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758 $3 = 9
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
760 $4 = 7
761 @end smallexample
762
763 @noindent
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
769 assignments.
770
771 @smallexample
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773 $5 = 7
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
775 $6 = 9
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
783
784 @smallexample
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
786 Continuing.
787
788 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
789
790 baz
791 0000
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @noindent
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
798
799 @smallexample
800 @b{Ctrl-d}
801 Program exited normally.
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @noindent
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
808
809 @smallexample
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
811 @end smallexample
812
813 @node Invocation
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815
816 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
817 The essentials are:
818 @itemize @bullet
819 @item
820 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821 @item
822 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
823 @end itemize
824
825 @menu
826 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
830 @end menu
831
832 @node Invoking GDB
833 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834
835 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837
838 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840
841 The command-line options described here are designed
842 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843 options may effectively be unavailable.
844
845 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846 specifying an executable program:
847
848 @smallexample
849 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
850 @end smallexample
851
852 @noindent
853 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
854 specified:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
858 @end smallexample
859
860 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861 to debug a running process:
862
863 @smallexample
864 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
865 @end smallexample
866
867 @noindent
868 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870
871 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876
877 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
879 option processing.
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882 @end smallexample
883 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885
886 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
888
889 @smallexample
890 @value{GDBP} -silent
891 @end smallexample
892
893 @noindent
894 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
896
897 @noindent
898 Type
899
900 @smallexample
901 @value{GDBP} -help
902 @end smallexample
903
904 @noindent
905 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907
908 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910 @samp{-x} option is used.
911
912
913 @menu
914 * File Options:: Choosing files
915 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
917 @end menu
918
919 @node File Options
920 @subsection Choosing Files
921
922 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935
936 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938 argument and ignore it.
939
940 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945
946 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
948 @c it.
949
950 @table @code
951 @item -symbols @var{file}
952 @itemx -s @var{file}
953 @cindex @code{--symbols}
954 @cindex @code{-s}
955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956
957 @item -exec @var{file}
958 @itemx -e @var{file}
959 @cindex @code{--exec}
960 @cindex @code{-e}
961 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
963
964 @item -se @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--se}
966 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
967 file.
968
969 @item -core @var{file}
970 @itemx -c @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--core}
972 @cindex @code{-c}
973 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974
975 @item -pid @var{number}
976 @itemx -p @var{number}
977 @cindex @code{--pid}
978 @cindex @code{-p}
979 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980
981 @item -command @var{file}
982 @itemx -x @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--command}
984 @cindex @code{-x}
985 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988
989 @item -eval-command @var{command}
990 @itemx -ex @var{command}
991 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
992 @cindex @code{-ex}
993 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994
995 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
997
998 @smallexample
999 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1001 @end smallexample
1002
1003 @item -init-command @var{file}
1004 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1005 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1006 @cindex @code{-ix}
1007 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008 after loading gdbinit files).
1009 @xref{Startup}.
1010
1011 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1013 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014 @cindex @code{-iex}
1015 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016 after loading gdbinit files).
1017 @xref{Startup}.
1018
1019 @item -directory @var{directory}
1020 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1021 @cindex @code{--directory}
1022 @cindex @code{-d}
1023 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1024
1025 @item -r
1026 @itemx -readnow
1027 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1028 @cindex @code{-r}
1029 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1032
1033 @end table
1034
1035 @node Mode Options
1036 @subsection Choosing Modes
1037
1038 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039 batch mode or quiet mode.
1040
1041 @table @code
1042 @anchor{-nx}
1043 @item -nx
1044 @itemx -n
1045 @cindex @code{--nx}
1046 @cindex @code{-n}
1047 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1049
1050 @table @code
1051 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052 This is the system-wide init file.
1053 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056 have been processed.
1057 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in your home directory.
1059 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060 command options have been processed.
1061 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062 This is the init file in the current directory.
1063 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1066 @end table
1067
1068 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069 For documentation on how to write command files,
1070 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1071
1072 @anchor{-nh}
1073 @item -nh
1074 @cindex @code{--nh}
1075 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076 in your home directory.
1077 @xref{Startup}.
1078
1079 @item -quiet
1080 @itemx -silent
1081 @itemx -q
1082 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1083 @cindex @code{--silent}
1084 @cindex @code{-q}
1085 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1087
1088 @item -batch
1089 @cindex @code{--batch}
1090 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1097
1098 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100 make this more useful, the message
1101
1102 @smallexample
1103 Program exited normally.
1104 @end smallexample
1105
1106 @noindent
1107 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1109 mode.
1110
1111 @item -batch-silent
1112 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116 for an interactive session.
1117
1118 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119 messages, for example.
1120
1121 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1123
1124 @item -return-child-result
1125 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1128
1129 @itemize @bullet
1130 @item
1131 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1134 @item
1135 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1136 @item
1137 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138 the exit code will be -1.
1139 @end itemize
1140
1141 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1143 interface.
1144
1145 @item -nowindows
1146 @itemx -nw
1147 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1148 @cindex @code{-nw}
1149 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1152
1153 @item -windows
1154 @itemx -w
1155 @cindex @code{--windows}
1156 @cindex @code{-w}
1157 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1158 used if possible.
1159
1160 @item -cd @var{directory}
1161 @cindex @code{--cd}
1162 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163 instead of the current directory.
1164
1165 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1170
1171 @item -fullname
1172 @itemx -f
1173 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1174 @cindex @code{-f}
1175 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1183 frame.
1184
1185 @item -annotate @var{level}
1186 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1187 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1195
1196 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1197 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1198
1199 @item --args
1200 @cindex @code{--args}
1201 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203 This option stops option processing.
1204
1205 @item -baud @var{bps}
1206 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1207 @cindex @code{--baud}
1208 @cindex @code{-b}
1209 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1211
1212 @item -l @var{timeout}
1213 @cindex @code{-l}
1214 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215 for remote debugging.
1216
1217 @item -tty @var{device}
1218 @itemx -t @var{device}
1219 @cindex @code{--tty}
1220 @cindex @code{-t}
1221 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1223
1224 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1225 @item -tui
1226 @cindex @code{--tui}
1227 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1233
1234 @c @item -xdb
1235 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1239 @c systems.
1240
1241 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1247
1248 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1254
1255 @item -write
1256 @cindex @code{--write}
1257 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1259 (@pxref{Patching}).
1260
1261 @item -statistics
1262 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1263 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1265
1266 @item -version
1267 @cindex @code{--version}
1268 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1270
1271 @item -configuration
1272 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1273 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1276
1277 @end table
1278
1279 @node Startup
1280 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1282
1283 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1284
1285 @enumerate
1286 @item
1287 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1289
1290 @item
1291 @cindex init file
1292 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1295 that file.
1296
1297 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1298 @item
1299 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1302 that file.
1303
1304 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1305 @item
1306 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1310 gets loaded.
1311
1312 @item
1313 Processes command line options and operands.
1314
1315 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1316 @item
1317 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320 This is only done if the current directory is
1321 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1324 @value{GDBN}.
1325
1326 @item
1327 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1331
1332 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333 you must do something like the following:
1334
1335 @smallexample
1336 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1337 @end smallexample
1338
1339 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1340 off too late.
1341
1342 @item
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1346
1347 @item
1348 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1351 @end enumerate
1352
1353 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1359
1360 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1362
1363 @cindex init file name
1364 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1372
1373
1374 @node Quitting GDB
1375 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1378
1379 @table @code
1380 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1383 @itemx q
1384 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1388 error code.
1389 @end table
1390
1391 @cindex interrupt
1392 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396 until a time when it is safe.
1397
1398 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1401
1402 @node Shell Commands
1403 @section Shell Commands
1404
1405 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407 just use the @code{shell} command.
1408
1409 @table @code
1410 @kindex shell
1411 @kindex !
1412 @cindex shell escape
1413 @item shell @var{command-string}
1414 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1415 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1420 @end table
1421
1422 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1424 @value{GDBN}:
1425
1426 @table @code
1427 @kindex make
1428 @cindex calling make
1429 @item make @var{make-args}
1430 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1432 @end table
1433
1434 @node Logging Output
1435 @section Logging Output
1436 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1438
1439 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1441
1442 @table @code
1443 @kindex set logging
1444 @item set logging on
1445 Enable logging.
1446 @item set logging off
1447 Disable logging.
1448 @cindex logging file name
1449 @item set logging file @var{file}
1450 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457 @kindex show logging
1458 @item show logging
1459 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1460 @end table
1461
1462 @node Commands
1463 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1464
1465 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1470
1471 @menu
1472 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473 * Completion:: Command completion
1474 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1475 @end menu
1476
1477 @node Command Syntax
1478 @section Command Syntax
1479
1480 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1486
1487 @cindex abbreviation
1488 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1495
1496 @cindex repeating commands
1497 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1504
1505 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1508
1509 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1514
1515 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1516 @cindex comment
1517 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519 Files,,Command Files}).
1520
1521 @cindex repeating command sequences
1522 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1526 for editing.
1527
1528 @node Completion
1529 @section Command Completion
1530
1531 @cindex completion
1532 @cindex word completion
1533 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1537
1538 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541 enter it). For example, if you type
1542
1543 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1547 @smallexample
1548 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1549 @end smallexample
1550
1551 @noindent
1552 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1557 @end smallexample
1558
1559 @noindent
1560 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1566
1567 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1575 example:
1576
1577 @smallexample
1578 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581 make_abs_section make_function_type
1582 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588 @noindent
1589 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1591 command.
1592
1593 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1598
1599 @cindex quotes in commands
1600 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1601 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605 @value{GDBN} commands.
1606
1607 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1618
1619 @smallexample
1620 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1623 @end smallexample
1624
1625 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1628 place:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1634 @end smallexample
1635
1636 @noindent
1637 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1640
1641 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1645
1646 @cindex completion of structure field names
1647 @cindex structure field name completion
1648 @cindex completion of union field names
1649 @cindex union field name completion
1650 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1655 left-hand-side:
1656
1657 @smallexample
1658 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660 to_data to_isatty to_write
1661 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1662 to_flush to_read
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1668 follows:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 struct ui_file
1672 @{
1673 int *magic;
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1683 void *to_data;
1684 @}
1685 @end smallexample
1686
1687
1688 @node Help
1689 @section Getting Help
1690 @cindex online documentation
1691 @kindex help
1692
1693 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694 using the command @code{help}.
1695
1696 @table @code
1697 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1698 @item help
1699 @itemx h
1700 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1702
1703 @smallexample
1704 (@value{GDBP}) help
1705 List of classes of commands:
1706
1707 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709 data -- Examining data
1710 files -- Specifying and examining files
1711 internals -- Maintenance commands
1712 obscure -- Obscure features
1713 running -- Running the program
1714 stack -- Examining the stack
1715 status -- Status inquiries
1716 support -- Support facilities
1717 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722 commands in that class.
1723 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1724 documentation.
1725 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1726 (@value{GDBP})
1727 @end smallexample
1728 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1729
1730 @item help @var{class}
1731 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733 help display for the class @code{status}:
1734
1735 @smallexample
1736 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1737 Status inquiries.
1738
1739 List of commands:
1740
1741 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743 info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745 show -- Generic command for showing things
1746 about the debugger
1747
1748 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1749 documentation.
1750 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1751 (@value{GDBP})
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @item help @var{command}
1755 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1757
1758 @kindex apropos
1759 @item apropos @var{args}
1760 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 apropos alias
1766 @end smallexample
1767
1768 @noindent
1769 results in:
1770
1771 @smallexample
1772 @c @group
1773 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1778 @c @end group
1779 @end smallexample
1780
1781 @kindex complete
1782 @item complete @var{args}
1783 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785 command you want completed. For example:
1786
1787 @smallexample
1788 complete i
1789 @end smallexample
1790
1791 @noindent results in:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 @group
1795 if
1796 ignore
1797 info
1798 inspect
1799 @end group
1800 @end smallexample
1801
1802 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1803 @end table
1804
1805 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1811 Index}.
1812
1813 @c @group
1814 @table @code
1815 @kindex info
1816 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1817 @item info
1818 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823 @w{@code{help info}}.
1824
1825 @kindex set
1826 @item set
1827 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829 @code{set prompt $}.
1830
1831 @kindex show
1832 @item show
1833 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834 @value{GDBN} itself.
1835 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1839
1840 @kindex info set
1841 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1847 @end table
1848 @c @end group
1849
1850 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex show version
1855 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1856 @item show version
1857 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1865 @value{GDBN}.
1866
1867 @kindex show copying
1868 @kindex info copying
1869 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1870 @item show copying
1871 @itemx info copying
1872 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1873
1874 @kindex show warranty
1875 @kindex info warranty
1876 @item show warranty
1877 @itemx info warranty
1878 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1880
1881 @kindex show configuration
1882 @item show configuration
1883 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1888 your report.
1889
1890 @end table
1891
1892 @node Running
1893 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1894
1895 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896 debugging information when you compile it.
1897
1898 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901 kill a child process.
1902
1903 @menu
1904 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905 * Starting:: Starting your program
1906 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1908
1909 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1913
1914 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1917 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1918 @end menu
1919
1920 @node Compilation
1921 @section Compiling for Debugging
1922
1923 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927 and addresses in the executable code.
1928
1929 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1930 the compiler.
1931
1932 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936 executables containing debugging information.
1937
1938 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1943
1944 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1947
1948 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1954
1955 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1958
1959 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962 format in @value{GDBN}.
1963
1964 @need 2000
1965 @node Starting
1966 @section Starting your Program
1967 @cindex starting
1968 @cindex running
1969
1970 @table @code
1971 @kindex run
1972 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1973 @item run
1974 @itemx r
1975 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1980
1981 @end table
1982
1983 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988 message like this one:
1989
1990 @smallexample
1991 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992 Try "help target" or "continue".
1993 @end smallexample
1994
1995 @noindent
1996 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997 first (@pxref{load}).
1998
1999 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004 divided into four categories:
2005
2006 @table @asis
2007 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2008 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2012 the arguments.
2013 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2016
2017 @item The @emph{environment.}
2018 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2022
2023 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2024 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2027
2028 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032 set a different device for your program.
2033 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2034
2035 @cindex pipes
2036 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2039 wrong program.
2040 @end table
2041
2042 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2047
2048 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051 your current breakpoints.
2052
2053 @table @code
2054 @kindex start
2055 @item start
2056 @cindex run to main procedure
2057 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062 procedure, depending on the language used.
2063
2064 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066 the @samp{run} command.
2067
2068 @cindex elaboration phase
2069 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075 will remain to halt execution.
2076
2077 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2082
2083 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087 elaboration code before running your program.
2088
2089 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2090 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2092 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2100
2101 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2105
2106 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2108 environment:
2109
2110 @smallexample
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2112 (@value{GDBP}) run
2113 @end smallexample
2114
2115 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2117
2118 @kindex set disable-randomization
2119 @item set disable-randomization
2120 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2121 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2125
2126 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2128
2129 @smallexample
2130 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2131 @end smallexample
2132
2133 @item set disable-randomization off
2134 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2140
2141 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145 a code at its expected addresses.
2146
2147 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154 a randomly chosen address.
2155
2156 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2161
2162 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2164
2165 @item show disable-randomization
2166 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167 the virtual address space of the started program.
2168
2169 @end table
2170
2171 @node Arguments
2172 @section Your Program's Arguments
2173
2174 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2175 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2176 @code{run} command.
2177 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2182
2183 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186 the program, not by the shell.
2187
2188 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2190
2191 @table @code
2192 @kindex set args
2193 @item set args
2194 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198 it again without arguments.
2199
2200 @kindex show args
2201 @item show args
2202 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2203 @end table
2204
2205 @node Environment
2206 @section Your Program's Environment
2207
2208 @cindex environment (of your program)
2209 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2216
2217 @table @code
2218 @kindex path
2219 @item path @var{directory}
2220 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2227
2228 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233 @var{directory} to the search path.
2234 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2236
2237 @kindex show paths
2238 @item show paths
2239 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240 environment variable).
2241
2242 @kindex show environment
2243 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2248
2249 @kindex set environment
2250 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2256 null value.
2257 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2259
2260 For example, this command:
2261
2262 @smallexample
2263 set env USER = foo
2264 @end smallexample
2265
2266 @noindent
2267 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269 are not actually required.)
2270
2271 @kindex unset environment
2272 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2273 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2280 the shell indicated
2281 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2287 @file{.profile}.
2288
2289 @node Working Directory
2290 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2291
2292 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2293 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2298
2299 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2301 Specify Files}.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @kindex cd
2305 @cindex change working directory
2306 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2309
2310 @kindex pwd
2311 @item pwd
2312 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320 current working directory of the debuggee.
2321
2322 @node Input/Output
2323 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2324
2325 @cindex redirection
2326 @cindex i/o
2327 @cindex terminal
2328 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332 running your program.
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex info terminal
2336 @item info terminal
2337 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2338 program is using.
2339 @end table
2340
2341 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2343
2344 @smallexample
2345 run > outfile
2346 @end smallexample
2347
2348 @noindent
2349 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2350
2351 @kindex tty
2352 @cindex controlling terminal
2353 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2358
2359 @smallexample
2360 tty /dev/ttyb
2361 @end smallexample
2362
2363 @noindent
2364 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366 that as their controlling terminal.
2367
2368 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2370 terminal.
2371
2372 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2376
2377 @cindex inferior tty
2378 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2381 program.
2382
2383 @table @code
2384 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385 @kindex set inferior-tty
2386 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2387
2388 @item show inferior-tty
2389 @kindex show inferior-tty
2390 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2391 @end table
2392
2393 @node Attach
2394 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2395 @kindex attach
2396 @cindex attach
2397
2398 @table @code
2399 @item attach @var{process-id}
2400 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2405
2406 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407 executing the command.
2408 @end table
2409
2410 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2414
2415 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2420 Specify Files}.
2421
2422 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2429
2430 @table @code
2431 @kindex detach
2432 @item detach
2433 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439 executing the command.
2440 @end table
2441
2442 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2447 Messages}).
2448
2449 @node Kill Process
2450 @section Killing the Child Process
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex kill
2454 @item kill
2455 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2456 @end table
2457
2458 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2460 is running.
2461
2462 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465 outside the debugger.
2466
2467 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472 breakpoint settings).
2473
2474 @node Inferiors and Programs
2475 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2476
2477 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482 from multiple executables.
2483
2484 @cindex inferior
2485 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494 threads running in it.
2495
2496 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2497 inferiors}}:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex info inferiors
2501 @item info inferiors
2502 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2503
2504 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2505
2506 @enumerate
2507 @item
2508 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2509
2510 @item
2511 the target system's inferior identifier
2512
2513 @item
2514 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2515
2516 @end enumerate
2517
2518 @noindent
2519 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520 indicates the current inferior.
2521
2522 For example,
2523 @end table
2524 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2525
2526 @smallexample
2527 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2531 @end smallexample
2532
2533 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2534
2535 @table @code
2536 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537 @item inferior @var{infno}
2538 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2541 @end table
2542
2543
2544 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2550
2551 @table @code
2552 @kindex add-inferior
2553 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2559
2560 @kindex clone-inferior
2561 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2566
2567 @smallexample
2568 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2572 Added inferior 2.
2573 1 inferiors added.
2574 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2576 2 <null> helloworld
2577 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2578 @end smallexample
2579
2580 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2581
2582 @kindex remove-inferiors
2583 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2587
2588 @end table
2589
2590 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2594
2595 @table @code
2596 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2602
2603 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2609 @end table
2610
2611 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2615
2616
2617 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2619
2620 @table @code
2621 @kindex set print inferior-events
2622 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623 @item set print inferior-events
2624 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2625 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2626 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2630
2631 @kindex show print inferior-events
2632 @item show print inferior-events
2633 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2635 @end table
2636
2637 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2640
2641
2642 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645 info program-spaces}} command.
2646
2647 @table @code
2648 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2649 @item maint info program-spaces
2650 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2651 @value{GDBN}.
2652
2653 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2654
2655 @enumerate
2656 @item
2657 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2658
2659 @item
2660 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661 the @code{file} command.
2662
2663 @end enumerate
2664
2665 @noindent
2666 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667 indicates the current program space.
2668
2669 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2672
2673 @smallexample
2674 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2675 Id Executable
2676 2 goodbye
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2678 * 1 hello
2679 @end smallexample
2680
2681 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2689 Id Executable
2690 * 1 vfork-test
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2692 @end smallexample
2693
2694 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2696 @end table
2697
2698 @node Threads
2699 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2700
2701 @cindex threads of execution
2702 @cindex multiple threads
2703 @cindex switching threads
2704 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2711
2712 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2713 programs:
2714
2715 @itemize @bullet
2716 @item automatic notification of new threads
2717 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2722 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723 messages on thread start and exit.
2724 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726 isn't compatible with the program.
2727 @end itemize
2728
2729 @quotation
2730 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2735 like this:
2736
2737 @smallexample
2738 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2742 @end smallexample
2743 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744 @c doesn't support threads"?
2745 @end quotation
2746
2747 @cindex focus of debugging
2748 @cindex current thread
2749 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2754
2755 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2757 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2765
2766 @smallexample
2767 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2768 @end smallexample
2769
2770 @noindent
2771 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2773 further qualifier.
2774
2775 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2778 @c program?
2779 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781 @c threads ab initio?
2782
2783 @cindex thread number
2784 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2787
2788 @table @code
2789 @kindex info threads
2790 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2795
2796 @enumerate
2797 @item
2798 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2799
2800 @item
2801 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2802
2803 @item
2804 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2806 program itself.
2807
2808 @item
2809 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2810 @end enumerate
2811
2812 @noindent
2813 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814 indicates the current thread.
2815
2816 For example,
2817 @end table
2818 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2819
2820 @smallexample
2821 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2822 Id Target Id Frame
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2826 at threadtest.c:68
2827 @end smallexample
2828
2829 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830 Solaris-specific command:
2831
2832 @table @code
2833 @item maint info sol-threads
2834 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2835 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2837 @end table
2838
2839 @table @code
2840 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841 @item thread @var{threadno}
2842 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2847
2848 @smallexample
2849 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2852 8 printf ("hello\n");
2853 @end smallexample
2854
2855 @noindent
2856 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2858 threads.
2859
2860 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865 information on convenience variables.
2866
2867 @kindex thread apply
2868 @cindex apply command to several threads
2869 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2877
2878 @kindex thread name
2879 @cindex name a thread
2880 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2881 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2884
2885 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2890
2891 @kindex thread find
2892 @cindex search for a thread
2893 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895 matches the supplied regular expression.
2896
2897 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2900 is the LWP id.
2901
2902 @smallexample
2903 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2906 Id Target Id Frame
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2908 @end smallexample
2909
2910 @kindex set print thread-events
2911 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912 @item set print thread-events
2913 @itemx set print thread-events on
2914 @itemx set print thread-events off
2915 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2920
2921 @kindex show print thread-events
2922 @item show print thread-events
2923 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924 have started and exited.
2925 @end table
2926
2927 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929 programs with multiple threads.
2930
2931 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2933
2934 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2935 @table @code
2936 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2944 macro.
2945
2946 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2952
2953 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954 refers to the default system directories that are
2955 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2958
2959 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961 was loaded in the inferior process.
2962
2963 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2970
2971 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972 only on some platforms.
2973
2974 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2976 Display current libthread_db search path.
2977
2978 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2979 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2980 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981 @item set debug libthread-db
2982 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2983 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2985 @end table
2986
2987 @node Forks
2988 @section Debugging Forks
2989
2990 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991 @cindex multiple processes
2992 @cindex processes, multiple
2993 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999 will cause it to terminate.
3000
3001 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3011
3012 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3016
3017 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3019
3020 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3022
3023 @table @code
3024 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3029
3030 @table @code
3031 @item parent
3032 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033 unimpeded. This is the default.
3034
3035 @item child
3036 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3037 unimpeded.
3038
3039 @end table
3040
3041 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042 @item show follow-fork-mode
3043 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3044 @end table
3045
3046 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3047 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3049
3050 @table @code
3051 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3052 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054 retain debugger control over them both.
3055
3056 @table @code
3057 @item on
3058 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060 independently. This is the default.
3061
3062 @item off
3063 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3066 is held suspended.
3067
3068 @end table
3069
3070 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3071 @item show detach-on-fork
3072 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3073 @end table
3074
3075 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3081
3082 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3086 and Programs}.
3087
3088 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092 the child process's @code{main}.
3093
3094 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3096
3097 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3103 command.
3104
3105 @table @code
3106 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3108
3109 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3111
3112 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3113
3114 @table @code
3115 @item new
3116 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3119 original inferior.
3120
3121 For example:
3122
3123 @smallexample
3124 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3125 (gdb) info inferior
3126 Id Description Executable
3127 * 1 <null> prog1
3128 (@value{GDBP}) run
3129 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130 Program exited normally.
3131 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3133 * 2 <null> prog2
3134 1 <null> prog1
3135 @end smallexample
3136
3137 @item same
3138 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3143
3144 For example:
3145
3146 @smallexample
3147 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3149 * 1 <null> prog1
3150 (@value{GDBP}) run
3151 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152 Program exited normally.
3153 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3155 * 1 <null> prog2
3156 @end smallexample
3157
3158 @end table
3159 @end table
3160
3161 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3164
3165 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3166 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3167
3168 @cindex checkpoint
3169 @cindex restart
3170 @cindex bookmark
3171 @cindex snapshot of a process
3172 @cindex rewind program state
3173
3174 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3177 later.
3178
3179 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3184
3185 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190 start again from there.
3191
3192 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3194
3195 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3196
3197 @table @code
3198 @kindex checkpoint
3199 @item checkpoint
3200 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3203
3204 @kindex info checkpoints
3205 @item info checkpoints
3206 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3208 listed:
3209
3210 @table @code
3211 @item Checkpoint ID
3212 @item Process ID
3213 @item Code Address
3214 @item Source line, or label
3215 @end table
3216
3217 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3224
3225 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3228 the debugger.
3229
3230 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3233
3234 @end table
3235
3236 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242 previously read data can be read again.
3243
3244 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3250
3251 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254 different execution path this time.
3255
3256 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3257 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262 potentially pose a problem.
3263
3264 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3265
3266 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3271 next.
3272
3273 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3278
3279 @node Stopping
3280 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3281
3282 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3285
3286 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292 explicitly request this information at any time.
3293
3294 @table @code
3295 @kindex info program
3296 @item info program
3297 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3299 @end table
3300
3301 @menu
3302 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3306 * Signals:: Signals
3307 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3308 @end menu
3309
3310 @node Breakpoints
3311 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3312
3313 @cindex breakpoints
3314 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3320 program.
3321
3322 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3327 call).
3328
3329 @cindex watchpoints
3330 @cindex data breakpoints
3331 @cindex memory tracing
3332 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3342 same commands.
3343
3344 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3346 Automatic Display}.
3347
3348 @cindex catchpoints
3349 @cindex breakpoint on events
3350 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3357
3358 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3359 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3366 enable it again.
3367
3368 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3369 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3375
3376 @menu
3377 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3383 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3389 @end menu
3390
3391 @node Set Breaks
3392 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3393
3394 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3396 @c
3397 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3398
3399 @kindex break
3400 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402 @cindex latest breakpoint
3403 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407 convenience variables.
3408
3409 @table @code
3410 @item break @var{location}
3411 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3416
3417 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3420 that situation.
3421
3422 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3425
3426 @item break
3427 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3436 inside loops.
3437
3438 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442 existed when your program stopped.
3443
3444 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3451
3452 @kindex tbreak
3453 @item tbreak @var{args}
3454 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3458
3459 @kindex hbreak
3460 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3461 @item hbreak @var{args}
3462 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3480
3481 @kindex thbreak
3482 @item thbreak @var{args}
3483 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3491
3492 @kindex rbreak
3493 @cindex regular expression
3494 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3497 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3503
3504 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3510
3511 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3514 classes.
3515
3516 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3519
3520 @smallexample
3521 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3522 @end smallexample
3523
3524 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528 every function in a given file:
3529
3530 @smallexample
3531 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3532 @end smallexample
3533
3534 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3536
3537 @kindex info breakpoints
3538 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3545
3546 @table @emph
3547 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3548 @item Type
3549 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3550 @item Disposition
3551 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552 @item Enabled or Disabled
3553 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554 that are not enabled.
3555 @item Address
3556 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3562 @item What
3563 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3567 @end table
3568
3569 @noindent
3570 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3576
3577 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3581
3582 @noindent
3583 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3588
3589 @noindent
3590 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3596
3597 @noindent
3598 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3600
3601 @end table
3602
3603 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3607
3608 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3612
3613 @itemize @bullet
3614 @item
3615 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3616
3617 @item
3618 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3620
3621 @item
3622 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3624
3625 @item
3626 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627 several places where that function is inlined.
3628 @end itemize
3629
3630 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631 the relevant locations.
3632
3633 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3640
3641 For example:
3642
3643 @smallexample
3644 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3645 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3646 stop only if i==1
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3648 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3649 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3650 @end smallexample
3651
3652 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660 that belong to that breakpoint.
3661
3662 @cindex pending breakpoints
3663 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673 is not yet resolved.
3674
3675 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3681
3682 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3686
3687 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3690
3691 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693 address specification to an address:
3694
3695 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3696 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3697 @table @code
3698 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3699 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint pending on
3703 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3705
3706 @item set breakpoint pending off
3707 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3710
3711 @item show breakpoint pending
3712 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3713 @end table
3714
3715 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3718
3719 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3726 breakpoints.
3727
3728 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3729
3730 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3732 @table @code
3733 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736 breakpoint must be used.
3737
3738 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3742 @end table
3743
3744 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3753
3754 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3756 @table @code
3757 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760 removed from the target when it stops.
3761
3762 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3767
3768 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3775 @end table
3776
3777 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3780
3781 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3783
3784 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3785
3786 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3788 @table @code
3789 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3794
3795 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3808
3809 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3815 @end table
3816
3817
3818 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3826
3827
3828 @node Set Watchpoints
3829 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3830
3831 @cindex setting watchpoints
3832 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3837
3838 @itemize @bullet
3839 @item
3840 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3841
3842 @item
3843 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3846
3847 @item
3848 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3851 @end itemize
3852
3853 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861 the expression changes.
3862
3863 @cindex software watchpoints
3864 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3865 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3870 culprit.)
3871
3872 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3875
3876 @table @code
3877 @kindex watch
3878 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882 to watch the value of a single variable:
3883
3884 @smallexample
3885 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3886 @end smallexample
3887
3888 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3894
3895 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3902 error.
3903
3904 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3914 Examples:
3915
3916 @smallexample
3917 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3919 @end smallexample
3920
3921 @kindex rwatch
3922 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3924 by the program.
3925
3926 @kindex awatch
3927 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929 or written into by the program.
3930
3931 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3935 @end table
3936
3937 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940 a never-changing value:
3941
3942 @smallexample
3943 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3955
3956 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3957 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3964
3965 @table @code
3966 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3969
3970 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3973 @end table
3974
3975 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3978
3979 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3980
3981 @smallexample
3982 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3983 @end smallexample
3984
3985 @noindent
3986 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3987
3988 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994 will print a message like this:
3995
3996 @smallexample
3997 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4008
4009 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4015
4016 @smallexample
4017 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4018 @end smallexample
4019
4020 @noindent
4021 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4022
4023 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026 expression with separately allocated resources.
4027
4028 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4031
4032 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4041
4042 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4043 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4044 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045 watched expression from every thread.
4046
4047 @quotation
4048 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4057 @end quotation
4058
4059 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4060
4061 @node Set Catchpoints
4062 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4064 @cindex exception handlers
4065 @cindex event handling
4066
4067 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4070
4071 @table @code
4072 @kindex catch
4073 @item catch @var{event}
4074 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4075 @table @code
4076 @item throw
4077 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4078 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4079
4080 @item catch
4081 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4082
4083 @item exception
4084 @cindex Ada exception catching
4085 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4086 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4087 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4088 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4089 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4090
4091 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4092 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4093 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4094 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4095 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4096 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4097 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4098 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4099
4100 @item exception unhandled
4101 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4102
4103 @item assert
4104 A failed Ada assertion.
4105
4106 @item exec
4107 @cindex break on fork/exec
4108 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4109 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4110
4111 @item syscall
4112 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4113 @cindex break on a system call.
4114 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4115 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4116 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4117 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4118 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4119 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4120 will be caught.
4121
4122 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4123 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4124 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4125 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4126
4127 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4128 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4129 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4130 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4131
4132 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4133 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4134 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4135 available choices.
4136
4137 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4138 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4139 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4140 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4141 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4142 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4143 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4144 behind the OS upgrades).
4145
4146 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4147 arguments to it:
4148
4149 @smallexample
4150 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4151 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4152 (@value{GDBP}) r
4153 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4154
4155 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4156 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4157 (@value{GDBP}) c
4158 Continuing.
4159
4160 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4161 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4162 (@value{GDBP})
4163 @end smallexample
4164
4165 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4166
4167 @smallexample
4168 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4169 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4170 (@value{GDBP}) r
4171 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4172
4173 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4174 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4175 (@value{GDBP}) c
4176 Continuing.
4177
4178 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4179 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4180 (@value{GDBP})
4181 @end smallexample
4182
4183 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4184 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4185 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4186
4187 @smallexample
4188 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4189 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4190 (@value{GDBP}) r
4191 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4192
4193 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4194 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4195 (@value{GDBP}) c
4196 Continuing.
4197
4198 Program exited normally.
4199 (@value{GDBP})
4200 @end smallexample
4201
4202 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4203 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4204 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4205 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4206
4207 @smallexample
4208 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4209 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4210 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4211 (@value{GDBP})
4212 @end smallexample
4213
4214 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4215 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4216 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4217 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4218 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4219 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4220
4221 @smallexample
4222 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4223 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4224 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4225 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4226 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4227 (@value{GDBP})
4228 @end smallexample
4229
4230 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4231
4232 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4233 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4234
4235 @smallexample
4236 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4237 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4238 @end smallexample
4239
4240 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4241
4242 @item fork
4243 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4244 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4245
4246 @item vfork
4247 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4248 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4249
4250 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4251 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4252 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4253 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4254 matches one of the affected libraries.
4255
4256 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4257 The delivery of a signal.
4258
4259 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4260 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4261 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4262
4263 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4264 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4265 signal names.
4266
4267 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4268 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4269 will be caught.
4270
4271 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4272 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4273 catchpoint.
4274
4275 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4276 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4277 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4278 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4279 commands.
4280
4281 @end table
4282
4283 @item tcatch @var{event}
4284 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4285 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4286
4287 @end table
4288
4289 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4290
4291 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4292 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4293
4294 @itemize @bullet
4295 @item
4296 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4297 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4298 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4299 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4300 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4301 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4302 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4303 disabled within interactive calls.
4304
4305 @item
4306 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4307
4308 @item
4309 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4310 @end itemize
4311
4312 @cindex raise exceptions
4313 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4314 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4315 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4316 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4317 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4318 out where the exception was raised.
4319
4320 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4321 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4322 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4323 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4324
4325 @smallexample
4326 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4327 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4328 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4329 @end smallexample
4330
4331 @noindent
4332 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4333 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4334 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4335
4336 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4337 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4338 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4339 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4340 raised.
4341
4342
4343 @node Delete Breaks
4344 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4345
4346 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4347 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4348 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4349 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4350 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4351 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4352
4353 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4354 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4355 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4356 their breakpoint numbers.
4357
4358 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4359 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4360 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4361
4362 @table @code
4363 @kindex clear
4364 @item clear
4365 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4366 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4367 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4368 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4369
4370 @item clear @var{location}
4371 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4372 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4373 most useful ones are listed below:
4374
4375 @table @code
4376 @item clear @var{function}
4377 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4378 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4379
4380 @item clear @var{linenum}
4381 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4382 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4383 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4384 @end table
4385
4386 @cindex delete breakpoints
4387 @kindex delete
4388 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4389 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4390 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4391 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4392 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4393 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4394 @end table
4395
4396 @node Disabling
4397 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4398
4399 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4400 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4401 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4402 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4403 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4404
4405 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4406 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4407 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4408 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4409 do not know which numbers to use.
4410
4411 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4412 affects all of its locations.
4413
4414 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4415 different states of enablement:
4416
4417 @itemize @bullet
4418 @item
4419 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4420 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4421 @item
4422 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4423 @item
4424 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4425 disabled.
4426 @item
4427 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4428 N times, then becomes disabled.
4429 @item
4430 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4431 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4432 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4433 @end itemize
4434
4435 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4436 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4437
4438 @table @code
4439 @kindex disable
4440 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4441 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4442 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4443 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4444 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4445 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4446 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4447
4448 @kindex enable
4449 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4450 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4451 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4452
4453 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4454 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4455 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4456
4457 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4458 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4459 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4460 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4461 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4462 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4463 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4464
4465 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4466 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4467 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4468 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4469 @end table
4470
4471 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4472 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4473 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4474 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4475 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4476 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4477 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4478 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4479 Stepping}.)
4480
4481 @node Conditions
4482 @subsection Break Conditions
4483 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4484 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4485
4486 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4487 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4488 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4489 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4490 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4491 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4492 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4493 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4494
4495 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4496 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4497 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4498 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4499 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4500
4501 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4502 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4503 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4504 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4505 one.
4506
4507 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4508 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4509 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4510 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4511 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4512 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4513 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4514 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4515 conditions for the
4516 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4517 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4518
4519 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4520 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4521 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4522 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4523 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4524 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4525
4526 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4527 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4528 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4529 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4530 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4531
4532 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4533 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4534 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4535 with the @code{condition} command.
4536
4537 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4538 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4539 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4540 catchpoint.
4541
4542 @table @code
4543 @kindex condition
4544 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4545 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4546 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4547 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4548 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4549 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4550 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4551 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4552 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4553 prints an error message:
4554
4555 @smallexample
4556 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4557 @end smallexample
4558
4559 @noindent
4560 @value{GDBN} does
4561 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4562 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4563 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4564
4565 @item condition @var{bnum}
4566 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4567 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4568 @end table
4569
4570 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4571 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4572 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4573 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4574 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4575 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4576 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4577 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4578 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4579 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4580 your program reaches it.
4581
4582 @table @code
4583 @kindex ignore
4584 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4585 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4586 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4587 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4588 takes no action.
4589
4590 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4591 a count of zero.
4592
4593 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4594 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4595 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4596 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4597
4598 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4599 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4600 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4601
4602 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4603 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4604 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4605 Variables}.
4606 @end table
4607
4608 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4609
4610
4611 @node Break Commands
4612 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4613
4614 @cindex breakpoint commands
4615 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4616 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4617 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4618 enable other breakpoints.
4619
4620 @table @code
4621 @kindex commands
4622 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4623 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4624 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4625 @itemx end
4626 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4627 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4628 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4629
4630 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4631 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4632
4633 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4634 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4635 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4636 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4637 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4638 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4639 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4640 Expressions}).
4641 @end table
4642
4643 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4644 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4645
4646 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4647 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4648 that resumes execution.
4649
4650 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4651 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4652 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4653 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4654 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4655
4656 @kindex silent
4657 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4658 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4659 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4660 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4661 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4662 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4663
4664 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4665 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4666 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4667
4668 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4669 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4670
4671 @smallexample
4672 break foo if x>0
4673 commands
4674 silent
4675 printf "x is %d\n",x
4676 cont
4677 end
4678 @end smallexample
4679
4680 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4681 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4682 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4683 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4684 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4685 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4686 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4687
4688 @smallexample
4689 break 403
4690 commands
4691 silent
4692 set x = y + 4
4693 cont
4694 end
4695 @end smallexample
4696
4697 @node Dynamic Printf
4698 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4699
4700 @cindex dynamic printf
4701 @cindex dprintf
4702 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4703 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4704 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4705 having to recompile it.
4706
4707 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4708 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4709 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4710 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4711 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4712 redirects to files and so forth.
4713
4714 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4715 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4716 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4717 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4718 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4719 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4720 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4721
4722 @table @code
4723 @kindex dprintf
4724 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4725 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4726 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4727 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4728
4729 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4730 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4731 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4732 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4733 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4734 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4735
4736 @item gdb
4737 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4738 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4739
4740 @item call
4741 @kindex dprintf-style call
4742 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4743 @code{printf}).
4744
4745 @item agent
4746 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4747 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4748 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4749 support running commands on the target.
4750
4751 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4752 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4753 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4754 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4755 command.
4756
4757 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4758 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4759 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4760 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4761 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4762 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4763
4764 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4765 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4766 you could do the following:
4767
4768 @example
4769 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4770 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4771 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4772 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4773 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4774 (gdb) info break
4775 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4776 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4777 continue
4778 (gdb)
4779 @end example
4780
4781 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4782 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4783 the variable settings.
4784
4785 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4786 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4787 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4788 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4789 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4790 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4791
4792 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4793 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4794 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4795
4796 @end table
4797
4798 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4799 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4800 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4801 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4802 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4803 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4804
4805 @node Save Breakpoints
4806 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4807
4808 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4809 breakpoints}} command.
4810
4811 @table @code
4812 @kindex save breakpoints
4813 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4814 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4815 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4816 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4817 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4818 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4819 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4820 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4821 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4822 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4823 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4824 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4825 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4826 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4827 that can no longer be recreated.
4828 @end table
4829
4830 @node Static Probe Points
4831 @subsection Static Probe Points
4832
4833 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4834 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4835 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4836 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4837 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4838 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4839 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4840
4841 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4842 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4843 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4844 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4845 in your applications.
4846
4847 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4848 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4849 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4850 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4851 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4852 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4853 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4854 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4855
4856 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4857 probes}, with optional arguments:
4858
4859 @table @code
4860 @kindex info probes
4861 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4862 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4863 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4864 probes from all providers are listed.
4865
4866 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4867 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4868 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4869
4870 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4871 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4872 given, all object files are considered.
4873
4874 @item info probes all
4875 List the available static probes, from all types.
4876 @end table
4877
4878 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4879 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4880 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4881 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4882 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4883 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4884 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4885 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4886 at the current probe point.
4887
4888 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4889 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4890 an error message.
4891
4892
4893 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4894 @node Error in Breakpoints
4895 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4896
4897 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4898 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4899
4900 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4901 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4902 @smallexample
4903 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4904 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4905 @end smallexample
4906
4907 @noindent
4908 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4909 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4910 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4911
4912 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4913 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4914
4915 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4916 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4917 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4918
4919 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4920 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4921 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4922 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4923
4924 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4925 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4926 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4927 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4928 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4929 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4930 first in the bundle.
4931
4932 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4933 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4934 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4935 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4936 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4937 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4938 is hit.
4939
4940 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4941 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4942
4943 @smallexample
4944 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4945 @end smallexample
4946
4947 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4948 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4949 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4950 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4951 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4952 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4953 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4954 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4955
4956 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4957 adjusted breakpoints:
4958
4959 @smallexample
4960 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4961 to 0x00010410.
4962 @end smallexample
4963
4964 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4965 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4966 frequently than expected.
4967
4968 @node Continuing and Stepping
4969 @section Continuing and Stepping
4970
4971 @cindex stepping
4972 @cindex continuing
4973 @cindex resuming execution
4974 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4975 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4976 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4977 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4978 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4979 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4980 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4981 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4982
4983 @table @code
4984 @kindex continue
4985 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4986 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4987 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4988 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4989 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4991 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4992 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4993 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4994 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4995
4996 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4997 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4998 @code{continue} is ignored.
4999
5000 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5001 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5002 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5003 @code{continue}.
5004 @end table
5005
5006 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5007 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5008 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5009 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5010
5011 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5012 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5013 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5014 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5015 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5016 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5017
5018 @table @code
5019 @kindex step
5020 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5021 @item step
5022 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5023 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5024 abbreviated @code{s}.
5025
5026 @quotation
5027 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5028 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5029 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5030 @c distinction here.
5031 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5032 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5033 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5034 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5035 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5036 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5037 below.
5038 @end quotation
5039
5040 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5041 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5042 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5043 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5044 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5045 called within the line.
5046
5047 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5048 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5049 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5050 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5051 was any debugging information about the routine.
5052
5053 @item step @var{count}
5054 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5055 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5056 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5057
5058 @kindex next
5059 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5060 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5061 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5062 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5063 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5064 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5065 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5066 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5067
5068 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5069
5070
5071 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5072 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5073 @c
5074 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5075 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5076 @c function are executed without stopping.
5077
5078 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5079 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5080 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5081
5082 @kindex set step-mode
5083 @item set step-mode
5084 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5085 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5086 @itemx set step-mode on
5087 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5088 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5089 information rather than stepping over it.
5090
5091 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5092 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5093 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5094
5095 @item set step-mode off
5096 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5097 debug information. This is the default.
5098
5099 @item show step-mode
5100 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5101 source line debug information.
5102
5103 @kindex finish
5104 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5105 @item finish
5106 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5107 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5108 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5109
5110 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5111 ,Returning from a Function}).
5112
5113 @kindex until
5114 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5115 @cindex run until specified location
5116 @item until
5117 @itemx u
5118 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5119 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5120 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5121 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5122 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5123 than the address of the jump.
5124
5125 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5126 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5127 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5128 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5129 through the next iteration.
5130
5131 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5132 stack frame.
5133
5134 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5135 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5136 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5137 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5138 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5139
5140 @smallexample
5141 (@value{GDBP}) f
5142 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5143 206 expand_input();
5144 (@value{GDBP}) until
5145 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5146 @end smallexample
5147
5148 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5149 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5150 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5151 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5152 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5153 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5154 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5155
5156 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5157 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5158 argument.
5159
5160 @item until @var{location}
5161 @itemx u @var{location}
5162 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5163 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5164 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5165 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5166 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5167 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5168 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5169 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5170 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5171 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5172 invocations have returned.
5173
5174 @smallexample
5175 94 int factorial (int value)
5176 95 @{
5177 96 if (value > 1) @{
5178 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5179 98 @}
5180 99 return (value);
5181 100 @}
5182 @end smallexample
5183
5184
5185 @kindex advance @var{location}
5186 @item advance @var{location}
5187 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5188 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5189 @ref{Specify Location}.
5190 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5191 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5192 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5193 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5194
5195
5196 @kindex stepi
5197 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5198 @item stepi
5199 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5200 @itemx si
5201 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5202
5203 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5204 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5205 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5206 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5207
5208 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5209
5210 @need 750
5211 @kindex nexti
5212 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5213 @item nexti
5214 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5215 @itemx ni
5216 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5217 proceed until the function returns.
5218
5219 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5220 @end table
5221
5222 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5223 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5224 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5225
5226 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5227 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5228 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5229
5230 For example, consider the following C function:
5231
5232 @smallexample
5233 101 int func()
5234 102 @{
5235 103 foo(boring());
5236 104 bar(boring());
5237 105 @}
5238 @end smallexample
5239
5240 @noindent
5241 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5242 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5243 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5244 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5245
5246 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5247 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5248 is called from many places.
5249
5250 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5251 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5252 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5253 @code{foo}.
5254
5255 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5256 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5257
5258 @table @code
5259 @kindex skip function
5260 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5261 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5262 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5263 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5264 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5265
5266 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5267 will be skipped.
5268
5269 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5270 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5271
5272 @kindex skip file
5273 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5274 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5275 will be skipped over when stepping.
5276
5277 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5278 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5279 @end table
5280
5281 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5282 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5283
5284 @table @code
5285 @kindex info skip
5286 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5287 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5288 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5289 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5290
5291 @table @emph
5292 @item Identifier
5293 A number identifying this skip.
5294 @item Type
5295 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5296 @item Enabled or Disabled
5297 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5298 @item Address
5299 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5300 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5301 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5302 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5303 address here.
5304 @item What
5305 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5306 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5307 where it is defined.
5308 @end table
5309
5310 @kindex skip delete
5311 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5312 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5313 skips.
5314
5315 @kindex skip enable
5316 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5317 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5318 skips.
5319
5320 @kindex skip disable
5321 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5322 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5323 skips.
5324
5325 @end table
5326
5327 @node Signals
5328 @section Signals
5329 @cindex signals
5330
5331 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5332 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5333 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5334 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5335 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5336 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5337 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5338 requested an alarm).
5339
5340 @cindex fatal signals
5341 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5342 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5343 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5344 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5345 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5346 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5347
5348 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5349 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5350 signal.
5351
5352 @cindex handling signals
5353 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5354 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5355 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5356 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5357 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5358
5359 @table @code
5360 @kindex info signals
5361 @kindex info handle
5362 @item info signals
5363 @itemx info handle
5364 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5365 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5366 the defined types of signals.
5367
5368 @item info signals @var{sig}
5369 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5370
5371 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5372
5373 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5374 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5375 for details about this command.
5376
5377 @kindex handle
5378 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5379 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5380 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5381 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5382 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5383 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5384 say what change to make.
5385 @end table
5386
5387 @c @group
5388 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5389 Their full names are:
5390
5391 @table @code
5392 @item nostop
5393 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5394 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5395
5396 @item stop
5397 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5398 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5399
5400 @item print
5401 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5402
5403 @item noprint
5404 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5405 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5406
5407 @item pass
5408 @itemx noignore
5409 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5410 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5411 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5412
5413 @item nopass
5414 @itemx ignore
5415 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5416 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5417 @end table
5418 @c @end group
5419
5420 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5421 program until you
5422 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5423 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5424 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5425 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5426 program sees that signal when you continue.
5427
5428 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5429 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5430 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5431 erroneous signals.
5432
5433 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5434 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5435 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5436 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5437 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5438 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5439 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5440 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5441 Program a Signal}.
5442
5443 @cindex extra signal information
5444 @anchor{extra signal information}
5445
5446 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5447 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5448 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5449 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5450 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5451 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5452 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5453 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5454 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5455 system header.
5456
5457 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5458 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5459
5460 @smallexample
5461 @group
5462 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5463 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5464 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5465 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5466 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5467 type = struct @{
5468 int si_signo;
5469 int si_errno;
5470 int si_code;
5471 union @{
5472 int _pad[28];
5473 struct @{...@} _kill;
5474 struct @{...@} _timer;
5475 struct @{...@} _rt;
5476 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5477 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5478 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5479 @} _sifields;
5480 @}
5481 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5482 type = struct @{
5483 void *si_addr;
5484 @}
5485 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5486 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5487 @end group
5488 @end smallexample
5489
5490 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5491
5492 @node Thread Stops
5493 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5494
5495 @cindex stopped threads
5496 @cindex threads, stopped
5497
5498 @cindex continuing threads
5499 @cindex threads, continuing
5500
5501 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5502 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5503 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5504 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5505 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5506 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5507 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5508 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5509 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5510
5511 @menu
5512 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5513 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5514 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5515 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5516 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5517 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5518 @end menu
5519
5520 @node All-Stop Mode
5521 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5522
5523 @cindex all-stop mode
5524
5525 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5526 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5527 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5528 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5529 underfoot.
5530
5531 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5532 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5533 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5534
5535 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5536 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5537 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5538 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5539 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5540 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5541 stops.
5542
5543 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5544 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5545 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5546 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5547
5548 @cindex automatic thread selection
5549 @cindex switching threads automatically
5550 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5551 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5552 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5553 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5554 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5555 thread.
5556
5557 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5558 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5559
5560 @table @code
5561 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5562 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5563 @cindex lock scheduler
5564 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5565 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5566 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5567 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5568 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5569 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5570 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5571 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5572 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5573 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5574 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5575 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5576
5577 @item show scheduler-locking
5578 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5579 @end table
5580
5581 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5582 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5583 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5584 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5585 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5586 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5587 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5588 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5589 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5590 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5591 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5592 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5593 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5594 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5595
5596 @table @code
5597 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5598 @item set schedule-multiple
5599 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5600 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5601 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5602 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5603 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5604 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5605
5606 @item show schedule-multiple
5607 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5608 multiple processes.
5609 @end table
5610
5611 @node Non-Stop Mode
5612 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5613
5614 @cindex non-stop mode
5615
5616 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5617 @c with more details.
5618
5619 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5620 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5621 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5622 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5623 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5624 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5625
5626 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5627 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5628 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5629 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5630 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5631 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5632 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5633 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5634 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5635 independently and simultaneously.
5636
5637 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5638 or attach to your program:
5639
5640 @smallexample
5641 # Enable the async interface.
5642 set target-async 1
5643
5644 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5645 set pagination off
5646
5647 # Finally, turn it on!
5648 set non-stop on
5649 @end smallexample
5650
5651 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5652
5653 @table @code
5654 @kindex set non-stop
5655 @item set non-stop on
5656 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5657 @item set non-stop off
5658 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5659 @kindex show non-stop
5660 @item show non-stop
5661 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5662 @end table
5663
5664 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5665 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5666 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5667 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5668 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5669 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5670 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5671 default.
5672
5673 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5674 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5675 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5676
5677 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5678 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5679 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5680 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5681 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5682
5683 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5684 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5685 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5686 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5687 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5688
5689 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5690
5691 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5692 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5693 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5694 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5695 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5696 previously current thread.
5697
5698 @node Background Execution
5699 @subsection Background Execution
5700
5701 @cindex foreground execution
5702 @cindex background execution
5703 @cindex asynchronous execution
5704 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5705
5706 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5707 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5708 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5709 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5710 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5711 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5712
5713 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5714 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5715 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5716
5717 @table @code
5718 @kindex set target-async
5719 @item set target-async on
5720 Enable asynchronous mode.
5721 @item set target-async off
5722 Disable asynchronous mode.
5723 @kindex show target-async
5724 @item show target-async
5725 Show the current target-async setting.
5726 @end table
5727
5728 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5729 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5730
5731 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5732 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5733 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5734 are:
5735
5736 @table @code
5737 @kindex run&
5738 @item run
5739 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5740
5741 @item attach
5742 @kindex attach&
5743 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5744
5745 @item step
5746 @kindex step&
5747 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5748
5749 @item stepi
5750 @kindex stepi&
5751 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5752
5753 @item next
5754 @kindex next&
5755 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5756
5757 @item nexti
5758 @kindex nexti&
5759 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5760
5761 @item continue
5762 @kindex continue&
5763 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5764
5765 @item finish
5766 @kindex finish&
5767 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5768
5769 @item until
5770 @kindex until&
5771 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5772
5773 @end table
5774
5775 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5776 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5777 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5778 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5779 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5780 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5781
5782 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5783 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5784
5785 @table @code
5786 @kindex interrupt
5787 @item interrupt
5788 @itemx interrupt -a
5789
5790 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5791 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5792 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5793 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5794 @end table
5795
5796 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5797 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5798
5799 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5800 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5801 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5802
5803 @table @code
5804 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5805 @cindex thread breakpoints
5806 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5807 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5808 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5809 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5810 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5811 specify some source line.
5812
5813 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5814 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5815 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5816 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5817 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5818
5819 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5820 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5821 program.
5822
5823 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5824 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5825 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5826
5827 @smallexample
5828 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5829 @end smallexample
5830
5831 @end table
5832
5833 @node Interrupted System Calls
5834 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5835
5836 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5837 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5838 @cindex premature return from system calls
5839 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5840 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5841 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5842 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5843 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5844 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5845 stop execution.
5846
5847 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5848 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5849 style anyways.
5850
5851 For example, do not write code like this:
5852
5853 @smallexample
5854 sleep (10);
5855 @end smallexample
5856
5857 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5858 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5859
5860 Instead, write this:
5861
5862 @smallexample
5863 int unslept = 10;
5864 while (unslept > 0)
5865 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5866 @end smallexample
5867
5868 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5869 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5870 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5871 @value{GDBN}.
5872
5873 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5874 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5875 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5876 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5877
5878 @node Observer Mode
5879 @subsection Observer Mode
5880
5881 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5882 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5883 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5884 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5885 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5886
5887 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5888 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5889 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5890 mode.
5891
5892 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5893 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5894 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5895 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5896 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5897
5898 @table @code
5899
5900 @kindex observer
5901 @item set observer on
5902 @itemx set observer off
5903 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5904 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5905 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5906 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5907
5908 @item show observer
5909 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5910
5911 @kindex may-write-registers
5912 @item set may-write-registers on
5913 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5914 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5915 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5916 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5917
5918 @item show may-write-registers
5919 Show the current permission to write registers.
5920
5921 @kindex may-write-memory
5922 @item set may-write-memory on
5923 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5924 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5925 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5926 defaults to @code{on}.
5927
5928 @item show may-write-memory
5929 Show the current permission to write memory.
5930
5931 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5932 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5933 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5934 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5935 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5936 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5937
5938 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5939 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5940
5941 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5942 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5943 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5944 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5945 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5946 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5947 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5948
5949 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5950 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5951
5952 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5953 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5954 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5955 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5956 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5957 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5958 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5959
5960 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5961 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5962
5963 @kindex may-interrupt
5964 @item set may-interrupt on
5965 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5966 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5967 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5968 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5969 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5970
5971 @item show may-interrupt
5972 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5973
5974 @end table
5975
5976 @node Reverse Execution
5977 @chapter Running programs backward
5978 @cindex reverse execution
5979 @cindex running programs backward
5980
5981 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5982 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5983 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5984 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5985
5986 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5987 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5988 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5989 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5990 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5991 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5992
5993 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5994 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5995 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5996 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5997 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5998 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5999 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6000 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6001 prior values@footnote{
6002 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6003 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6004 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6005
6006 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6007 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6008 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6009 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6010 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6011 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6012 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6013 }.
6014
6015 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6016 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6017
6018 @table @code
6019 @kindex reverse-continue
6020 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6021 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6022 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6023 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6024 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6025 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6026 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6027
6028 @kindex reverse-step
6029 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6030 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6031 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6032 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6033
6034 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6035 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6036 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6037 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6038 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6039 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6040
6041 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6042 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6043
6044 @kindex reverse-stepi
6045 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6046 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6047 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6048 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6049 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6050 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6051 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6052
6053 @kindex reverse-next
6054 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6055 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6056 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6057 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6058 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6059 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6060 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6061 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6062 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6063 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6064
6065 @kindex reverse-nexti
6066 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6067 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6068 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6069 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6070 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6071 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6072 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6073 frame) is reached.
6074
6075 @kindex reverse-finish
6076 @item reverse-finish
6077 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6078 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6079 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6080 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6081
6082 @kindex set exec-direction
6083 @item set exec-direction
6084 Set the direction of target execution.
6085 @item set exec-direction reverse
6086 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6087 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6088 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6089 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6090 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6091 @item set exec-direction forward
6092 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6093 This is the default.
6094 @end table
6095
6096
6097 @node Process Record and Replay
6098 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6099 @cindex process record and replay
6100 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6101
6102 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6103 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6104 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6105
6106 @cindex replay mode
6107 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6108 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6109 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6110 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6111 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6112 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6113 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6114 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6115 execution log.
6116
6117 @cindex record mode
6118 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6119 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6120 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6121 for future replay.
6122
6123 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6124 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6125 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6126 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6127 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6128 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6129
6130 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6131 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6132 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6133 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6134
6135 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6136 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6137
6138 @table @code
6139 @kindex target record
6140 @kindex target record-full
6141 @kindex target record-btrace
6142 @kindex record
6143 @kindex record full
6144 @kindex record btrace
6145 @kindex rec
6146 @kindex rec full
6147 @kindex rec btrace
6148 @item record @var{method}
6149 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6150 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6151 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6152 recording methods are available:
6153
6154 @table @code
6155 @item full
6156 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6157 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6158 execution.
6159
6160 @item btrace
6161 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6162 replaying and reverse execution.
6163
6164 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6165 @end table
6166
6167 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6168 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6169 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6170 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6171
6172 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6173 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6174
6175 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6176 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6177 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6178 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6179 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6180
6181 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6182 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6183 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6184 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6185 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6186 does not support these two modes.
6187
6188 @kindex record stop
6189 @kindex rec s
6190 @item record stop
6191 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6192 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6193 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6194
6195 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6196 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6197 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6198 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6199 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6200
6201 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6202 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6203 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6204 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6205 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6206
6207 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6208 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6209
6210 @kindex record save
6211 @item record save @var{filename}
6212 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6213 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6214 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6215
6216 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6217
6218 @kindex record restore
6219 @item record restore @var{filename}
6220 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6221 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6222
6223 @kindex set record full
6224 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6225 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6226 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6227 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6228
6229 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6230 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6231 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6232 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6233 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6234 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6235 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6236 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6237
6238 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6239 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6240 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6241
6242 @kindex show record full
6243 @item show record full insn-number-max
6244 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6245 recording method.
6246
6247 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6248 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6249 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6250 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6251 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6252 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6253 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6254 oldest one to be deleted.
6255
6256 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6257 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6258
6259 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6260 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6261
6262 @item set record full memory-query
6263 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6264 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6265 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6266 case.
6267
6268 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6269 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6270 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6271 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6272 results.
6273
6274 @item show record full memory-query
6275 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6276
6277 @kindex info record
6278 @item info record
6279 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6280 method:
6281
6282 @table @code
6283 @item full
6284 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6285 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6286
6287 @itemize @bullet
6288 @item
6289 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6290 @item
6291 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6292 @item
6293 Highest recorded instruction number.
6294 @item
6295 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6296 @item
6297 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6298 @item
6299 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6300 @end itemize
6301
6302 @item btrace
6303 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6304 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6305 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6306 @end table
6307
6308 @kindex record delete
6309 @kindex rec del
6310 @item record delete
6311 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6312 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6313 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6314 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6315
6316 @kindex record instruction-history
6317 @kindex rec instruction-history
6318 @item record instruction-history
6319 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6320 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6321 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6322 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6323 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6324
6325 @table @code
6326 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6327 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6328 @var{insn}.
6329
6330 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6331 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6332 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6333 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6334 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6335 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6336
6337 @item record instruction-history
6338 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6339
6340 @item record instruction-history -
6341 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6342
6343 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6344 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6345 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6346 number @var{end} is not included.
6347 @end table
6348
6349 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6350
6351 @kindex set record
6352 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6353 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6354 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6355 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6356 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6357
6358 @kindex show record
6359 @item show record instruction-history-size
6360 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6361 instruction-history} command.
6362
6363 @kindex record function-call-history
6364 @kindex rec function-call-history
6365 @item record function-call-history
6366 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6367 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6368 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6369 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6370 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6371 the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6372
6373 @smallexample
6374 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6375 1 void foo (void)
6376 2 @{
6377 3 @}
6378 4
6379 5 void bar (void)
6380 6 @{
6381 7 ...
6382 8 foo ();
6383 9 ...
6384 10 @}
6385 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
6386 1 foo.c:6-8 bar
6387 2 foo.c:2-3 foo
6388 3 foo.c:9-10 bar
6389 @end smallexample
6390
6391 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6392 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6393 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6394 to print:
6395
6396 @table @code
6397 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6398 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6399
6400 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6401 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6402 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6403 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6404 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6405
6406 @item record function-call-history
6407 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6408
6409 @item record function-call-history -
6410 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6411
6412 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6413 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6414 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6415 included.
6416 @end table
6417
6418 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6419
6420 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6421 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6422 Define how many lines to print in the
6423 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6424 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6425
6426 @item show record function-call-history-size
6427 Show how many lines to print in the
6428 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6429 @end table
6430
6431
6432 @node Stack
6433 @chapter Examining the Stack
6434
6435 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6436 stopped and how it got there.
6437
6438 @cindex call stack
6439 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6440 is generated.
6441 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6442 the arguments of the call,
6443 and the local variables of the function being called.
6444 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6445 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6446 stack}.
6447
6448 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6449 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6450
6451 @cindex selected frame
6452 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6453 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6454 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6455 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6456 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6457 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6458
6459 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6460 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6461 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6462
6463 @menu
6464 * Frames:: Stack frames
6465 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6466 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6467 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6468
6469 @end menu
6470
6471 @node Frames
6472 @section Stack Frames
6473
6474 @cindex frame, definition
6475 @cindex stack frame
6476 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6477 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6478 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6479 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6480 which the function is executing.
6481
6482 @cindex initial frame
6483 @cindex outermost frame
6484 @cindex innermost frame
6485 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6486 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6487 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6488 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6489 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6490 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6491 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6492 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6493
6494 @cindex frame pointer
6495 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6496 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6497 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6498 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6499 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6500 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6501
6502 @cindex frame number
6503 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6504 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6505 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6506 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6507 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6508
6509 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6510 @c underflow problems.
6511 @cindex frameless execution
6512 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6513 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6514 @smallexample
6515 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6516 @end smallexample
6517 generates functions without a frame.)
6518 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6519 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6520 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6521 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6522 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6523 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6524 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6525
6526 @table @code
6527 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6528 @cindex current stack frame
6529 @item frame @var{args}
6530 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6531 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6532 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6533 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6534
6535 @kindex select-frame
6536 @cindex selecting frame silently
6537 @item select-frame
6538 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6539 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6540 @code{frame}.
6541 @end table
6542
6543 @node Backtrace
6544 @section Backtraces
6545
6546 @cindex traceback
6547 @cindex call stack traces
6548 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6549 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6550 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6551 stack.
6552
6553 @table @code
6554 @kindex backtrace
6555 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6556 @item backtrace
6557 @itemx bt
6558 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6559 frames in the stack.
6560
6561 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6562 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6563
6564 @item backtrace @var{n}
6565 @itemx bt @var{n}
6566 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6567
6568 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6569 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6570 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6571
6572 @item backtrace full
6573 @itemx bt full
6574 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6575 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6576 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6577 number of frames to print, as described above.
6578 @end table
6579
6580 @kindex where
6581 @kindex info stack
6582 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6583 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6584
6585 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6586 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6587 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6588 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6589 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6590 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6591 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6592 multi-threaded program.
6593
6594 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6595 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6596 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6597 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6598 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6599 line number.
6600
6601 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6602 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6603
6604 @smallexample
6605 @group
6606 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6607 at builtin.c:993
6608 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6609 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6610 at macro.c:71
6611 (More stack frames follow...)
6612 @end group
6613 @end smallexample
6614
6615 @noindent
6616 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6617 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6618 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6619
6620 @noindent
6621 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6622 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6623 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6624 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6625 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6626
6627 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6628 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6629 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6630 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6631 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6632 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6633 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6634 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6635 such a backtrace might look like:
6636
6637 @smallexample
6638 @group
6639 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6640 at builtin.c:993
6641 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6642 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6643 at macro.c:71
6644 (More stack frames follow...)
6645 @end group
6646 @end smallexample
6647
6648 @noindent
6649 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6650 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6651
6652 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6653 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6654 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6655
6656 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6657 @cindex program entry point
6658 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6659 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6660 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6661 @code{main}@footnote{
6662 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6663 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6664 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6665 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6666 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6667 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6668
6669 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6670 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6671
6672 @table @code
6673 @item set backtrace past-main
6674 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6675 @kindex set backtrace
6676 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6677
6678 @item set backtrace past-main off
6679 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6680 default.
6681
6682 @item show backtrace past-main
6683 @kindex show backtrace
6684 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6685
6686 @item set backtrace past-entry
6687 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6688 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6689 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6690 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6691
6692 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6693 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6694 application. This is the default.
6695
6696 @item show backtrace past-entry
6697 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6698
6699 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6700 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6701 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6702 @cindex backtrace limit
6703 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6704 or zero means unlimited levels.
6705
6706 @item show backtrace limit
6707 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6708 @end table
6709
6710 You can control how file names are displayed.
6711
6712 @table @code
6713 @item set filename-display
6714 @itemx set filename-display relative
6715 @cindex filename-display
6716 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6717
6718 @item set filename-display basename
6719 Display only basename of a filename.
6720
6721 @item set filename-display absolute
6722 Display an absolute filename.
6723
6724 @item show filename-display
6725 Show the current way to display filenames.
6726 @end table
6727
6728 @node Selection
6729 @section Selecting a Frame
6730
6731 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6732 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6733 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6734 of the stack frame just selected.
6735
6736 @table @code
6737 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6738 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6739 @item frame @var{n}
6740 @itemx f @var{n}
6741 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6742 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6743 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6744 @code{main}.
6745
6746 @item frame @var{addr}
6747 @itemx f @var{addr}
6748 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6749 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6750 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6751 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6752 switches between them.
6753
6754 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6755 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6756
6757 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6758 pointer and a program counter.
6759
6760 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6761 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6762
6763 @kindex up
6764 @item up @var{n}
6765 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6766 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6767 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6768
6769 @kindex down
6770 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6771 @item down @var{n}
6772 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6773 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6774 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6775 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6776 @end table
6777
6778 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6779 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6780 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6781 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6782
6783 @need 1000
6784 For example:
6785
6786 @smallexample
6787 @group
6788 (@value{GDBP}) up
6789 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6790 at env.c:10
6791 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6792 @end group
6793 @end smallexample
6794
6795 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6796 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6797 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6798 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6799 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6800 for details.
6801
6802 @table @code
6803 @kindex down-silently
6804 @kindex up-silently
6805 @item up-silently @var{n}
6806 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6807 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6808 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6809 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6810 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6811 distracting.
6812 @end table
6813
6814 @node Frame Info
6815 @section Information About a Frame
6816
6817 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6818 stack frame.
6819
6820 @table @code
6821 @item frame
6822 @itemx f
6823 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6824 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6825 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6826 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6827 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6828
6829 @kindex info frame
6830 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6831 @item info frame
6832 @itemx info f
6833 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6834 including:
6835
6836 @itemize @bullet
6837 @item
6838 the address of the frame
6839 @item
6840 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6841 @item
6842 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6843 @item
6844 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6845 @item
6846 the address of the frame's arguments
6847 @item
6848 the address of the frame's local variables
6849 @item
6850 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6851 @item
6852 which registers were saved in the frame
6853 @end itemize
6854
6855 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6856 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6857 the usual conventions.
6858
6859 @item info frame @var{addr}
6860 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6861 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6862 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6863 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6864 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6865 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6866
6867 @kindex info args
6868 @item info args
6869 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6870
6871 @item info locals
6872 @kindex info locals
6873 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6874 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6875 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6876
6877 @end table
6878
6879
6880 @node Source
6881 @chapter Examining Source Files
6882
6883 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6884 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6885 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6886 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6887 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6888 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6889 source files by explicit command.
6890
6891 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6892 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6893 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6894
6895 @menu
6896 * List:: Printing source lines
6897 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6898 * Edit:: Editing source files
6899 * Search:: Searching source files
6900 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6901 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6902 @end menu
6903
6904 @node List
6905 @section Printing Source Lines
6906
6907 @kindex list
6908 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6909 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6910 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6911 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6912 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6913
6914 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6915
6916 @table @code
6917 @item list @var{linenum}
6918 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6919 current source file.
6920
6921 @item list @var{function}
6922 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6923 @var{function}.
6924
6925 @item list
6926 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6927 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6928 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6929 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6930 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6931
6932 @item list -
6933 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6934 @end table
6935
6936 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6937 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6938 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6939
6940 @table @code
6941 @kindex set listsize
6942 @item set listsize @var{count}
6943 @itemx set listsize unlimited
6944 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6945 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6946 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
6947
6948 @kindex show listsize
6949 @item show listsize
6950 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6951 @end table
6952
6953 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6954 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6955 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6956 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6957 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6958
6959 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6960 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6961 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6962 to specify some source line.
6963
6964 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6965
6966 @table @code
6967 @item list @var{linespec}
6968 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6969
6970 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6971 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6972 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6973 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6974 the same source file as the first linespec.
6975
6976 @item list ,@var{last}
6977 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6978
6979 @item list @var{first},
6980 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6981
6982 @item list +
6983 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6984
6985 @item list -
6986 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6987
6988 @item list
6989 As described in the preceding table.
6990 @end table
6991
6992 @node Specify Location
6993 @section Specifying a Location
6994 @cindex specifying location
6995 @cindex linespec
6996
6997 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6998 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6999 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7000 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7001
7002 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7003 @value{GDBN} understands:
7004
7005 @table @code
7006 @item @var{linenum}
7007 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7008
7009 @item -@var{offset}
7010 @itemx +@var{offset}
7011 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7012 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7013 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7014 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7015 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7016 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7017 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7018 linespec.
7019
7020 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7021 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7022 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7023 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7024 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7025 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7026 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7027
7028 @item @var{function}
7029 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7030 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7031
7032 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7033 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7034
7035 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7036 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7037 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7038 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7039 functions in different source files.
7040
7041 @item @var{label}
7042 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7043 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7044 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7045 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7046 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7047
7048 @item *@var{address}
7049 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7050 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7051 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7052 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7053 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7054 source files.
7055
7056 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7057 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7058 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7059 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7060 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7061 of @var{address}:
7062
7063 @table @code
7064 @item @var{expression}
7065 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7066
7067 @item @var{funcaddr}
7068 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7069 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7070 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7071 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7072 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7073 (although the Pascal form also works).
7074
7075 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7076 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7077
7078 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7079 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7080 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7081 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7082 functions with identical names in different source files.
7083 @end table
7084
7085 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7086 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7087 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7088 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7089 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7090 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7091
7092 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7093 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7094 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7095 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7096 each one of those probes.
7097
7098 @end table
7099
7100
7101 @node Edit
7102 @section Editing Source Files
7103 @cindex editing source files
7104
7105 @kindex edit
7106 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7107 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7108 The editing program of your choice
7109 is invoked with the current line set to
7110 the active line in the program.
7111 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7112 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7113
7114 @table @code
7115 @item edit @var{location}
7116 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7117 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7118 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7119 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7120 command most commonly used:
7121
7122 @table @code
7123 @item edit @var{number}
7124 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7125
7126 @item edit @var{function}
7127 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7128 @end table
7129
7130 @end table
7131
7132 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7133 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7134 @footnote{
7135 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7136 following command-line syntax:
7137 @smallexample
7138 ex +@var{number} file
7139 @end smallexample
7140 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7141 the file where to start editing.}.
7142 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7143 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7144 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7145 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7146 @smallexample
7147 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7148 export EDITOR
7149 gdb @dots{}
7150 @end smallexample
7151 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7152 @smallexample
7153 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7154 gdb @dots{}
7155 @end smallexample
7156
7157 @node Search
7158 @section Searching Source Files
7159 @cindex searching source files
7160
7161 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7162 regular expression.
7163
7164 @table @code
7165 @kindex search
7166 @kindex forward-search
7167 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7168 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7169 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7170 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7171 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7172 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7173 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7174 @code{fo}.
7175
7176 @kindex reverse-search
7177 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7178 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7179 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7180 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7181 this command as @code{rev}.
7182 @end table
7183
7184 @node Source Path
7185 @section Specifying Source Directories
7186
7187 @cindex source path
7188 @cindex directories for source files
7189 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7190 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7191 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7192 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7193 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7194 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7195 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7196
7197 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7198 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7199 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7200 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7201 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7202 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7203 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7204 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7205 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7206 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7207 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7208
7209 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7210 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7211 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7212 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7213 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7214 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7215
7216 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7217 source files.
7218
7219 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7220 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7221 each line is in the file.
7222
7223 @kindex directory
7224 @kindex dir
7225 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7226 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7227 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7228
7229 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7230 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7231
7232 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7233 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7234 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7235 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7236 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7237 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7238 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7239 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7240 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7241 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7242 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7243 name to look up the sources.
7244
7245 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7246 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7247 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7248 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7249 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7250 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7251 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7252 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7253
7254 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7255 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7256 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7257 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7258 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7259 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7260 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7261
7262 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7263 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7264 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7265 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7266 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7267 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7268 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7269 command.
7270
7271 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7272 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7273 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7274 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7275 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7276 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7277 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7278
7279 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7280 @cindex default source path substitution
7281 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7282 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7283 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7284 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7285 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7286 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7287 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7288 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7289 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7290 together.
7291
7292 @table @code
7293 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7294 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7295 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7296 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7297 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7298 part of absolute file names) or
7299 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7300 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7301
7302 @kindex cdir
7303 @kindex cwd
7304 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7305 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7306 @cindex compilation directory
7307 @cindex current directory
7308 @cindex working directory
7309 @cindex directory, current
7310 @cindex directory, compilation
7311 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7312 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7313 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7314 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7315 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7316 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7317
7318 @item directory
7319 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7320
7321 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7322 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7323
7324 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7325 @kindex set directories
7326 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7327 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7328
7329 @item show directories
7330 @kindex show directories
7331 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7332
7333 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7334 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7335 @kindex set substitute-path
7336 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7337 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7338 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7339
7340 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7341 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7342
7343 @smallexample
7344 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7345 @end smallexample
7346
7347 @noindent
7348 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7349 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7350 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7351
7352 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7353 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7354 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7355 the substitution.
7356
7357 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7358
7359 @smallexample
7360 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7361 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7362 @end smallexample
7363
7364 @noindent
7365 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7366 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7367 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7368 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7369
7370
7371 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7372 @kindex unset substitute-path
7373 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7374 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7375 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7376
7377 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7378
7379 @item show substitute-path [path]
7380 @kindex show substitute-path
7381 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7382 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7383
7384 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7385 rules.
7386
7387 @end table
7388
7389 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7390 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7391 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7392
7393 @enumerate
7394 @item
7395 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7396
7397 @item
7398 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7399 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7400 directories in one command.
7401 @end enumerate
7402
7403 @node Machine Code
7404 @section Source and Machine Code
7405 @cindex source line and its code address
7406
7407 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7408 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7409 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7410 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7411 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7412 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7413 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7414 well as hex.
7415
7416 @table @code
7417 @kindex info line
7418 @item info line @var{linespec}
7419 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7420 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7421 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7422 @end table
7423
7424 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7425 the object code for the first line of function
7426 @code{m4_changequote}:
7427
7428 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7429 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7430 @smallexample
7431 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7432 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7433 @end smallexample
7434
7435 @noindent
7436 @cindex code address and its source line
7437 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7438 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7439 @smallexample
7440 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7441 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7442 @end smallexample
7443
7444 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7445 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7446 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7447 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7448 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7449 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7450 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7451 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7452 Variables}).
7453
7454 @table @code
7455 @kindex disassemble
7456 @cindex assembly instructions
7457 @cindex instructions, assembly
7458 @cindex machine instructions
7459 @cindex listing machine instructions
7460 @item disassemble
7461 @itemx disassemble /m
7462 @itemx disassemble /r
7463 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7464 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7465 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7466 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7467 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7468 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7469 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7470 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7471 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7472 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7473
7474 @table @code
7475 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7476 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7477 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7478 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7479 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7480 @end table
7481
7482 @noindent
7483 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7484 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7485
7486 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7487 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7488
7489 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7490 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7491 @end table
7492
7493 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7494 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7495
7496 @smallexample
7497 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7498 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7499 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7500 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7501 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7502 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7503 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7504 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7505 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7506 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7507 End of assembler dump.
7508 @end smallexample
7509
7510 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7511 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7512
7513 @smallexample
7514 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7515 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7516 5 @{
7517 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7518 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7519 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7520 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7521 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7522
7523 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7524 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7525 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7526
7527 7 return 0;
7528 8 @}
7529 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7530 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7531 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7532
7533 End of assembler dump.
7534 @end smallexample
7535
7536 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7537
7538 @smallexample
7539 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7540 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7541 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7542 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7543 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7544 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7545 End of assembler dump.
7546 @end smallexample
7547
7548 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7549 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7550 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7551 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7552
7553 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7554 mnemonics or other syntax.
7555
7556 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7557 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7558 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7559 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7560 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7561
7562 @table @code
7563 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7564 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7565 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7566 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7567 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7568 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7569
7570 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7571 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7572 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7573 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7574
7575 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7576 @item show disassembly-flavor
7577 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7578 @end table
7579
7580 @table @code
7581 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7582 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7583 @item set disassemble-next-line
7584 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7585 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7586 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7587 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7588 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7589 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7590 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7591 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7592 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7593 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7594 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7595 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7596 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7597 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7598 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7599 instruction.
7600 @end table
7601
7602
7603 @node Data
7604 @chapter Examining Data
7605
7606 @cindex printing data
7607 @cindex examining data
7608 @kindex print
7609 @kindex inspect
7610 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7611 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7612 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7613 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7614 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7615 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7616
7617 @table @code
7618 @item print @var{expr}
7619 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7620 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7621 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7622 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7623 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7624 Formats}.
7625
7626 @item print
7627 @itemx print /@var{f}
7628 @cindex reprint the last value
7629 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7630 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7631 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7632 @end table
7633
7634 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7635 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7636 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7637
7638 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7639 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7640 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7641 Table}.
7642
7643 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7644 @kindex explore
7645 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7646 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7647 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7648 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7649 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7650 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7651 embedded in the higher level data types.
7652
7653 @table @code
7654 @item explore @var{arg}
7655 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7656 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7657 @end table
7658
7659 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7660 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7661 C program as
7662
7663 @smallexample
7664 struct SimpleStruct
7665 @{
7666 int i;
7667 double d;
7668 @};
7669
7670 struct ComplexStruct
7671 @{
7672 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7673 int arr[10];
7674 @};
7675 @end smallexample
7676
7677 @noindent
7678 followed by variable declarations as
7679
7680 @smallexample
7681 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7682 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7683 @end smallexample
7684
7685 @noindent
7686 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7687 @code{explore} command as follows.
7688
7689 @smallexample
7690 (gdb) explore cs
7691 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7692 the following fields:
7693
7694 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7695 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7696
7697 Enter the field number of choice:
7698 @end smallexample
7699
7700 @noindent
7701 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7702 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7703 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7704 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7705 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7706 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7707 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7708 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7709
7710 @smallexample
7711 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7712 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7713 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7714 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7715
7716 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7717 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7718
7719 Press enter to return to parent value:
7720 @end smallexample
7721
7722 @noindent
7723 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7724 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7725 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7726 to explore.
7727
7728 @smallexample
7729 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7730 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7731
7732 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7733
7734 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7735
7736 Press enter to return to parent value:
7737 @end smallexample
7738
7739 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7740 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7741 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7742 level data structure).
7743
7744 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7745 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7746 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7747 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7748 same example as above, your can explore the type
7749 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7750 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7751
7752 @smallexample
7753 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7754 @end smallexample
7755
7756 @noindent
7757 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7758 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7759 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7760 example.
7761
7762 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7763 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7764 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7765 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7766 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7767
7768 @table @code
7769 @item explore value @var{expr}
7770 @cindex explore value
7771 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7772 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7773 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7774 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7775 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7776
7777 @item explore type @var{arg}
7778 @cindex explore type
7779 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7780 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7781 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7782 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7783 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7784 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7785 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7786 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7787 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7788 @end table
7789
7790 @menu
7791 * Expressions:: Expressions
7792 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7793 * Variables:: Program variables
7794 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7795 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7796 * Memory:: Examining memory
7797 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7798 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7799 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7800 * Value History:: Value history
7801 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7802 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7803 * Registers:: Registers
7804 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7805 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7806 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7807 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7808 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7809 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7810 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7811 character set than GDB does
7812 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7813 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7814 @end menu
7815
7816 @node Expressions
7817 @section Expressions
7818
7819 @cindex expressions
7820 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7821 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7822 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7823 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7824 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7825 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7826 @ref{Compilation}.
7827
7828 @cindex arrays in expressions
7829 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7830 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7831 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7832 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7833 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7834 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7835
7836 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7837 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7838 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7839 languages.
7840
7841 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7842 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7843
7844 @cindex casts, in expressions
7845 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7846 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7847 at that address in memory.
7848 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7849
7850 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7851 to programming languages:
7852
7853 @table @code
7854 @item @@
7855 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7856 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7857
7858 @item ::
7859 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7860 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7861
7862 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7863 @cindex type casting memory
7864 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7865 @cindex casts, to view memory
7866 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7867 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7868 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7869 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7870 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7871 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7872 @end table
7873
7874 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7875 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7876 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7877
7878 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7879 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7880 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7881 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7882 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7883 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7884 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7885
7886 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7887 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7888 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7889 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7890 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7891 as well.
7892
7893 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7894 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7895 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7896 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7897 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7898 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7899 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7900 choices.
7901
7902 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7903 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7904 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7905
7906 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7907 @smallexample
7908 @group
7909 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7910 [0] cancel
7911 [1] all
7912 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7913 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7914 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7915 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7916 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7917 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7918 > 2 4 6
7919 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7920 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7921 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7922 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7923 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7924 breakpoints.
7925 (@value{GDBP})
7926 @end group
7927 @end smallexample
7928
7929 @table @code
7930 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7931 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7932 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7933
7934 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7935 is ambiguous.
7936
7937 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7938 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7939 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7940 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7941 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7942 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7943 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7944 in the use of the menu.
7945
7946 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7947 when an ambiguity is detected.
7948
7949 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7950 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7951
7952 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7953 @item show multiple-symbols
7954 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7955 @end table
7956
7957 @node Variables
7958 @section Program Variables
7959
7960 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7961 in your program.
7962
7963 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7964 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7965
7966 @itemize @bullet
7967 @item
7968 global (or file-static)
7969 @end itemize
7970
7971 @noindent or
7972
7973 @itemize @bullet
7974 @item
7975 visible according to the scope rules of the
7976 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7977 @end itemize
7978
7979 @noindent This means that in the function
7980
7981 @smallexample
7982 foo (a)
7983 int a;
7984 @{
7985 bar (a);
7986 @{
7987 int b = test ();
7988 bar (b);
7989 @}
7990 @}
7991 @end smallexample
7992
7993 @noindent
7994 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7995 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7996 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7997 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7998
7999 @cindex variable name conflict
8000 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8001 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8002 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8003 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8004 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8005 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8006 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8007
8008 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8009 @ifnotinfo
8010 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8011 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8012 @end ifnotinfo
8013 @smallexample
8014 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8015 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8016 @end smallexample
8017
8018 @noindent
8019 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8020 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8021 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8022 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8023
8024 @smallexample
8025 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8026 @end smallexample
8027
8028 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8029 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8030 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8031 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8032 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8033
8034 @smallexample
8035 void
8036 foo (int a)
8037 @{
8038 if (a < 10)
8039 bar (a);
8040 else
8041 process (a); /* Stop here */
8042 @}
8043
8044 int
8045 bar (int a)
8046 @{
8047 foo (a + 5);
8048 @}
8049 @end smallexample
8050
8051 @noindent
8052 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8053 here is what you might see
8054 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8055
8056 @smallexample
8057 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8058 $1 = 10
8059 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8060 $2 = 5
8061 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8062 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8063 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8064 $3 = 5
8065 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8066 $4 = 0
8067 @end smallexample
8068
8069 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8070 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8071 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8072 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8073 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8074 @c conflict?? --mew
8075
8076 @cindex wrong values
8077 @cindex variable values, wrong
8078 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8079 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8080 @quotation
8081 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8082 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8083 scope, and just before exit.
8084 @end quotation
8085 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8086 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8087 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8088 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8089 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8090 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8091 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8092 variable definitions may be gone.
8093
8094 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8095 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8096 when compiling.
8097
8098 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8099 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8100 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8101 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8102 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8103 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8104 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8105
8106 @smallexample
8107 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8108 @end smallexample
8109
8110 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8111 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8112 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8113 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8114 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8115
8116 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8117 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8118 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8119 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8120
8121 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8122 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8123 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8124 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8125 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8126
8127 @smallexample
8128 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8129 29 i++;
8130 (gdb) next
8131 30 e (i);
8132 (gdb) print i
8133 $1 = 31
8134 (gdb) print i@@entry
8135 $2 = 30
8136 @end smallexample
8137
8138 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8139 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8140 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8141 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8142 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8143 For program code
8144
8145 @smallexample
8146 char var0[] = "A";
8147 signed char var1[] = "A";
8148 @end smallexample
8149
8150 You get during debugging
8151 @smallexample
8152 (gdb) print var0
8153 $1 = "A"
8154 (gdb) print var1
8155 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8156 @end smallexample
8157
8158 @node Arrays
8159 @section Artificial Arrays
8160
8161 @cindex artificial array
8162 @cindex arrays
8163 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8164 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8165 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8166 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8167 program.
8168
8169 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8170 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8171 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8172 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8173 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8174 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8175 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8176 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8177 example. If a program says
8178
8179 @smallexample
8180 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8181 @end smallexample
8182
8183 @noindent
8184 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8185
8186 @smallexample
8187 p *array@@len
8188 @end smallexample
8189
8190 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8191 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8192 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8193 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8194 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8195
8196 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8197 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8198 The value need not be in memory:
8199 @smallexample
8200 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8201 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8202 @end smallexample
8203
8204 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8205 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8206 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8207 @smallexample
8208 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8209 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8210 @end smallexample
8211
8212 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8213 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8214 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8215 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8216 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8217 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8218 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8219 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8220 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8221 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8222
8223 @smallexample
8224 set $i = 0
8225 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8226 @key{RET}
8227 @key{RET}
8228 @dots{}
8229 @end smallexample
8230
8231 @node Output Formats
8232 @section Output Formats
8233
8234 @cindex formatted output
8235 @cindex output formats
8236 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8237 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8238 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8239 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8240 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8241
8242 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8243 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8244 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8245 letters supported are:
8246
8247 @table @code
8248 @item x
8249 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8250 hexadecimal.
8251
8252 @item d
8253 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8254
8255 @item u
8256 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8257
8258 @item o
8259 Print as integer in octal.
8260
8261 @item t
8262 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8263 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8264 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8265 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8266
8267 @item a
8268 @cindex unknown address, locating
8269 @cindex locate address
8270 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8271 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8272 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8273
8274 @smallexample
8275 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8276 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8277 @end smallexample
8278
8279 @noindent
8280 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8281 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8282
8283 @item c
8284 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8285 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8286 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8287 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8288
8289 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8290 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8291 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8292 data.
8293
8294 @item f
8295 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8296 using typical floating point syntax.
8297
8298 @item s
8299 @cindex printing strings
8300 @cindex printing byte arrays
8301 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8302 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8303 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8304 natural types.
8305
8306 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8307 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8308 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8309 array.
8310
8311 @item r
8312 @cindex raw printing
8313 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8314 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8315 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8316 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8317 pretty-printer which might exist.
8318 @end table
8319
8320 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8321
8322 @smallexample
8323 p/x $pc
8324 @end smallexample
8325
8326 @noindent
8327 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8328 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8329
8330 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8331 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8332 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8333
8334 @node Memory
8335 @section Examining Memory
8336
8337 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8338 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8339
8340 @cindex examining memory
8341 @table @code
8342 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8343 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8344 @itemx x @var{addr}
8345 @itemx x
8346 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8347 @end table
8348
8349 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8350 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8351 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8352 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8353 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8354
8355 @table @r
8356 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8357 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8358 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8359 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8360 @c 4.1.2.
8361
8362 @item @var{f}, the display format
8363 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8364 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8365 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8366 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8367 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8368
8369 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8370 The unit size is any of
8371
8372 @table @code
8373 @item b
8374 Bytes.
8375 @item h
8376 Halfwords (two bytes).
8377 @item w
8378 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8379 @item g
8380 Giant words (eight bytes).
8381 @end table
8382
8383 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8384 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8385 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8386 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8387 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8388 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8389 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8390 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8391 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8392 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8393 be altered.
8394
8395 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8396 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8397 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8398 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8399 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8400 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8401 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8402 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8403 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8404 a value from memory).
8405 @end table
8406
8407 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8408 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8409 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8410 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8411 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8412
8413 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8414 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8415 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8416 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8417 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8418
8419 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8420 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8421 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8422 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8423 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8424 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8425 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8426 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8427 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8428
8429 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8430 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8431 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8432 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8433 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8434 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8435 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8436
8437 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8438 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8439
8440 @smallexample
8441 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8442 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8443 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8444 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8445 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8446 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8447 @end smallexample
8448
8449 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8450 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8451 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8452 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8453 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8454 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8455 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8456 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8457 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8458
8459 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8460 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8461 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8462
8463 @cindex remote memory comparison
8464 @cindex verify remote memory image
8465 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8466 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8467 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8468 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8469 situations.
8470
8471 @table @code
8472 @kindex compare-sections
8473 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8474 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8475 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8476 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8477 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8478 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8479 remote request.
8480 @end table
8481
8482 @node Auto Display
8483 @section Automatic Display
8484 @cindex automatic display
8485 @cindex display of expressions
8486
8487 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8488 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8489 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8490 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8491 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8492 The automatic display looks like this:
8493
8494 @smallexample
8495 2: foo = 38
8496 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8497 @end smallexample
8498
8499 @noindent
8500 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8501 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8502 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8503 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8504 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8505 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8506
8507 @table @code
8508 @kindex display
8509 @item display @var{expr}
8510 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8511 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8512
8513 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8514
8515 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8516 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8517 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8518 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8519 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8520
8521 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8522 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8523 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8524 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8525 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8526 @end table
8527
8528 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8529 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8530 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8531
8532 @table @code
8533 @kindex delete display
8534 @kindex undisplay
8535 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8536 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8537 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8538 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8539 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8540 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8541 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8542
8543 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8544 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8545
8546 @kindex disable display
8547 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8548 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8549 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8550 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8551 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8552 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8553 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8554 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8555
8556 @kindex enable display
8557 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8558 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8559 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8560 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8561 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8562 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8563 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8564
8565 @item display
8566 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8567 done when your program stops.
8568
8569 @kindex info display
8570 @item info display
8571 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8572 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8573 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8574 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8575 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8576 @end table
8577
8578 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8579 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8580 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8581 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8582 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8583 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8584 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8585 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8586 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8587 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8588 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8589
8590 @node Print Settings
8591 @section Print Settings
8592
8593 @cindex format options
8594 @cindex print settings
8595 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8596 and symbols are printed.
8597
8598 @noindent
8599 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8600
8601 @table @code
8602 @kindex set print
8603 @item set print address
8604 @itemx set print address on
8605 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8606 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8607 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8608 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8609 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8610 @code{set print address on}:
8611
8612 @smallexample
8613 @group
8614 (@value{GDBP}) f
8615 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8616 at input.c:530
8617 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8618 @end group
8619 @end smallexample
8620
8621 @item set print address off
8622 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8623 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8624
8625 @smallexample
8626 @group
8627 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8628 (@value{GDBP}) f
8629 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8630 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8631 @end group
8632 @end smallexample
8633
8634 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8635 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8636 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8637 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8638
8639 @kindex show print
8640 @item show print address
8641 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8642 @end table
8643
8644 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8645 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8646 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8647 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8648 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8649 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8650 it prints a symbolic address:
8651
8652 @table @code
8653 @item set print symbol-filename on
8654 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8655 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8656 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8657 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8658
8659 @item set print symbol-filename off
8660 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8661 default.
8662
8663 @item show print symbol-filename
8664 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8665 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8666 @end table
8667
8668 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8669 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8670 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8671
8672 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8673 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8674
8675 @table @code
8676 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8677 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8678 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8679 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8680 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8681 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8682 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8683 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8684
8685 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8686 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8687 symbolic address.
8688 @end table
8689
8690 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8691 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8692 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8693 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8694 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8695 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8696 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8697 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8698
8699 @smallexample
8700 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8701 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8702 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8703 @end smallexample
8704
8705 @quotation
8706 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8707 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8708 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8709 @end quotation
8710
8711 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8712 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8713
8714 @table @code
8715 @item set print symbol on
8716 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8717 one exists.
8718
8719 @item set print symbol off
8720 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8721 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8722 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8723
8724 @item show print symbol
8725 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8726 address.
8727 @end table
8728
8729 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8730
8731 @table @code
8732 @item set print array
8733 @itemx set print array on
8734 @cindex pretty print arrays
8735 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8736 but uses more space. The default is off.
8737
8738 @item set print array off
8739 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8740
8741 @item show print array
8742 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8743 arrays.
8744
8745 @cindex print array indexes
8746 @item set print array-indexes
8747 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8748 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8749 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8750 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8751
8752 @item set print array-indexes off
8753 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8754
8755 @item show print array-indexes
8756 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8757 arrays.
8758
8759 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8760 @itemx set print elements unlimited
8761 @cindex number of array elements to print
8762 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8763 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8764 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8765 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8766 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8767 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8768 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8769 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8770
8771 @item show print elements
8772 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8773 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8774
8775 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8776 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8777 @cindex printing frame argument values
8778 @cindex print all frame argument values
8779 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8780 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8781 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8782 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8783 values are:
8784
8785 @table @code
8786 @item all
8787 The values of all arguments are printed.
8788
8789 @item scalars
8790 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8791 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8792 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8793 only scalar arguments are shown:
8794
8795 @smallexample
8796 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8797 at frame-args.c:23
8798 @end smallexample
8799
8800 @item none
8801 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8802 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8803
8804 @smallexample
8805 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8806 at frame-args.c:23
8807 @end smallexample
8808 @end table
8809
8810 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8811 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8812 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8813 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8814 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8815 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8816 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8817 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8818 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8819 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8820
8821 @item show print frame-arguments
8822 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8823
8824 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8825 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8826 @kindex set print entry-values
8827 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8828 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8829 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8830 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8831 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8832
8833 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8834 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8835 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8836 @code{no} setting.
8837
8838 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8839 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8840 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8841 this information.
8842
8843 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8844
8845 @table @code
8846 @item no
8847 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8848 point.
8849 @smallexample
8850 #0 equal (val=5)
8851 #0 different (val=6)
8852 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8853 #0 born (val=10)
8854 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8855 @end smallexample
8856
8857 @item only
8858 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8859 values are never printed.
8860 @smallexample
8861 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8862 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8863 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8864 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8865 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8866 @end smallexample
8867
8868 @item preferred
8869 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8870 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8871 value for such parameter.
8872 @smallexample
8873 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8874 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8875 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8876 #0 born (val=10)
8877 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8878 @end smallexample
8879
8880 @item if-needed
8881 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8882 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8883 parameter.
8884 @smallexample
8885 #0 equal (val=5)
8886 #0 different (val=6)
8887 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8888 #0 born (val=10)
8889 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8890 @end smallexample
8891
8892 @item both
8893 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8894 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8895 optimizations.
8896 @smallexample
8897 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8898 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8899 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8900 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8901 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8902 @end smallexample
8903
8904 @item compact
8905 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8906 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8907 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8908 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8909 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8910 @smallexample
8911 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8912 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8913 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8914 #0 born (val=10)
8915 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8916 @end smallexample
8917
8918 @item default
8919 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8920 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8921 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8922 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8923 @smallexample
8924 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8925 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8926 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8927 #0 born (val=10)
8928 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8929 @end smallexample
8930 @end table
8931
8932 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8933 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8934
8935 @item show print entry-values
8936 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8937 entry.
8938
8939 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
8940 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
8941 @cindex repeated array elements
8942 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8943 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8944 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8945 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8946 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8947 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
8948 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
8949 is 10.
8950
8951 @item show print repeats
8952 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8953 elements.
8954
8955 @item set print null-stop
8956 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8957 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8958 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8959 contain only short strings.
8960 The default is off.
8961
8962 @item show print null-stop
8963 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8964 @sc{null} character.
8965
8966 @item set print pretty on
8967 @cindex print structures in indented form
8968 @cindex indentation in structure display
8969 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8970 per line, like this:
8971
8972 @smallexample
8973 @group
8974 $1 = @{
8975 next = 0x0,
8976 flags = @{
8977 sweet = 1,
8978 sour = 1
8979 @},
8980 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8981 @}
8982 @end group
8983 @end smallexample
8984
8985 @item set print pretty off
8986 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8987
8988 @smallexample
8989 @group
8990 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8991 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8992 @end group
8993 @end smallexample
8994
8995 @noindent
8996 This is the default format.
8997
8998 @item show print pretty
8999 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9000
9001 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9002 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9003 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9004 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9005 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9006 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9007 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9008 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9009
9010 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9011 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9012 international character sets, and is the default.
9013
9014 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9015 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9016
9017 @item set print union on
9018 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9019 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9020 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9021
9022 @item set print union off
9023 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9024 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9025 instead.
9026
9027 @item show print union
9028 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9029 structures and other unions.
9030
9031 For example, given the declarations
9032
9033 @smallexample
9034 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9035 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9036 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9037 Bug_forms;
9038
9039 struct thing @{
9040 Species it;
9041 union @{
9042 Tree_forms tree;
9043 Bug_forms bug;
9044 @} form;
9045 @};
9046
9047 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9048 @end smallexample
9049
9050 @noindent
9051 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9052
9053 @smallexample
9054 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9055 @end smallexample
9056
9057 @noindent
9058 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9059
9060 @smallexample
9061 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9062 @end smallexample
9063
9064 @noindent
9065 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9066 and in Pascal.
9067 @end table
9068
9069 @need 1000
9070 @noindent
9071 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9072
9073 @table @code
9074 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9075 @item set print demangle
9076 @itemx set print demangle on
9077 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9078 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9079 linkage. The default is on.
9080
9081 @item show print demangle
9082 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9083
9084 @item set print asm-demangle
9085 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9086 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9087 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9088 The default is off.
9089
9090 @item show print asm-demangle
9091 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9092 or demangled form.
9093
9094 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9095 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9096 @kindex set demangle-style
9097 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9098 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9099 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9100
9101 @table @code
9102 @item auto
9103 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9104 This is the default.
9105
9106 @item gnu
9107 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9108
9109 @item hp
9110 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9111
9112 @item lucid
9113 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9114
9115 @item arm
9116 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9117 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9118 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9119 require further enhancement to permit that.
9120
9121 @end table
9122 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9123
9124 @item show demangle-style
9125 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9126
9127 @item set print object
9128 @itemx set print object on
9129 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9130 @cindex display derived types
9131 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9132 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9133 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9134 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9135 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9136 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9137 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9138
9139 @item set print object off
9140 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9141 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9142
9143 @item show print object
9144 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9145
9146 @item set print static-members
9147 @itemx set print static-members on
9148 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9149 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9150
9151 @item set print static-members off
9152 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9153
9154 @item show print static-members
9155 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9156
9157 @item set print pascal_static-members
9158 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9159 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9160 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9161 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9162
9163 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9164 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9165
9166 @item show print pascal_static-members
9167 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9168
9169 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9170 @item set print vtbl
9171 @itemx set print vtbl on
9172 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9173 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9174 @cindex VTBL display
9175 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9176 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9177 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9178
9179 @item set print vtbl off
9180 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9181
9182 @item show print vtbl
9183 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9184 @end table
9185
9186 @node Pretty Printing
9187 @section Pretty Printing
9188
9189 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9190 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9191 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9192
9193 @menu
9194 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9195 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9196 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9197 @end menu
9198
9199 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9200 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9201
9202 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9203 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9204 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9205
9206 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9207 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9208 pretty-printers with their names.
9209 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9210 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9211 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9212 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9213
9214 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9215 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9216 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9217 do anything special.
9218
9219 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9220
9221 @itemize @bullet
9222 @item
9223 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9224 all inferiors.
9225
9226 @item
9227 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9228 when debugging that program.
9229 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9230
9231 @item
9232 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9233 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9234 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9235 @end itemize
9236
9237 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9238 pretty-printers are selected,
9239
9240 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9241 for new types.
9242
9243 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9244 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9245
9246 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9247
9248 @smallexample
9249 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9250 $1 = @{
9251 static npos = 4294967295,
9252 _M_dataplus = @{
9253 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9254 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9255 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9256 @},
9257 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9258 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9259 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9260 @}
9261 @}
9262 @end smallexample
9263
9264 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9265
9266 @smallexample
9267 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9268 $2 = "abcd"
9269 @end smallexample
9270
9271 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9272 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9273 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9274
9275 @table @code
9276 @kindex info pretty-printer
9277 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9278 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9279 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9280
9281 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9282 whose pretty-printers to list.
9283 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9284 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9285 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9286 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9287 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9288
9289 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9290 to list.
9291
9292 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9293 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9294 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9295 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9296
9297 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9298 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9299 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9300 @end table
9301
9302 Example:
9303
9304 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9305 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9306 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9307 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9308
9309 @smallexample
9310 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9311 library1.so:
9312 foo
9313 library2.so:
9314 bar
9315 bar1
9316 bar2
9317 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9318 library2.so:
9319 bar
9320 bar1
9321 bar2
9322 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9323 1 printer disabled
9324 2 of 3 printers enabled
9325 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9326 library1.so:
9327 foo [disabled]
9328 library2.so:
9329 bar
9330 bar1
9331 bar2
9332 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9333 1 printer disabled
9334 1 of 3 printers enabled
9335 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9336 library1.so:
9337 foo [disabled]
9338 library2.so:
9339 bar
9340 bar1 [disabled]
9341 bar2
9342 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9343 1 printer disabled
9344 0 of 3 printers enabled
9345 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9346 library1.so:
9347 foo [disabled]
9348 library2.so:
9349 bar [disabled]
9350 bar1 [disabled]
9351 bar2
9352 @end smallexample
9353
9354 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9355 as can each individual subprinter.
9356
9357 @node Value History
9358 @section Value History
9359
9360 @cindex value history
9361 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9362 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9363 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9364 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9365 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9366 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9367 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9368 symbol table.
9369
9370 @cindex @code{$}
9371 @cindex @code{$$}
9372 @cindex history number
9373 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9374 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9375 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9376 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9377 history number.
9378
9379 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9380 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9381 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9382 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9383 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9384 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9385 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9386
9387 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9388 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9389
9390 @smallexample
9391 p *$
9392 @end smallexample
9393
9394 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9395 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9396
9397 @smallexample
9398 p *$.next
9399 @end smallexample
9400
9401 @noindent
9402 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9403 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9404
9405 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9406 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9407
9408 @smallexample
9409 print x
9410 set x=5
9411 @end smallexample
9412
9413 @noindent
9414 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9415 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9416
9417 @table @code
9418 @kindex show values
9419 @item show values
9420 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9421 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9422 values} does not change the history.
9423
9424 @item show values @var{n}
9425 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9426
9427 @item show values +
9428 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9429 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9430 @end table
9431
9432 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9433 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9434
9435 @node Convenience Vars
9436 @section Convenience Variables
9437
9438 @cindex convenience variables
9439 @cindex user-defined variables
9440 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9441 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9442 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9443 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9444 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9445
9446 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9447 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9448 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9449 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9450 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9451
9452 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9453 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9454 For example:
9455
9456 @smallexample
9457 set $foo = *object_ptr
9458 @end smallexample
9459
9460 @noindent
9461 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9462 @code{object_ptr}.
9463
9464 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9465 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9466 value with another assignment at any time.
9467
9468 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9469 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9470 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9471 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9472
9473 @table @code
9474 @kindex show convenience
9475 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9476 @item show convenience
9477 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9478 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9479 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9480
9481 @kindex init-if-undefined
9482 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9483 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9484 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9485 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9486 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9487 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9488 override default values used in a command script.
9489
9490 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9491 any side-effects do not occur.
9492 @end table
9493
9494 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9495 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9496 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9497
9498 @smallexample
9499 set $i = 0
9500 print bar[$i++]->contents
9501 @end smallexample
9502
9503 @noindent
9504 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9505
9506 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9507 values likely to be useful.
9508
9509 @table @code
9510 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9511 @item $_
9512 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9513 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9514 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9515 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9516 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9517 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9518 to the type of @code{$__}.
9519
9520 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9521 @item $__
9522 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9523 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9524 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9525
9526 @item $_exitcode
9527 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9528 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9529 the program being debugged terminates.
9530
9531 @item $_probe_argc
9532 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9533 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9534
9535 @item $_sdata
9536 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9537 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9538 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9539 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9540 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9541
9542 @item $_siginfo
9543 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9544 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9545 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9546 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9547 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9548
9549 @item $_tlb
9550 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9551 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9552 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9553 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9554 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9555 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9556
9557 @end table
9558
9559 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9560 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9561 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9562
9563 @node Convenience Funs
9564 @section Convenience Functions
9565
9566 @cindex convenience functions
9567 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9568 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9569 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9570 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9571 @value{GDBN}.
9572
9573 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9574 @code{Python} support.
9575
9576 @table @code
9577
9578 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9579 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9580 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9581 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9582 Otherwise it returns zero.
9583
9584 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9585 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9586 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9587 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9588 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9589 regular expression support.
9590
9591 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9592 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9593 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9594 Otherwise it returns zero.
9595
9596 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9597 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9598 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9599
9600 @end table
9601
9602 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9603 convenience functions.
9604
9605 @table @code
9606 @item help function
9607 @kindex help function
9608 @cindex show all convenience functions
9609 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9610 @end table
9611
9612 @node Registers
9613 @section Registers
9614
9615 @cindex registers
9616 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9617 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9618 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9619 your machine.
9620
9621 @table @code
9622 @kindex info registers
9623 @item info registers
9624 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9625 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9626
9627 @kindex info all-registers
9628 @cindex floating point registers
9629 @item info all-registers
9630 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9631 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9632
9633 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9634 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9635 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9636 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9637 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9638 @end table
9639
9640 @cindex stack pointer register
9641 @cindex program counter register
9642 @cindex process status register
9643 @cindex frame pointer register
9644 @cindex standard registers
9645 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9646 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9647 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9648 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9649 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9650 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9651 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9652 you could print the program counter in hex with
9653
9654 @smallexample
9655 p/x $pc
9656 @end smallexample
9657
9658 @noindent
9659 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9660
9661 @smallexample
9662 x/i $pc
9663 @end smallexample
9664
9665 @noindent
9666 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9667 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9668 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9669 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9670 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9671 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9672 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9673
9674 @smallexample
9675 set $sp += 4
9676 @end smallexample
9677
9678 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9679 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9680 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9681 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9682 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9683 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9684 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9685
9686 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9687 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9688 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9689 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9690 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9691 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9692 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9693
9694 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9695 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9696 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9697 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9698 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9699 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9700 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9701 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9702 prints the data in both formats.
9703
9704 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9705 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9706 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9707 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9708 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9709 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9710 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9711
9712 @smallexample
9713 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9714 $1 = @{
9715 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9716 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9717 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9718 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9719 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9720 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9721 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9722 @}
9723 @end smallexample
9724
9725 @noindent
9726 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9727 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9728 value to a @code{struct} member:
9729
9730 @smallexample
9731 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9732 @end smallexample
9733
9734 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9735 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9736 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9737 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9738 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9739 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9740
9741 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9742 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9743 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9744 frame makes no difference.
9745
9746 @node Floating Point Hardware
9747 @section Floating Point Hardware
9748 @cindex floating point
9749
9750 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9751 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9752
9753 @table @code
9754 @kindex info float
9755 @item info float
9756 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9757 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9758 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9759 the ARM and x86 machines.
9760 @end table
9761
9762 @node Vector Unit
9763 @section Vector Unit
9764 @cindex vector unit
9765
9766 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9767 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9768
9769 @table @code
9770 @kindex info vector
9771 @item info vector
9772 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9773 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9774 @end table
9775
9776 @node OS Information
9777 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9778 @cindex OS information
9779
9780 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9781 you debug your program.
9782
9783 @cindex auxiliary vector
9784 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9785 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9786 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9787 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9788 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9789 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9790 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9791 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9792 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9793 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9794 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9795 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9796
9797 @table @code
9798 @kindex info auxv
9799 @item info auxv
9800 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9801 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9802 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9803 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9804 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9805 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9806 an unrecognized tag.
9807 @end table
9808
9809 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9810 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9811 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9812 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9813 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9814 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9815 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9816
9817 @table @code
9818 @kindex info os
9819 @item info os @var{infotype}
9820
9821 Display OS information of the requested type.
9822
9823 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9824
9825 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9826 @table @code
9827 @kindex info os processes
9828 @item processes
9829 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9830 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9831 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9832 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9833 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9834 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9835
9836 @kindex info os procgroups
9837 @item procgroups
9838 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9839 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9840 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9841 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9842 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9843 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9844 and the process group leader is listed first.
9845
9846 @kindex info os threads
9847 @item threads
9848 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9849 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9850 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9851 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9852 process is not listed.
9853
9854 @kindex info os files
9855 @item files
9856 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9857 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9858 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9859 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9860
9861 @kindex info os sockets
9862 @item sockets
9863 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9864 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9865 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9866 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9867 connection.
9868
9869 @kindex info os shm
9870 @item shm
9871 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9872 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9873 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9874 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9875 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9876 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9877 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9878
9879 @kindex info os semaphores
9880 @item semaphores
9881 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9882 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9883 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9884 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9885 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9886
9887 @kindex info os msg
9888 @item msg
9889 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9890 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9891 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9892 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9893 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9894 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9895 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9896 the message queue was last changed.
9897
9898 @kindex info os modules
9899 @item modules
9900 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9901 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9902 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9903 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9904 in memory.
9905 @end table
9906
9907 @item info os
9908 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9909 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9910 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9911 types, this command will report an error.
9912 @end table
9913
9914 @node Memory Region Attributes
9915 @section Memory Region Attributes
9916 @cindex memory region attributes
9917
9918 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9919 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9920 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9921 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9922 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9923 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9924 user can override the fetched regions.
9925
9926 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9927 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9928 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9929 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9930 all memory.
9931
9932 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9933 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9934
9935 @table @code
9936 @kindex mem
9937 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9938 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9939 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9940 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9941 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9942 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9943
9944 @item mem auto
9945 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9946 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9947
9948 @kindex delete mem
9949 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9950 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9951 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9952
9953 @kindex disable mem
9954 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9955 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9956 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9957 It may be enabled again later.
9958
9959 @kindex enable mem
9960 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9961 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9962
9963 @kindex info mem
9964 @item info mem
9965 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9966 for each region:
9967
9968 @table @emph
9969 @item Memory Region Number
9970 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9971 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9972 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9973
9974 @item Lo Address
9975 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9976
9977 @item Hi Address
9978 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9979
9980 @item Attributes
9981 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9982 @end table
9983 @end table
9984
9985
9986 @subsection Attributes
9987
9988 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9989 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9990 write accesses to a memory region.
9991
9992 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9993 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9994 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9995
9996 @table @code
9997 @item ro
9998 Memory is read only.
9999 @item wo
10000 Memory is write only.
10001 @item rw
10002 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10003 @end table
10004
10005 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10006 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10007 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10008 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10009 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10010
10011 @table @code
10012 @item 8
10013 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10014 @item 16
10015 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10016 @item 32
10017 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10018 @item 64
10019 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10020 @end table
10021
10022 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10023 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10024 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10025 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10026 @c
10027 @c @table @code
10028 @c @item hwbreak
10029 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10030 @c @item swbreak (default)
10031 @c @end table
10032
10033 @subsubsection Data Cache
10034 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10035 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10036 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10037 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10038 registers.
10039
10040 @table @code
10041 @item cache
10042 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10043 @item nocache
10044 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10045 @end table
10046
10047 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10048 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10049 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10050 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10051 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10052
10053 @table @code
10054 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10055 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10056 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10057 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10058 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10059 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10060 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10061 The default value is @code{on}.
10062 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10063 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10064 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10065 @end table
10066
10067
10068 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10069 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10070 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10071 @c
10072 @c @table @code
10073 @c @item verify
10074 @c @item noverify (default)
10075 @c @end table
10076
10077 @node Dump/Restore Files
10078 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10079 @cindex dump/restore files
10080 @cindex append data to a file
10081 @cindex dump data to a file
10082 @cindex restore data from a file
10083
10084 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10085 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10086 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10087 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10088 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10089 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10090 files.
10091
10092 @table @code
10093
10094 @kindex dump
10095 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10096 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10097 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10098 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10099
10100 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10101 @table @code
10102 @item binary
10103 Raw binary form.
10104 @item ihex
10105 Intel hex format.
10106 @item srec
10107 Motorola S-record format.
10108 @item tekhex
10109 Tektronix Hex format.
10110 @end table
10111
10112 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10113 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10114 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10115 form.
10116
10117 @kindex append
10118 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10119 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10120 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10121 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10122 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10123
10124 @kindex restore
10125 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10126 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10127 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10128 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10129 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10130
10131 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10132 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10133 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10134 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10135 from that location.
10136
10137 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10138 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10139 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10140 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10141
10142 @end table
10143
10144 @node Core File Generation
10145 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10146 @cindex dump core from inferior
10147
10148 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10149 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10150 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10151 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10152 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10153 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10154 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10155
10156 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10157 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10158 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10159
10160 @table @code
10161 @kindex gcore
10162 @kindex generate-core-file
10163 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10164 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10165 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10166 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10167 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10168 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10169
10170 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10171 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10172 @end table
10173
10174 @node Character Sets
10175 @section Character Sets
10176 @cindex character sets
10177 @cindex charset
10178 @cindex translating between character sets
10179 @cindex host character set
10180 @cindex target character set
10181
10182 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10183 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10184 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10185 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10186 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10187 @dfn{target character set}.
10188
10189 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10190 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10191 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10192 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10193 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10194 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10195 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10196 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10197 character and string literals in expressions.
10198
10199 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10200 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10201 target-charset} command, described below.
10202
10203 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10204 support:
10205
10206 @table @code
10207 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10208 @kindex set target-charset
10209 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10210 list of supported target character sets, type
10211 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10212
10213 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10214 @kindex set host-charset
10215 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10216
10217 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10218 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10219 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10220 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10221 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10222
10223 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10224 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10225 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10226
10227 @item set charset @var{charset}
10228 @kindex set charset
10229 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10230 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10231 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10232 for both host and target.
10233
10234 @item show charset
10235 @kindex show charset
10236 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10237
10238 @item show host-charset
10239 @kindex show host-charset
10240 Show the name of the current host character set.
10241
10242 @item show target-charset
10243 @kindex show target-charset
10244 Show the name of the current target character set.
10245
10246 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10247 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10248 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10249 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10250 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10251 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10252
10253 @item show target-wide-charset
10254 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10255 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10256 @end table
10257
10258 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10259 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10260 @file{charset-test.c}:
10261
10262 @smallexample
10263 #include <stdio.h>
10264
10265 char ascii_hello[]
10266 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10267 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10268 char ibm1047_hello[]
10269 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10270 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10271
10272 main ()
10273 @{
10274 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10275 @}
10276 @end smallexample
10277
10278 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10279 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10280 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10281
10282 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10283
10284 @smallexample
10285 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10286 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10287 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10288 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10289 @dots{}
10290 (@value{GDBP})
10291 @end smallexample
10292
10293 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10294 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10295 strings:
10296
10297 @smallexample
10298 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10299 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10300 (@value{GDBP})
10301 @end smallexample
10302
10303 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10304 initial character set:
10305 @smallexample
10306 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10307 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10308 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10309 (@value{GDBP})
10310 @end smallexample
10311
10312 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10313 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10314 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10315 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10316 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10317
10318 @smallexample
10319 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10320 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10321 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10322 $2 = 72 'H'
10323 (@value{GDBP})
10324 @end smallexample
10325
10326 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10327 literals you use in expressions:
10328
10329 @smallexample
10330 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10331 $3 = 43 '+'
10332 (@value{GDBP})
10333 @end smallexample
10334
10335 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10336 character.
10337
10338 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10339 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10340 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10341
10342 @smallexample
10343 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10344 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10345 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10346 $5 = 200 '\310'
10347 (@value{GDBP})
10348 @end smallexample
10349
10350 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10351 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10352
10353 @smallexample
10354 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10355 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10356 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10357 @end smallexample
10358
10359 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10360 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10361 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10362 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10363 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10364
10365 @smallexample
10366 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10367 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10368 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10369 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10370 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10371 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10372 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10373 $7 = 72 '\110'
10374 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10375 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10376 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10377 $9 = 200 'H'
10378 (@value{GDBP})
10379 @end smallexample
10380
10381 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10382 string literals you use in expressions:
10383
10384 @smallexample
10385 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10386 $10 = 78 '+'
10387 (@value{GDBP})
10388 @end smallexample
10389
10390 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10391 character.
10392
10393 @node Caching Remote Data
10394 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10395 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10396
10397 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10398 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10399 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10400 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10401 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10402 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10403 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10404 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10405 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10406 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10407 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10408 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10409 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10410 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10411 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10412
10413 @table @code
10414 @kindex set remotecache
10415 @item set remotecache on
10416 @itemx set remotecache off
10417 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10418 with old scripts.
10419
10420 @kindex show remotecache
10421 @item show remotecache
10422 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10423
10424 @kindex set stack-cache
10425 @item set stack-cache on
10426 @itemx set stack-cache off
10427 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10428 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10429
10430 @kindex show stack-cache
10431 @item show stack-cache
10432 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10433
10434 @kindex info dcache
10435 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10436 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10437 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10438 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10439 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10440 operation.
10441
10442 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10443 printed in hex.
10444
10445 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10446 @cindex dcache size
10447 @kindex set dcache size
10448 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10449
10450 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10451 @cindex dcache line-size
10452 @kindex set dcache line-size
10453 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10454 Must be a power of 2.
10455
10456 @item show dcache size
10457 @kindex show dcache size
10458 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10459
10460 @item show dcache line-size
10461 @kindex show dcache line-size
10462 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10463
10464 @end table
10465
10466 @node Searching Memory
10467 @section Search Memory
10468 @cindex searching memory
10469
10470 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10471 @code{find} command.
10472
10473 @table @code
10474 @kindex find
10475 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10476 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10477 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10478 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10479 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10480 @end table
10481
10482 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10483 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10484
10485 @table @r
10486 @item @var{s}, search query size
10487 The size of each search query value.
10488
10489 @table @code
10490 @item b
10491 bytes
10492 @item h
10493 halfwords (two bytes)
10494 @item w
10495 words (four bytes)
10496 @item g
10497 giant words (eight bytes)
10498 @end table
10499
10500 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10501 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10502 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10503
10504 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10505 value's type in the current language.
10506 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10507 pattern as a mixture of types.
10508 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10509 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10510 which is typically four bytes.
10511
10512 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10513 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10514 @end table
10515
10516 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10517 (@code{"}).
10518 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10519 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10520
10521 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10522 number of matches found.
10523
10524 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10525 @samp{$_}.
10526 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10527
10528 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10529
10530 @smallexample
10531 void
10532 hello ()
10533 @{
10534 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10535 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10536 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10537 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10538 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10539 @}
10540 @end smallexample
10541
10542 @noindent
10543 you get during debugging:
10544
10545 @smallexample
10546 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10547 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10548 1 pattern found
10549 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10550 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10551 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10552 2 patterns found
10553 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10554 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10555 1 pattern found
10556 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10557 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10558 1 pattern found
10559 (gdb) print $numfound
10560 $1 = 1
10561 (gdb) print $_
10562 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10563 @end smallexample
10564
10565 @node Optimized Code
10566 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10567 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10568 @cindex debugging optimized code
10569
10570 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10571 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10572 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10573 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10574 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10575 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10576 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10577
10578 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10579 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10580 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10581 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10582
10583 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10584 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10585 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10586 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10587 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10588 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10589
10590 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10591 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10592 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10593 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10594 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10595
10596 @menu
10597 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10598 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10599 @end menu
10600
10601 @node Inline Functions
10602 @section Inline Functions
10603 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10604
10605 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10606 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10607 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10608 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10609 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10610 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10611 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10612 @code{info frame} command.
10613
10614 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10615 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10616 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10617 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10618 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10619 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10620 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10621 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10622 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10623 local variables in the caller.
10624
10625 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10626 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10627 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10628 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10629 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10630 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10631 instructions are executed.
10632
10633 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10634 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10635 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10636 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10637
10638 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10639 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10640
10641 @itemize @bullet
10642 @item
10643 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10644 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10645 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10646 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10647 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10648 or inside the inlined function instead.
10649
10650 @item
10651 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10652 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10653 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10654 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10655
10656 @end itemize
10657
10658 @node Tail Call Frames
10659 @section Tail Call Frames
10660 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10661
10662 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10663 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10664 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10665 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10666 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10667
10668 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10669 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10670 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10671 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10672 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10673 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10674 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10675
10676 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10677 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10678 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10679 this information.
10680
10681 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10682 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10683
10684 @smallexample
10685 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10686 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10687 (gdb) info frame
10688 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10689 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10690 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10691 source language c++.
10692 Arglist at unknown address.
10693 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10694 @end smallexample
10695
10696 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10697 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10698 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10699 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10700 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10701 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10702
10703 @table @code
10704 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10705 @item set debug entry-values
10706 @kindex set debug entry-values
10707 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10708 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10709 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10710 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10711 result.
10712
10713 @item show debug entry-values
10714 @kindex show debug entry-values
10715 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10716 values at function entry and tail calls.
10717 @end table
10718
10719 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10720 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10721 reference by variable @code{x}):
10722
10723 @smallexample
10724 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10725 void (*x) (void) = c;
10726 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10727 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10728 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10729
10730 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10731 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10732 a () at t.c:3
10733 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10734 (gdb) bt
10735 #0 a () at t.c:3
10736 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10737 @end smallexample
10738
10739 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10740
10741 @smallexample
10742 int i;
10743 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10744 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10745 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10746 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10747 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10748 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10749 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10750 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10751
10752 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10753 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10754 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10755 (gdb) bt
10756 #0 f () at t.c:2
10757 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10758 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10759 @end smallexample
10760
10761 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10762 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10763
10764 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10765 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10766 @set ARROW @click{}
10767 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10768 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10769 @end ifset
10770 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10771 @set ARROW ->
10772 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10773 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10774 @end ifclear
10775
10776 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10777 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10778 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10779
10780 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10781 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10782 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10783 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10784 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10785 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10786
10787 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10788 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10789 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10790 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10791 omitted.
10792
10793 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10794 entry may fail:
10795
10796 @smallexample
10797 int v;
10798 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10799 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10800 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10801 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10802 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10803 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10804
10805 (gdb) bt
10806 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10807 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10808 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10809 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10810 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10811 @end smallexample
10812
10813 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10814 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10815 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10816 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10817 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10818
10819 @node Macros
10820 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10821
10822 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10823 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10824 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10825 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10826 where it was defined.
10827
10828 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10829 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10830 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10831 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10832
10833 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10834 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10835 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10836 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10837 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10838 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10839 see @ref{List}.
10840
10841 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10842 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10843 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10844
10845 @table @code
10846
10847 @kindex macro expand
10848 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10849 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10850 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10851 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10852 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10853 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10854 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10855 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10856 it can be any string of tokens.
10857
10858 @kindex macro exp1
10859 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10860 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10861 @cindex expand macro once
10862 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10863 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10864 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10865 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10866 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10867 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10868 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10869 can be any string of tokens.
10870
10871 @kindex info macro
10872 @cindex macro definition, showing
10873 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10874 @cindex macros, from debug info
10875 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10876 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10877 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10878 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10879 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10880 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10881
10882 @kindex info macros
10883 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10884 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10885 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10886 command-line where those definitions were established.
10887
10888 @kindex macro define
10889 @cindex user-defined macros
10890 @cindex defining macros interactively
10891 @cindex macros, user-defined
10892 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10893 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10894 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10895 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10896 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10897 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10898 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10899 @var{arglist}.
10900
10901 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10902 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10903 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10904 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10905 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10906
10907 @kindex macro undef
10908 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10909 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10910 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10911 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10912 in the program being debugged.
10913
10914 @kindex macro list
10915 @item macro list
10916 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10917 @end table
10918
10919 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10920 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10921 show our source files:
10922
10923 @smallexample
10924 $ cat sample.c
10925 #include <stdio.h>
10926 #include "sample.h"
10927
10928 #define M 42
10929 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10930
10931 main ()
10932 @{
10933 #define N 28
10934 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10935 #undef N
10936 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10937 #define N 1729
10938 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10939 @}
10940 $ cat sample.h
10941 #define Q <
10942 $
10943 @end smallexample
10944
10945 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10946 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10947 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10948 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10949 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10950 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10951 information.
10952
10953 @smallexample
10954 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10955 $
10956 @end smallexample
10957
10958 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10959
10960 @smallexample
10961 $ gdb -nw sample
10962 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10963 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10964 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10965 (@value{GDBP})
10966 @end smallexample
10967
10968 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10969 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10970 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10971
10972 @smallexample
10973 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10974 3
10975 4 #define M 42
10976 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10977 6
10978 7 main ()
10979 8 @{
10980 9 #define N 28
10981 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10982 11 #undef N
10983 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10984 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10985 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10986 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10987 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10988 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10989 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10990 #define Q <
10991 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10992 expands to: (42 + 1)
10993 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10994 expands to: once (M + 1)
10995 (@value{GDBP})
10996 @end smallexample
10997
10998 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10999 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11000 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11001 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11002
11003 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11004 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11005
11006 @smallexample
11007 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11008 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11009 (@value{GDBP}) run
11010 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11011
11012 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11013 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11014 (@value{GDBP})
11015 @end smallexample
11016
11017 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11018
11019 @smallexample
11020 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11021 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11022 #define N 28
11023 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11024 expands to: 28 < 42
11025 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11026 $1 = 1
11027 (@value{GDBP})
11028 @end smallexample
11029
11030 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11031 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11032 thereof) in force at each point:
11033
11034 @smallexample
11035 (@value{GDBP}) next
11036 Hello, world!
11037 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11038 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11039 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11040 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11041 (@value{GDBP}) next
11042 We're so creative.
11043 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11044 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11045 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11046 #define N 1729
11047 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11048 expands to: 1729 < 42
11049 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11050 $2 = 0
11051 (@value{GDBP})
11052 @end smallexample
11053
11054 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11055 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11056 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11057 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11058
11059 @smallexample
11060 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11061 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11062 -D__STDC__=1
11063 (@value{GDBP})
11064 @end smallexample
11065
11066
11067 @node Tracepoints
11068 @chapter Tracepoints
11069 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11070 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11071
11072 @cindex tracepoints
11073 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11074 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11075 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11076 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11077 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11078 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11079 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11080
11081 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11082 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11083 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11084 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11085 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11086 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11087 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11088 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11089 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11090 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11091 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11092
11093 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11094 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11095 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11096 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11097 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11098 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11099 Packets}.
11100
11101 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11102 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11103 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11104
11105 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11106
11107 @menu
11108 * Set Tracepoints::
11109 * Analyze Collected Data::
11110 * Tracepoint Variables::
11111 * Trace Files::
11112 @end menu
11113
11114 @node Set Tracepoints
11115 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11116
11117 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11118 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11119 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11120 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11121 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11122 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11123 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11124
11125 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11126 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11127 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11128 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11129 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11130 tracepoint was hit.
11131
11132 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11133 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11134 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11135 either.
11136
11137 @cindex fast tracepoints
11138 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11139 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11140 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11141
11142 @cindex static tracepoints
11143 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11144 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11145 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11146 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11147 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11148 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11149 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11150 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11151 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11152 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11153 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11154 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11155 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11156 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11157 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11158 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11159 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11160 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11161 static tracepoint marker.
11162
11163 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11164 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11165
11166 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11167 conditions and actions.
11168
11169 @menu
11170 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11171 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11172 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11173 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11174 * Trace State Variables::
11175 * Tracepoint Actions::
11176 * Listing Tracepoints::
11177 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11178 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11179 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11180 @end menu
11181
11182 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11183 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11184
11185 @table @code
11186 @cindex set tracepoint
11187 @kindex trace
11188 @item trace @var{location}
11189 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11190 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11191 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11192 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11193 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11194 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11195 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11196 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11197 in tracing}).
11198 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11199 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11200 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11201 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11202 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11203 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11204 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11205 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11206 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11207 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11208 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11209 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11210
11211 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11212
11213 @smallexample
11214 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11215
11216 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11217
11218 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11219
11220 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11221
11222 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11223 @end smallexample
11224
11225 @noindent
11226 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11227
11228 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11229 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11230 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11231 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11232 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11233 information on tracepoint conditions.
11234
11235 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11236 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11237 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11238 @kindex ftrace
11239 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11240 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11241 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11242 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11243 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11244 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11245 message.
11246
11247 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11248 @code{trace}.
11249
11250 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11251 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11252 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11253 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11254 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11255 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11256 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11257 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11258
11259 @example
11260 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11261 @end example
11262
11263 @noindent
11264 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11265 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11266
11267 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11268 @cindex set static tracepoint
11269 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11270 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11271 @kindex strace
11272 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11273 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11274 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11275 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11276 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11277
11278 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11279 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11280 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11281 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11282 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11283 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11284 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11285 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11286 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11287 tracing engine:
11288
11289 @smallexample
11290 main ()
11291 @{
11292 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11293 @}
11294 @end smallexample
11295
11296 @noindent
11297 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11298 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11299
11300 @smallexample
11301 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11302 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11303 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11304 Data: "str %s"
11305 [etc...]
11306 @end smallexample
11307
11308 @noindent
11309 so you may probe the marker above with:
11310
11311 @smallexample
11312 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11313 @end smallexample
11314
11315 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11316 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11317 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11318 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11319 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11320 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11321 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11322 the @samp{Data:} field.
11323
11324 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11325 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11326 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11327
11328 @vindex $tpnum
11329 @cindex last tracepoint number
11330 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11331 @cindex tracepoint number
11332 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11333 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11334
11335 @kindex delete tracepoint
11336 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11337 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11338 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11339 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11340 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11341
11342 Examples:
11343
11344 @smallexample
11345 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11346
11347 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11348 @end smallexample
11349
11350 @noindent
11351 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11352 @end table
11353
11354 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11355 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11356
11357 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11358
11359 @table @code
11360 @kindex disable tracepoint
11361 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11362 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11363 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11364 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11365 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11366 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11367 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11368 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11369 next trace experiment.
11370
11371 @kindex enable tracepoint
11372 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11373 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11374 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11375 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11376 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11377 next time a trace experiment is run.
11378 @end table
11379
11380 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11381 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11382
11383 @table @code
11384 @kindex passcount
11385 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11386 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11387 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11388 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11389 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11390 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11391 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11392 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11393 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11394 user.
11395
11396 Examples:
11397
11398 @smallexample
11399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11400 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11401
11402 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11403 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11404 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11405 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11406 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11407 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11408 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11409 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11410 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11411 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11412 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11413 @end smallexample
11414 @end table
11415
11416 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11417 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11418 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11419 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11420
11421 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11422 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11423 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11424 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11425 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11426 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11427 is true.
11428
11429 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11430 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11431 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11432 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11433 just as with breakpoints.
11434
11435 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11436 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11437 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11438 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11439 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11440 accesses, and so forth.
11441
11442 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11443 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11444 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11445 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11446 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11447 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11448 search through.
11449
11450 @smallexample
11451 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11452 @end smallexample
11453
11454 @node Trace State Variables
11455 @subsection Trace State Variables
11456 @cindex trace state variables
11457
11458 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11459 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11460 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11461 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11462 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11463 integers.
11464
11465 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11466 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11467 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11468 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11469
11470 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11471 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11472 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11473 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11474 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11475 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11476 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11477 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11478 variable with the same name.
11479
11480 @table @code
11481
11482 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11483 @kindex tvariable
11484 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11485 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11486 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11487 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11488 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11489 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11490 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11491 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11492 value. The default initial value is 0.
11493
11494 @item info tvariables
11495 @kindex info tvariables
11496 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11497 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11498 currently running.
11499
11500 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11501 @kindex delete tvariable
11502 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11503 are specified.
11504
11505 @end table
11506
11507 @node Tracepoint Actions
11508 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11509
11510 @table @code
11511 @kindex actions
11512 @cindex tracepoint actions
11513 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11514 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11515 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11516 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11517 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11518 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11519 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11520 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11521 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11522 @code{while-stepping}.
11523
11524 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11525 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11526 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11527
11528 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11529 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11530 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11531
11532 @smallexample
11533 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11534
11535 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11536
11537 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11538 @end smallexample
11539
11540 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11541 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11542 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11543 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11544 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11545 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11546 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11547 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11548
11549 @smallexample
11550 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11551 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11552 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11553 > collect bar,baz
11554 > collect $regs
11555 > while-stepping 12
11556 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11557 > end
11558 end
11559 @end smallexample
11560
11561 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11562 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11563 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11564 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11565 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11566 special arguments are supported:
11567
11568 @table @code
11569 @item $regs
11570 Collect all registers.
11571
11572 @item $args
11573 Collect all function arguments.
11574
11575 @item $locals
11576 Collect all local variables.
11577
11578 @item $_ret
11579 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11580 of a backtrace.
11581
11582 @item $_probe_argc
11583 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11584 tracepoint is located.
11585 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11586
11587 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11588 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11589 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11590 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11591
11592 @item $_sdata
11593 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11594 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11595 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11596 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11597 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11598 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11599 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11600 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11601 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11602
11603 @smallexample
11604 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11605 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11606 @end smallexample
11607
11608 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11609 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11610 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11611 @value{GDBN}.
11612 @end table
11613
11614 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11615 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11616 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11617
11618 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11619 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11620 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11621 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11622 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11623 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11624 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11625 @samp{mystr}.
11626
11627 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11628 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11629
11630 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11631 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11632 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11633 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11634 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11635 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11636 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11637 action were used.
11638
11639 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11640 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11641 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11642 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11643 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11644 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11645
11646 @smallexample
11647 > while-stepping 12
11648 > collect $regs, myglobal
11649 > end
11650 >
11651 @end smallexample
11652
11653 @noindent
11654 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11655 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11656 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11657 @code{stepping}.
11658
11659 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11660 @kindex set default-collect
11661 @cindex default collection action
11662 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11663 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11664 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11665 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11666 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11667 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11668
11669 @item show default-collect
11670 @kindex show default-collect
11671 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11672 tracepoint hit.
11673
11674 @end table
11675
11676 @node Listing Tracepoints
11677 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11678
11679 @table @code
11680 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11681 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11682 @cindex information about tracepoints
11683 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11684 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11685 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11686 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11687 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11688 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11689
11690 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11691 tracing:
11692
11693 @itemize @bullet
11694 @item
11695 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11696
11697 @item
11698 the state about installed on target of each location
11699 @end itemize
11700
11701 @smallexample
11702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11703 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11704 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11705 while-stepping 20
11706 collect globfoo, $regs
11707 end
11708 collect globfoo2
11709 end
11710 pass count 1200
11711 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11712 collect $eip
11713 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11714 installed on target
11715 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11716 installed on target
11717 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
11718 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11719 not installed on target
11720 (@value{GDBP})
11721 @end smallexample
11722
11723 @noindent
11724 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11725 @end table
11726
11727 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11728 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11729
11730 @table @code
11731 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11732 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11733 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11734 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11735 program.
11736
11737 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11738
11739 @table @emph
11740 @item Count
11741 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11742 stable identifier.
11743 @item ID
11744 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11745 @item Enabled or Disabled
11746 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11747 that are not enabled.
11748 @item Address
11749 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11750 @item What
11751 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11752 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11753 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11754 will be left blank.
11755 @end table
11756
11757 @noindent
11758 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11759
11760 @table @emph
11761 @item Data
11762 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11763 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11764 marker call.
11765 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11766 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11767 @end table
11768
11769 @smallexample
11770 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11771 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11772 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11773 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11774 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11775 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11776 Data: str %s
11777 (@value{GDBP})
11778 @end smallexample
11779 @end table
11780
11781 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11782 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11783
11784 @table @code
11785 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11786 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11787 @cindex collected data discarded
11788 @item tstart
11789 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11790 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11791 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11792 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11793 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11794 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11795 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11796 information, and so forth.
11797
11798 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11799 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11800 @item tstop
11801 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11802 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11803 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11804 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11805 needs to be stopped quickly.
11806
11807 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11808 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11809 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11810
11811 @kindex tstatus
11812 @cindex status of trace data collection
11813 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11814 @item tstatus
11815 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11816 collection.
11817 @end table
11818
11819 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11820
11821 @smallexample
11822 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11823 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11824 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11825 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11826 > while-stepping 11
11827 > collect $regs
11828 > end
11829 > end
11830 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11831 [time passes @dots{}]
11832 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11833 @end smallexample
11834
11835 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11836 @cindex disconnected tracing
11837 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11838 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11839 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11840 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11841 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11842 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11843 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11844 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11845
11846 @table @code
11847 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11848 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11849 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11850 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11851 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11852 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11853 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11854 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11855
11856 @item show disconnected-tracing
11857 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11858 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11859
11860 @end table
11861
11862 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11863 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11864 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11865 it will continue after reconnection.
11866
11867 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11868 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11869 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11870 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11871 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11872 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11873 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11874 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11875 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11876 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11877
11878 @cindex circular trace buffer
11879 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11880 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11881 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11882 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11883 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11884 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11885 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11886 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11887 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11888 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11889 the next run.
11890
11891 @table @code
11892 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11893 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11894 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11895 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11896 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11897 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11898 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11899
11900 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11901 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11902 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11903 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11904 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11905 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11906
11907 @end table
11908
11909 @table @code
11910 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
11911 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
11912 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
11913 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
11914 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
11915 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
11916 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
11917 likes. This is also the default.
11918
11919 @item show trace-buffer-size
11920 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
11921 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
11922 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
11923 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
11924 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
11925 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
11926 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
11927 @end table
11928
11929 @table @code
11930 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11931 @kindex set trace-user
11932
11933 @item show trace-user
11934 @kindex show trace-user
11935
11936 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11937 @kindex set trace-notes
11938 Set the trace run's notes.
11939
11940 @item show trace-notes
11941 @kindex show trace-notes
11942 Show the trace run's notes.
11943
11944 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11945 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11946 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11947 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11948 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11949
11950 @item show trace-stop-notes
11951 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11952 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11953
11954 @end table
11955
11956 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11957 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11958
11959 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11960 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11961 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11962 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11963 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11964 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11965 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11966 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11967 mentioned here.
11968
11969 @itemize @bullet
11970
11971 @item
11972 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11973 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11974 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11975 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11976 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11977 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11978 cannot be collected either.
11979
11980 @item
11981 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11982 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11983 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11984 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11985 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11986 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11987 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11988 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11989 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11990 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11991
11992 @item
11993 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11994 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11995 in a misleading way.
11996
11997 @item
11998 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11999 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12000 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12001 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12002 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12003 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12004 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12005 by @code{ptr}.
12006
12007 @item
12008 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12009 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12010 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12011 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12012 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12013 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12014 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12015 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12016 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12017 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12018 invalid address.
12019
12020 @item
12021 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12022 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12023 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12024 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12025 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12026 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12027 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12028 it to zero.
12029
12030 @end itemize
12031
12032 @node Analyze Collected Data
12033 @section Using the Collected Data
12034
12035 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12036 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12037 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12038 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12039 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12040 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12041 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12042 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12043 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12044 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12045 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12046 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12047 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12048 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12049 the buffer will fail.
12050
12051 @menu
12052 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12053 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12054 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12055 @end menu
12056
12057 @node tfind
12058 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12059
12060 @kindex tfind
12061 @cindex select trace snapshot
12062 @cindex find trace snapshot
12063 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12064 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12065 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12066 snapshot is selected.
12067
12068 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12069
12070 @table @code
12071 @item tfind start
12072 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12073 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12074
12075 @item tfind none
12076 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12077
12078 @item tfind end
12079 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12080
12081 @item tfind
12082 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12083
12084 @item tfind -
12085 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12086 retracing earlier steps.
12087
12088 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12089 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12090 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12091 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12092 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12093
12094 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12095 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12096 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12097 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12098 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12099
12100 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12101 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12102 addresses (exclusive).
12103
12104 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12105 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12106 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12107
12108 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12109 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12110 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12111 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12112 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12113 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12114 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12115 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12116 @end table
12117
12118 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12119 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12120 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12121 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12122 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12123 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12124 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12125 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12126 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12127 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12128 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12129 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12130 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12131 tracepoint as the current one.
12132
12133 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12134 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12135 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12136 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12137 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12138
12139 @smallexample
12140 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12141 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12142 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12143 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12144 > tfind
12145 > end
12146
12147 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12148 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12149 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12150 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12151 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12152 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12153 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12154 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12155 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12156 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12157 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12158 @end smallexample
12159
12160 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12161 the buffer:
12162
12163 @smallexample
12164 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12165 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12166 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12167 > tfind line
12168 > end
12169
12170 Frame 0, X = 1
12171 Frame 7, X = 2
12172 Frame 13, X = 255
12173 @end smallexample
12174
12175 @node tdump
12176 @subsection @code{tdump}
12177 @kindex tdump
12178 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12179 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12180
12181 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12182 the current trace snapshot.
12183
12184 @smallexample
12185 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12186 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12187 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12188 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12189 > end
12190
12191 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12192
12193 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12194 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12195 at gdb_test.c:444
12196 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12197
12198 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12199 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12200 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12201 d1 0x18 24
12202 d2 0x80 128
12203 d3 0x33 51
12204 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12205 d5 0x22 34
12206 d6 0xe0 224
12207 d7 0x380035 3670069
12208 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12209 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12210 a2 0x100 256
12211 a3 0x322000 3284992
12212 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12213 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12214 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12215 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12216 ps 0x0 0
12217 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12218 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12219 fpstatus 0x0 0
12220 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12221 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12222 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12223 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12224 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12225 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12226 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12227 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12228 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12229
12230 (@value{GDBP})
12231 @end smallexample
12232
12233 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12234 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12235 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12236 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12237
12238 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12239 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12240 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12241 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12242 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12243 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12244 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12245 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12246 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12247 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12248
12249 @node save tracepoints
12250 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12251 @kindex save tracepoints
12252 @kindex save-tracepoints
12253 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12254
12255 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12256 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12257 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12258 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12259 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12260 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12261
12262 @node Tracepoint Variables
12263 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12264 @cindex tracepoint variables
12265 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12266
12267 @table @code
12268 @vindex $trace_frame
12269 @item (int) $trace_frame
12270 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12271 snapshot is selected.
12272
12273 @vindex $tracepoint
12274 @item (int) $tracepoint
12275 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12276
12277 @vindex $trace_line
12278 @item (int) $trace_line
12279 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12280
12281 @vindex $trace_file
12282 @item (char []) $trace_file
12283 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12284
12285 @vindex $trace_func
12286 @item (char []) $trace_func
12287 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12288 @end table
12289
12290 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12291 use @code{output} instead.
12292
12293 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12294 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12295 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12296 which are managed by the target.
12297
12298 @smallexample
12299 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12300
12301 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12302 > output $trace_file
12303 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12304 > tfind
12305 > end
12306 @end smallexample
12307
12308 @node Trace Files
12309 @section Using Trace Files
12310 @cindex trace files
12311
12312 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12313 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12314 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12315 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12316 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12317
12318 @table @code
12319
12320 @kindex tsave
12321 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12322 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12323 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12324 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12325 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12326 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12327 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12328 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12329 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12330 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12331 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12332 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12333 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12334 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12335 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12336
12337 @kindex target tfile
12338 @kindex tfile
12339 @kindex target ctf
12340 @kindex ctf
12341 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12342 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12343 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12344 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12345 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12346 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12347 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12348 @var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12349 the host.
12350
12351 @smallexample
12352 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12353 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
12354 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
12355 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12356 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
12357 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12358 i = 0
12359 a = 0
12360 b = 1 '\001'
12361 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12362 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12363 (@value{GDBP}) p b
12364 $1 = 1
12365 @end smallexample
12366
12367 @end table
12368
12369 @node Overlays
12370 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12371 @cindex overlays
12372
12373 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12374 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12375 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12376 use overlays.
12377
12378 @menu
12379 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12380 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12381 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12382 mapped by asking the inferior.
12383 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12384 @end menu
12385
12386 @node How Overlays Work
12387 @section How Overlays Work
12388 @cindex mapped overlays
12389 @cindex unmapped overlays
12390 @cindex load address, overlay's
12391 @cindex mapped address
12392 @cindex overlay area
12393
12394 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12395 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12396 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12397 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12398 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12399
12400 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12401 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12402 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12403 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12404 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12405 largest overlay as well.
12406
12407 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12408 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12409 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12410 there.
12411
12412 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12413 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12414 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12415
12416 @smallexample
12417 @group
12418 Data Instruction Larger
12419 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12420 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12421 | | | | | |
12422 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12423 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12424 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12425 | and heap | | | | | |
12426 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12427 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12428 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12429 | | | | | |
12430 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12431 address | | | | | |
12432 | overlay | <-' | | |
12433 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12434 | | <---. | | load address
12435 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12436 | | | |
12437 +-----------+ | |
12438 +-----------+
12439 | |
12440 +-----------+
12441
12442 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12443 @end group
12444 @end smallexample
12445
12446 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12447 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12448 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12449 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12450 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12451 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12452 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12453 program and the overlay area.
12454
12455 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12456 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12457 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12458 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12459 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12460 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12461 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12462
12463 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12464 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12465 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12466
12467 @itemize @bullet
12468
12469 @item
12470 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12471 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12472 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12473 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12474
12475 @item
12476 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12477 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12478 your program's performance.
12479
12480 @item
12481 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12482 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12483 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12484 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12485 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12486 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12487 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12488
12489 @item
12490 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12491 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12492 instruction and data spaces.
12493
12494 @end itemize
12495
12496 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12497 improved in many ways:
12498
12499 @itemize @bullet
12500
12501 @item
12502 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12503 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12504 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12505 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12506 area in the usual way.
12507
12508 @item
12509 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12510 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12511
12512 @item
12513 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12514 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12515 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12516 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12517 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12518 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12519 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12520
12521 @end itemize
12522
12523
12524 @node Overlay Commands
12525 @section Overlay Commands
12526
12527 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12528 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12529 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12530 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12531 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12532 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12533
12534 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12535 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12536
12537 @table @code
12538 @item overlay off
12539 @kindex overlay
12540 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12541 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12542 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12543 overlay support is disabled.
12544
12545 @item overlay manual
12546 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12547 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12548 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12549 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12550 commands described below.
12551
12552 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12553 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12554 @cindex map an overlay
12555 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12556 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12557 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12558 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12559 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12560 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12561
12562 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12563 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12564 @cindex unmap an overlay
12565 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12566 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12567 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12568 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12569
12570 @item overlay auto
12571 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12572 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12573 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12574 Overlay Debugging}.
12575
12576 @item overlay load-target
12577 @itemx overlay load
12578 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12579 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12580 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12581 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12582 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12583 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12584
12585 @item overlay list-overlays
12586 @itemx overlay list
12587 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12588 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12589 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12590
12591 @end table
12592
12593 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12594 of the function the address falls in:
12595
12596 @smallexample
12597 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12598 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12599 @end smallexample
12600 @noindent
12601 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12602 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12603 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12604 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12605
12606 @smallexample
12607 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12608 No sections are mapped.
12609 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12610 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12611 @end smallexample
12612 @noindent
12613 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12614 name normally:
12615
12616 @smallexample
12617 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12618 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12619 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12620 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12621 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12622 @end smallexample
12623
12624 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12625 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12626 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12627 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12628 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12629
12630 @itemize @bullet
12631 @item
12632 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12633 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12634 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12635 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12636 @item
12637 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12638 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12639 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12640 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12641 breakpoints properly.
12642 @end itemize
12643
12644
12645 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12646 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12647 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12648
12649 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12650 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12651 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12652 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12653 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12654 current state of the overlays.
12655
12656 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12657 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12658
12659 @table @asis
12660
12661 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12662 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12663
12664 @smallexample
12665 struct
12666 @{
12667 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12668 unsigned long vma;
12669
12670 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12671 unsigned long size;
12672
12673 /* The overlay's load address. */
12674 unsigned long lma;
12675
12676 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12677 zero otherwise. */
12678 unsigned long mapped;
12679 @}
12680 @end smallexample
12681
12682 @item @code{_novlys}:
12683 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12684 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12685
12686 @end table
12687
12688 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12689 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12690 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12691 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12692 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12693 currently mapped.
12694
12695 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12696 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12697 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12698 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12699 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12700 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12701 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12702 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12703 are not being executed.
12704
12705 @node Overlay Sample Program
12706 @section Overlay Sample Program
12707 @cindex overlay example program
12708
12709 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12710 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12711 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12712 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12713 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12714 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12715 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12716
12717 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12718 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12719 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12720 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12721
12722 @table @file
12723 @item overlays.c
12724 The main program file.
12725 @item ovlymgr.c
12726 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12727 @item foo.c
12728 @itemx bar.c
12729 @itemx baz.c
12730 @itemx grbx.c
12731 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12732 @item d10v.ld
12733 @itemx m32r.ld
12734 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12735 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12736 @end table
12737
12738 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12739 cross-compiler like this:
12740
12741 @smallexample
12742 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12743 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12744 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12745 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12746 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12747 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12748 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12749 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12750 @end smallexample
12751
12752 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12753 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12754 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12755
12756
12757 @node Languages
12758 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12759 @cindex languages
12760
12761 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12762 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12763 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12764 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12765 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12766 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12767
12768 @cindex working language
12769 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12770 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12771 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12772 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12773 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12774 language}.
12775
12776 @menu
12777 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12778 * Show:: Displaying the language
12779 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12780 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12781 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12782 @end menu
12783
12784 @node Setting
12785 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12786
12787 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12788 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12789 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12790 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12791 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12792 are printed, etc.
12793
12794 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12795 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12796 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12797 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12798 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12799 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12800 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12801 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12802 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12803 Displaying the Language}.
12804
12805 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12806 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12807 another language. In that case, make the
12808 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12809 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12810 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12811
12812 @menu
12813 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12814 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12815 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12816 @end menu
12817
12818 @node Filenames
12819 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12820
12821 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12822 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12823
12824 @table @file
12825 @item .ada
12826 @itemx .ads
12827 @itemx .adb
12828 @itemx .a
12829 Ada source file.
12830
12831 @item .c
12832 C source file
12833
12834 @item .C
12835 @itemx .cc
12836 @itemx .cp
12837 @itemx .cpp
12838 @itemx .cxx
12839 @itemx .c++
12840 C@t{++} source file
12841
12842 @item .d
12843 D source file
12844
12845 @item .m
12846 Objective-C source file
12847
12848 @item .f
12849 @itemx .F
12850 Fortran source file
12851
12852 @item .mod
12853 Modula-2 source file
12854
12855 @item .s
12856 @itemx .S
12857 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12858 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12859 @end table
12860
12861 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12862 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12863
12864 @node Manually
12865 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12866
12867 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12868 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12869 your program.
12870
12871 @kindex set language
12872 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12873 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12874 a language, such as
12875 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12876 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12877
12878 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12879 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12880 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12881 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12882 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12883 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12884 command such as:
12885
12886 @smallexample
12887 print a = b + c
12888 @end smallexample
12889
12890 @noindent
12891 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12892 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12893 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12894 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12895
12896 @node Automatically
12897 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12898
12899 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12900 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12901 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12902 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12903 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12904 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12905 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12906 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12907 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12908
12909 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12910 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12911 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12912 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12913 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12914
12915 @node Show
12916 @section Displaying the Language
12917
12918 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12919 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12920
12921 @table @code
12922 @item show language
12923 @kindex show language
12924 Display the current working language. This is the
12925 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12926 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12927
12928 @item info frame
12929 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12930 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12931 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12932 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12933 information listed here.
12934
12935 @item info source
12936 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12937 Display the source language of this source file.
12938 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12939 information listed here.
12940 @end table
12941
12942 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12943 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12944 with a language explicitly:
12945
12946 @table @code
12947 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12948 @kindex set extension-language
12949 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12950 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12951
12952 @item info extensions
12953 @kindex info extensions
12954 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12955 @end table
12956
12957 @node Checks
12958 @section Type and Range Checking
12959
12960 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12961 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12962 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
12963 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12964 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12965 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
12966 errors when your program is running.
12967
12968 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
12969 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
12970 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
12971 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
12972
12973 @menu
12974 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12975 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12976 @end menu
12977
12978 @cindex type checking
12979 @cindex checks, type
12980 @node Type Checking
12981 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12982
12983 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12984 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12985 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12986 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12987
12988 @smallexample
12989 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
12990
12991 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
12992 $1 = 2
12993 @exdent but
12994 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
12995 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
12996 @end smallexample
12997
12998 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
12999 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13000
13001 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13002 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13003 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13004 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13005 expressions like the second example above.
13006
13007 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13008 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13009 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13010 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13011 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13012 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13013
13014 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13015
13016 @kindex set check type
13017 @kindex show check type
13018 @table @code
13019 @item set check type on
13020 @itemx set check type off
13021 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13022 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13023 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13024
13025 @item show check type
13026 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13027 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13028 @end table
13029
13030 @cindex range checking
13031 @cindex checks, range
13032 @node Range Checking
13033 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13034
13035 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13036 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13037 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13038 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13039 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13040
13041 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13042 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13043 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13044 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13045
13046 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13047 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13048 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13049 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13050 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13051 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13052
13053 @smallexample
13054 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13055 @end smallexample
13056
13057 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13058 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13059 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13060
13061 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13062
13063 @kindex set check range
13064 @kindex show check range
13065 @table @code
13066 @item set check range auto
13067 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13068 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13069 each language.
13070
13071 @item set check range on
13072 @itemx set check range off
13073 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13074 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13075 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13076 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13077
13078 @item set check range warn
13079 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13080 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13081 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13082 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13083 systems).
13084
13085 @item show range
13086 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13087 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13088 @end table
13089
13090 @node Supported Languages
13091 @section Supported Languages
13092
13093 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13094 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13095 @c This is false ...
13096 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13097 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13098 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13099 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13100 language.
13101
13102 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13103 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13104 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13105 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13106 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13107 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13108 language reference or tutorial.
13109
13110 @menu
13111 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13112 * D:: D
13113 * Go:: Go
13114 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13115 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13116 * Fortran:: Fortran
13117 * Pascal:: Pascal
13118 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13119 * Ada:: Ada
13120 @end menu
13121
13122 @node C
13123 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13124
13125 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13126 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13127
13128 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13129 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13130 together.
13131
13132 @cindex C@t{++}
13133 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13134 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13135 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13136 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13137 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13138 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13139 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13140
13141 @menu
13142 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13143 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13144 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13145 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13146 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13147 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13148 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13149 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13150 @end menu
13151
13152 @node C Operators
13153 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13154
13155 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13156
13157 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13158 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13159 often defined on groups of types.
13160
13161 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13162
13163 @itemize @bullet
13164
13165 @item
13166 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13167 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13168
13169 @item
13170 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13171 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13172
13173 @item
13174 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13175
13176 @item
13177 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13178
13179 @end itemize
13180
13181 @noindent
13182 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13183 in order of increasing precedence:
13184
13185 @table @code
13186 @item ,
13187 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13188 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13189 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13190
13191 @item =
13192 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13193 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13194
13195 @item @var{op}=
13196 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13197 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13198 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13199 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13200 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13201
13202 @item ?:
13203 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13204 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13205 integral type.
13206
13207 @item ||
13208 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13209
13210 @item &&
13211 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13212
13213 @item |
13214 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13215
13216 @item ^
13217 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13218
13219 @item &
13220 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13221
13222 @item ==@r{, }!=
13223 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13224 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13225
13226 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13227 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13228 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13229 and non-zero for true.
13230
13231 @item <<@r{, }>>
13232 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13233
13234 @item @@
13235 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13236
13237 @item +@r{, }-
13238 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13239 pointer types.
13240
13241 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13242 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13243 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13244 integral types.
13245
13246 @item ++@r{, }--
13247 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13248 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13249 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13250 operation takes place.
13251
13252 @item *
13253 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13254 @code{++}.
13255
13256 @item &
13257 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13258
13259 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13260 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13261 to examine the address
13262 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13263 stored.
13264
13265 @item -
13266 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13267 precedence as @code{++}.
13268
13269 @item !
13270 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13271 @code{++}.
13272
13273 @item ~
13274 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13275 @code{++}.
13276
13277
13278 @item .@r{, }->
13279 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13280 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13281 pointer based on the stored type information.
13282 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13283
13284 @item .*@r{, }->*
13285 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13286
13287 @item []
13288 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13289 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13290
13291 @item ()
13292 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13293
13294 @item ::
13295 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13296 and @code{class} types.
13297
13298 @item ::
13299 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13300 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13301 above.
13302 @end table
13303
13304 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13305 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13306 predefined meaning.
13307
13308 @node C Constants
13309 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13310
13311 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13312
13313 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13314 following ways:
13315
13316 @itemize @bullet
13317 @item
13318 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13319 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13320 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13321 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13322 @code{long} value.
13323
13324 @item
13325 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13326 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13327 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13328 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13329 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13330 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13331 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13332 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13333 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13334 constant.
13335
13336 @item
13337 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13338 integral equivalents.
13339
13340 @item
13341 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13342 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13343 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13344 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13345 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13346 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13347 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13348 @samp{\n} for newline.
13349
13350 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13351 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13352 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13353 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13354
13355 @item
13356 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13357 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13358 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13359 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13360 characters.
13361
13362 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13363 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13364 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13365
13366 @item
13367 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13368 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13369
13370 @item
13371 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13372 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13373 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13374 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13375 @end itemize
13376
13377 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13378 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13379
13380 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13381 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13382
13383 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13384 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13385 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13386 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13387 @quotation
13388 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13389 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13390 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13391 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13392 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13393 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13394 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13395 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13396 @end quotation
13397
13398 @enumerate
13399
13400 @cindex member functions
13401 @item
13402 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13403
13404 @smallexample
13405 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13406 @end smallexample
13407
13408 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13409 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13410 @item
13411 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13412 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13413 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13414 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13415 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13416
13417 @cindex call overloaded functions
13418 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13419 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13420 @item
13421 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13422 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13423 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13424 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13425 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13426 default arguments.
13427
13428 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13429 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13430 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13431 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13432 number of function arguments.
13433
13434 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13435 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13436 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13437
13438 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13439 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13440 @smallexample
13441 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13442 @end smallexample
13443
13444 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13445 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13446
13447 @cindex reference declarations
13448 @item
13449 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13450 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13451 dereferenced.
13452
13453 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13454 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13455 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13456 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13457 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13458
13459 @item
13460 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13461 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13462 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13463 necessary, for example in an expression like
13464 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13465 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13466 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13467
13468 @item
13469 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13470 specification.
13471 @end enumerate
13472
13473 @node C Defaults
13474 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13475
13476 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13477
13478 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13479 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13480 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13481 selects the working language.
13482
13483 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13484 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13485 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13486 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13487 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13488 for further details.
13489
13490 @node C Checks
13491 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13492
13493 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13494
13495 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13496 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13497 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13498 constants to pointers.
13499
13500 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13501 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13502 that is not itself an array.
13503
13504 @node Debugging C
13505 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13506
13507 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13508 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13509 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13510 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13511
13512 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13513 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13514 ,Expressions}.
13515
13516 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13517 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13518
13519 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13520
13521 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13522 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13523
13524 @table @code
13525 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13526 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13527 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13528 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13529 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13530 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13531
13532 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13533 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13534 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13535 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13536 classes.
13537 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13538
13539 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13540 @item catch throw
13541 @itemx catch catch
13542 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13543 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13544
13545 @cindex inheritance
13546 @item ptype @var{typename}
13547 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13548 @var{typename}.
13549 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13550
13551 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13552 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13553 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13554 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13555 multiple inheritance is in use.
13556
13557 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13558 @item set print demangle
13559 @itemx show print demangle
13560 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13561 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13562 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13563 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13564 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13565
13566 @item set print object
13567 @itemx show print object
13568 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13569 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13570
13571 @item set print vtbl
13572 @itemx show print vtbl
13573 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13574 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13575 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13576 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13577
13578 @kindex set overload-resolution
13579 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13580 @item set overload-resolution on
13581 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13582 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13583 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13584 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13585 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13586 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13587
13588 @item set overload-resolution off
13589 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13590 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13591 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13592 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13593 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13594 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13595 argument types.
13596
13597 @kindex show overload-resolution
13598 @item show overload-resolution
13599 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13600
13601 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13602 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13603 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13604 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13605 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13606 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13607 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13608 @end table
13609
13610 @node Decimal Floating Point
13611 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13612 @cindex decimal floating point format
13613
13614 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13615 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13616 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13617 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13618
13619 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13620 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13621 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13622 target.
13623
13624 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13625 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13626 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13627
13628 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13629 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13630 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13631
13632 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13633 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13634 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13635
13636 @node D
13637 @subsection D
13638
13639 @cindex D
13640 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13641 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13642 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13643
13644 @node Go
13645 @subsection Go
13646
13647 @cindex Go (programming language)
13648 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13649 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13650
13651 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13652
13653 @table @code
13654 @cindex current Go package
13655 @item The current Go package
13656 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13657 specifying global variables and functions.
13658
13659 For example, given the program:
13660
13661 @example
13662 package main
13663 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13664 func main () @{
13665 // ...
13666 @}
13667 @end example
13668
13669 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13670
13671 @example
13672 (gdb) p myglob
13673 (gdb) p main.myglob
13674 @end example
13675
13676 @cindex builtin Go types
13677 @item Builtin Go types
13678 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13679 as a string.
13680
13681 @cindex builtin Go functions
13682 @item Builtin Go functions
13683 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13684 function and handles it internally.
13685
13686 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13687 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13688 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13689 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13690 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13691 @end table
13692
13693 @node Objective-C
13694 @subsection Objective-C
13695
13696 @cindex Objective-C
13697 This section provides information about some commands and command
13698 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13699 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13700 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13701
13702 @menu
13703 * Method Names in Commands::
13704 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13705 @end menu
13706
13707 @node Method Names in Commands
13708 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13709
13710 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13711 names as line specifications:
13712
13713 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13714 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13715 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13716 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13717 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13718 @itemize
13719 @item @code{clear}
13720 @item @code{break}
13721 @item @code{info line}
13722 @item @code{jump}
13723 @item @code{list}
13724 @end itemize
13725
13726 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13727
13728 @smallexample
13729 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13730 @end smallexample
13731
13732 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13733 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13734 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13735 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13736 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13737 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13738 debugged, enter:
13739
13740 @smallexample
13741 break -[Fruit create]
13742 @end smallexample
13743
13744 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13745 enter:
13746
13747 @smallexample
13748 list +[NSText initialize]
13749 @end smallexample
13750
13751 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13752 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13753 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13754 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13755
13756 @smallexample
13757 break create
13758 @end smallexample
13759
13760 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13761 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13762 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13763 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13764 none apply.
13765
13766 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13767 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13768
13769 @smallexample
13770 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13771 @end smallexample
13772
13773 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13774 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13775 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13776 @kindex print-object
13777 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13778
13779 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13780
13781 @smallexample
13782 print -[@var{object} hash]
13783 @end smallexample
13784
13785 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13786 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13787 @noindent
13788 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13789 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13790 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13791 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13792 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13793 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13794
13795 @node OpenCL C
13796 @subsection OpenCL C
13797
13798 @cindex OpenCL C
13799 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13800
13801 @menu
13802 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13803 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13804 * OpenCL C Operators::
13805 @end menu
13806
13807 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13808 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13809
13810 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13811 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13812 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13813 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13814 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13815
13816 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13817 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13818
13819 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13820 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13821 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13822 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13823
13824 @node OpenCL C Operators
13825 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13826
13827 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13828 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13829 vector data types.
13830
13831 @node Fortran
13832 @subsection Fortran
13833 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13834
13835 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13836 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13837
13838 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13839 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13840 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13841 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13842 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13843 underscore.
13844
13845 @menu
13846 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13847 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13848 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13849 @end menu
13850
13851 @node Fortran Operators
13852 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13853
13854 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13855
13856 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13857 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13858 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13859
13860 @table @code
13861 @item **
13862 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13863 of the second one.
13864
13865 @item :
13866 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13867 represent a section of array.
13868
13869 @item %
13870 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13871 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13872 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13873 union type.
13874 @end table
13875
13876 @node Fortran Defaults
13877 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13878
13879 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13880
13881 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13882 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13883 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13884 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13885
13886 @node Special Fortran Commands
13887 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13888
13889 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13890
13891 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13892 such as displaying common blocks.
13893
13894 @table @code
13895 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13896 @kindex info common
13897 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13898 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13899 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13900 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13901 printed.
13902 @end table
13903
13904 @node Pascal
13905 @subsection Pascal
13906
13907 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13908 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13909 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13910 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13911 syntax.
13912
13913 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13914 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13915 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13916
13917 @node Modula-2
13918 @subsection Modula-2
13919
13920 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13921
13922 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13923 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13924 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13925 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13926 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13927 table.
13928
13929 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13930 @menu
13931 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13932 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13933 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13934 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13935 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13936 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13937 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13938 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13939 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13940 @end menu
13941
13942 @node M2 Operators
13943 @subsubsection Operators
13944 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13945
13946 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13947 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13948 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13949 following definitions hold:
13950
13951 @itemize @bullet
13952
13953 @item
13954 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13955 their subranges.
13956
13957 @item
13958 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13959
13960 @item
13961 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13962
13963 @item
13964 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13965 @var{type}}.
13966
13967 @item
13968 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13969
13970 @item
13971 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13972
13973 @item
13974 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13975 @end itemize
13976
13977 @noindent
13978 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13979 increasing precedence:
13980
13981 @table @code
13982 @item ,
13983 Function argument or array index separator.
13984
13985 @item :=
13986 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13987 @var{value}.
13988
13989 @item <@r{, }>
13990 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13991 types.
13992
13993 @item <=@r{, }>=
13994 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13995 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13996 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13997
13998 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13999 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14000 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14001 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14002 comment character.
14003
14004 @item IN
14005 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14006 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14007
14008 @item OR
14009 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14010
14011 @item AND@r{, }&
14012 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14013
14014 @item @@
14015 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14016
14017 @item +@r{, }-
14018 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14019 and difference on set types.
14020
14021 @item *
14022 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14023 on set types.
14024
14025 @item /
14026 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14027 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14028
14029 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
14030 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14031 precedence as @code{*}.
14032
14033 @item -
14034 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14035
14036 @item ^
14037 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14038
14039 @item NOT
14040 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14041 @code{^}.
14042
14043 @item .
14044 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14045 precedence as @code{^}.
14046
14047 @item []
14048 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14049
14050 @item ()
14051 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14052 as @code{^}.
14053
14054 @item ::@r{, }.
14055 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14056 @end table
14057
14058 @quotation
14059 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14060 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14061 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14062 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14063 @end quotation
14064
14065
14066 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14067 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14068 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14069
14070 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14071 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14072
14073 @table @var
14074
14075 @item a
14076 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14077
14078 @item c
14079 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14080
14081 @item i
14082 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14083
14084 @item m
14085 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14086 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14087 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14088
14089 @item n
14090 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14091
14092 @item r
14093 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14094
14095 @item t
14096 represents a type.
14097
14098 @item v
14099 represents a variable.
14100
14101 @item x
14102 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14103 explanation of the function for details.
14104 @end table
14105
14106 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14107
14108 @table @code
14109 @item ABS(@var{n})
14110 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14111
14112 @item CAP(@var{c})
14113 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14114 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14115
14116 @item CHR(@var{i})
14117 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14118
14119 @item DEC(@var{v})
14120 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14121
14122 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14123 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14124 new value.
14125
14126 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14127 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14128 set.
14129
14130 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14131 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14132
14133 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14134 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14135
14136 @item INC(@var{v})
14137 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14138
14139 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14140 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14141 new value.
14142
14143 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14144 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14145 there. Returns the new set.
14146
14147 @item MAX(@var{t})
14148 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14149
14150 @item MIN(@var{t})
14151 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14152
14153 @item ODD(@var{i})
14154 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14155
14156 @item ORD(@var{x})
14157 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14158 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14159 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14160 integral, character and enumerated types.
14161
14162 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14163 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14164
14165 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14166 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14167
14168 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14169 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14170
14171 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14172 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14173 @end table
14174
14175 @quotation
14176 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14177 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14178 an error.
14179 @end quotation
14180
14181 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14182 @node M2 Constants
14183 @subsubsection Constants
14184
14185 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14186 ways:
14187
14188 @itemize @bullet
14189
14190 @item
14191 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14192 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14193 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14194 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14195
14196 @item
14197 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14198 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14199 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14200 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14201 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14202 digits.
14203
14204 @item
14205 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14206 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14207 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14208 followed by a @samp{C}.
14209
14210 @item
14211 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14212 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14213 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14214 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14215 sequences.
14216
14217 @item
14218 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14219
14220 @item
14221 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14222 @code{FALSE}.
14223
14224 @item
14225 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14226
14227 @item
14228 Set constants are not yet supported.
14229 @end itemize
14230
14231 @node M2 Types
14232 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14233 @cindex Modula-2 types
14234
14235 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14236 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14237 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14238 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14239 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14240 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14241
14242 The first example contains the following section of code:
14243
14244 @smallexample
14245 VAR
14246 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14247 r: [20..40] ;
14248 @end smallexample
14249
14250 @noindent
14251 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14252 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14253
14254 @smallexample
14255 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14256 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14257 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14258 SET OF CHAR
14259 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14260 21
14261 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14262 [20..40]
14263 @end smallexample
14264
14265 @noindent
14266 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14267
14268 @smallexample
14269 VAR
14270 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14271 @end smallexample
14272
14273 @noindent
14274 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14275
14276 @smallexample
14277 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14278 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14279 @end smallexample
14280
14281 @noindent
14282 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14283 expressions using the debugger.
14284
14285 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14286 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14287
14288 @smallexample
14289 VAR
14290 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14291 @end smallexample
14292
14293 @smallexample
14294 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14295 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14296 @end smallexample
14297
14298 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14299 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14300 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14301 above.
14302
14303 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14304
14305 @smallexample
14306 TYPE
14307 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14308 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14309 VAR
14310 s: t ;
14311 BEGIN
14312 s := blue ;
14313 @end smallexample
14314
14315 @noindent
14316 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14317 and value of a variable.
14318
14319 @smallexample
14320 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14321 $1 = blue
14322 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14323 type = [blue..yellow]
14324 @end smallexample
14325
14326 @noindent
14327 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14328 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14329 their @code{C} counterparts.
14330
14331 @smallexample
14332 VAR
14333 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14334 BEGIN
14335 s[1] := 1 ;
14336 @end smallexample
14337
14338 @smallexample
14339 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14340 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14341 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14342 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14343 @end smallexample
14344
14345 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14346 pointer types as shown in this example:
14347
14348 @smallexample
14349 VAR
14350 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14351 BEGIN
14352 NEW(s) ;
14353 s^[1] := 1 ;
14354 @end smallexample
14355
14356 @noindent
14357 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14358
14359 @smallexample
14360 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14361 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14362 @end smallexample
14363
14364 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14365 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14366 types:
14367
14368 @smallexample
14369 TYPE
14370 foo = RECORD
14371 f1: CARDINAL ;
14372 f2: CHAR ;
14373 f3: myarray ;
14374 END ;
14375
14376 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14377 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14378 VAR
14379 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14380 @end smallexample
14381
14382 @noindent
14383 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14384 below.
14385
14386 @smallexample
14387 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14388 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14389 f1 : CARDINAL;
14390 f2 : CHAR;
14391 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14392 END
14393 @end smallexample
14394
14395 @node M2 Defaults
14396 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14397 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14398
14399 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14400 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14401 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14402 selected the working language.
14403
14404 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14405 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14406 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14407 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14408
14409 @node Deviations
14410 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14411 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14412
14413 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14414 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14415
14416 @itemize @bullet
14417 @item
14418 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14419 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14420 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14421 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14422 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14423 returned a pointer.)
14424
14425 @item
14426 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14427 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14428 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14429 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14430
14431 @item
14432 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14433 argument.
14434
14435 @item
14436 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14437 @end itemize
14438
14439 @node M2 Checks
14440 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14441 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14442
14443 @quotation
14444 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14445 range checking.
14446 @end quotation
14447 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14448
14449 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14450
14451 @itemize @bullet
14452 @item
14453 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14454 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14455
14456 @item
14457 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14458 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14459 @end itemize
14460
14461 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14462 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14463
14464 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14465 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14466
14467 @node M2 Scope
14468 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14469 @cindex scope
14470 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14471 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14472 @ifinfo
14473 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14474 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14475 @end ifinfo
14476 @ifnotinfo
14477 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14478 @end ifnotinfo
14479
14480 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14481 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14482 similar syntax:
14483
14484 @smallexample
14485
14486 @var{module} . @var{id}
14487 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14488 @end smallexample
14489
14490 @noindent
14491 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14492 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14493 identifier within your program, except another module.
14494
14495 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14496 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14497 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14498 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14499
14500 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14501 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14502 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14503 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14504 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14505 @var{module}.
14506
14507 @node GDB/M2
14508 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14509
14510 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14511 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14512 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14513 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14514 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14515 analogue in Modula-2.
14516
14517 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14518 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14519 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14520 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14521 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14522 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14523
14524 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14525 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14526 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14527
14528 @node Ada
14529 @subsection Ada
14530 @cindex Ada
14531
14532 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14533 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14534 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14535 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14536 to be difficult.
14537
14538
14539 @cindex expressions in Ada
14540 @menu
14541 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14542 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14543 in @value{GDBN}.
14544 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14545 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14546 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14547 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14548 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14549 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14550 Profile
14551 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14552 @end menu
14553
14554 @node Ada Mode Intro
14555 @subsubsection Introduction
14556 @cindex Ada mode, general
14557
14558 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14559 syntax, with some extensions.
14560 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14561
14562 @itemize @bullet
14563 @item
14564 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14565 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14566 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14567 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14568
14569 @item
14570 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14571 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14572
14573 @item
14574 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14575 @end itemize
14576
14577 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14578 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14579 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14580 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14581 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14582
14583 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14584 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14585 was translated from an Ada source file.
14586
14587 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14588 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14589 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14590 middle (to allow based literals).
14591
14592 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14593 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14594 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14595 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14596 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14597 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14598
14599 @node Omissions from Ada
14600 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14601 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14602
14603 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14604
14605 @itemize @bullet
14606 @item
14607 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14608
14609 @itemize @minus
14610 @item
14611 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14612 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14613
14614 @item
14615 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14616
14617 @item
14618 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14619
14620 @item
14621 @t{'Tag}.
14622
14623 @item
14624 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14625 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14626
14627 @item
14628 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14629 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14630
14631 @item
14632 @t{'Address}.
14633 @end itemize
14634
14635 @item
14636 The names in
14637 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14638 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14639 not currently available.
14640
14641 @item
14642 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14643 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14644 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14645 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14646 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14647 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14648 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14649 indeterminate values.
14650
14651 @item
14652 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14653 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14654 are not implemented.
14655
14656 @item
14657 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14658 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14659 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14660 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14661 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14662
14663 @smallexample
14664 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14665 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14666 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14667 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14668 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14669 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14670 @end smallexample
14671
14672 Changing a
14673 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14674 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14675 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14676 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14677 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14678 declared to have a type such as:
14679
14680 @smallexample
14681 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14682 Id : Integer;
14683 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14684 end record;
14685 @end smallexample
14686
14687 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14688 assignments:
14689
14690 @smallexample
14691 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14692 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14693 @end smallexample
14694
14695 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14696 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14697 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14698 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14699 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14700 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14701 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14702 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14703
14704 @item
14705 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14706
14707 @item
14708 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14709 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14710 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14711 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14712 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14713 the proper resolution.
14714
14715 @item
14716 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14717
14718 @item
14719 Entry calls are not implemented.
14720
14721 @item
14722 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14723 formats are not supported.
14724
14725 @item
14726 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14727
14728 @item
14729 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14730 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14731 context.
14732 Should your program
14733 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14734 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14735 @end itemize
14736
14737 @node Additions to Ada
14738 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14739 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14740
14741 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14742 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14743
14744 @itemize @bullet
14745 @item
14746 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14747 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14748 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14749 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14750 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14751 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14752 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14753 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14754
14755 @item
14756 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14757 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14758 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14759
14760 @item
14761 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14762 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14763
14764 @item
14765 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14766 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14767 @end itemize
14768
14769 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14770 additions specific to Ada:
14771
14772 @itemize @bullet
14773 @item
14774 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14775 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14776
14777 @smallexample
14778 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14779 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14780 @end smallexample
14781
14782 @item
14783 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14784 the value of its right-hand operand.
14785 This allows, for example,
14786 complex conditional breaks:
14787
14788 @smallexample
14789 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14790 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14791 @end smallexample
14792
14793 @item
14794 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14795 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14796 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14797 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14798 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14799 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14800 in strings. For example,
14801 @smallexample
14802 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14803 @end smallexample
14804 @noindent
14805 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14806 after each period.
14807
14808 @item
14809 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14810 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14811 to write
14812
14813 @smallexample
14814 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14815 @end smallexample
14816
14817 @item
14818 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14819 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14820 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14821 of 3 might print as
14822
14823 @smallexample
14824 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14825 @end smallexample
14826
14827 @noindent
14828 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14829 clause.
14830
14831 @item
14832 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14833 multi-character subsequence of
14834 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14835 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14836 in place of @t{a'length}.
14837
14838 @item
14839 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14840 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14841 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14842 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14843 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14844 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14845 For example,
14846 @smallexample
14847 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14848 @end smallexample
14849
14850 @item
14851 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14852 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14853 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14854 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14855 object.
14856
14857 @end itemize
14858
14859 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14860 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14861
14862 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14863 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14864 before reaching the main procedure.
14865 As defined in the Ada Reference
14866 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14867 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14868 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14869 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14870
14871 @node Ada Tasks
14872 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14873 @cindex Ada, tasking
14874
14875 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14876 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14877
14878 @table @code
14879 @kindex info tasks
14880 @item info tasks
14881 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14882
14883
14884 @smallexample
14885 @iftex
14886 @leftskip=0.5cm
14887 @end iftex
14888 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14889 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14890 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14891 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14892 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14893 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14894
14895 @end smallexample
14896
14897 @noindent
14898 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14899 task currently being inspected.
14900
14901 @table @asis
14902 @item ID
14903 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14904
14905 @item TID
14906 The Ada task ID.
14907
14908 @item P-ID
14909 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14910
14911 @item Pri
14912 The base priority of the task.
14913
14914 @item State
14915 Current state of the task.
14916
14917 @table @code
14918 @item Unactivated
14919 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14920 executing.
14921
14922 @item Runnable
14923 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14924 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14925
14926 @item Terminated
14927 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14928 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14929 terminated themselves.
14930
14931 @item Child Activation Wait
14932 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14933
14934 @item Accept Statement
14935 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14936
14937 @item Waiting on entry call
14938 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14939
14940 @item Async Select Wait
14941 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14942 select statement.
14943
14944 @item Delay Sleep
14945 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14946 alternative open.
14947
14948 @item Child Termination Wait
14949 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14950 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14951 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14952
14953 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14954 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14955 finish terminating.
14956
14957 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14958 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14959 @end table
14960
14961 @item Name
14962 Name of the task in the program.
14963
14964 @end table
14965
14966 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14967 @item info task @var{taskno}
14968 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14969 the following example:
14970 @smallexample
14971 @iftex
14972 @leftskip=0.5cm
14973 @end iftex
14974 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14975 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14976 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14977 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14978 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14979 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14980 Name: task_1
14981 Thread: 0x807f378
14982 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14983 Base Priority: 15
14984 State: Runnable
14985 @end smallexample
14986
14987 @item task
14988 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14989 @cindex current Ada task ID
14990 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14991
14992 @smallexample
14993 @iftex
14994 @leftskip=0.5cm
14995 @end iftex
14996 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14997 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14998 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14999 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15000 (@value{GDBP}) task
15001 [Current task is 2]
15002 @end smallexample
15003
15004 @item task @var{taskno}
15005 @cindex Ada task switching
15006 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15007 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15008 from the current task to the given task.
15009
15010 @smallexample
15011 @iftex
15012 @leftskip=0.5cm
15013 @end iftex
15014 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15015 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15016 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15017 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15018 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15019 [Switching to task 1]
15020 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15021 (@value{GDBP}) bt
15022 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15023 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15024 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15025 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15026 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15027 @end smallexample
15028
15029 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15030 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15031 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15032 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15033 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15034 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15035 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15036 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15037 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15038
15039 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15040 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15041 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15042 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15043 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15044
15045 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15046 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15047 program.
15048
15049 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15050 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15051 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15052
15053 For example,
15054
15055 @smallexample
15056 @iftex
15057 @leftskip=0.5cm
15058 @end iftex
15059 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15060 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15061 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15062 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15063 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15064 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15065 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15066 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15067 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15068 Continuing.
15069 task # 1 running
15070 task # 2 running
15071
15072 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15073 15 flush;
15074 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15075 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15076 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15077 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15078 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15079 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15080 @end smallexample
15081 @end table
15082
15083 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15084 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15085 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15086
15087 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15088 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15089 the platform being used.
15090 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15091 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15092 as usual.
15093
15094 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15095 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15096 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15097 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15098 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15099 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15100
15101 @node Ravenscar Profile
15102 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15103 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15104
15105 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15106 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15107 requirements.
15108
15109 @table @code
15110 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15111 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15112 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15113 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15114 Profile. This is the default.
15115
15116 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15117 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15118 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15119 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15120 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15121 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15122 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15123
15124 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15125 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15126 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15127 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15128
15129 @end table
15130
15131 @node Ada Glitches
15132 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15133 @cindex Ada, problems
15134
15135 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15136 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15137 @value{GDBN},
15138 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15139 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15140
15141 @itemize @bullet
15142 @item
15143 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15144 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15145
15146 @item
15147 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15148 argument lists are treated as positional).
15149
15150 @item
15151 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15152
15153 @item
15154 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15155 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15156 the host machine.
15157
15158 @item
15159 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15160 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15161 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15162 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15163 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15164 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15165 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15166 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15167 you can usually resolve the confusion
15168 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15169 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15170 @end itemize
15171
15172 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15173 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15174 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15175 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15176 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15177 enabled.
15178
15179 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15180 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15181 @table @code
15182
15183 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15184 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15185 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15186 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15187 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15188 This is the default.
15189
15190 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15191 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15192 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15193 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15194 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15195 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15196 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15197
15198 @end table
15199
15200 @node Unsupported Languages
15201 @section Unsupported Languages
15202
15203 @cindex unsupported languages
15204 @cindex minimal language
15205 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15206 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15207 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15208 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15209 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15210 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15211
15212 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15213 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15214 language.
15215
15216 @node Symbols
15217 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15218
15219 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15220 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15221 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15222 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15223 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15224 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15225 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15226
15227 @cindex symbol names
15228 @cindex names of symbols
15229 @cindex quoting names
15230 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15231 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15232 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15233 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15234 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15235 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15236 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15237 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15238
15239 @smallexample
15240 p 'foo.c'::x
15241 @end smallexample
15242
15243 @noindent
15244 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15245
15246 @table @code
15247 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15248 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15249 @kindex set case-sensitive
15250 @item set case-sensitive on
15251 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15252 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15253 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15254 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15255 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15256 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15257 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15258 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15259 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15260 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15261 case-insensitive matches.
15262
15263 @kindex show case-sensitive
15264 @item show case-sensitive
15265 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15266 lookups.
15267
15268 @kindex set print type methods
15269 @item set print type methods
15270 @itemx set print type methods on
15271 @itemx set print type methods off
15272 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15273 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15274 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15275 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15276 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15277 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15278
15279 @kindex show print type methods
15280 @item show print type methods
15281 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15282 classes.
15283
15284 @kindex set print type typedefs
15285 @item set print type typedefs
15286 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15287 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15288
15289 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15290 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15291 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15292 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15293 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15294 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15295 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15296 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15297 types.
15298
15299 @kindex show print type typedefs
15300 @item show print type typedefs
15301 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15302 printing classes.
15303
15304 @kindex info address
15305 @cindex address of a symbol
15306 @item info address @var{symbol}
15307 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15308 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15309 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15310 is always stored.
15311
15312 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15313 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15314 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15315
15316 @kindex info symbol
15317 @cindex symbol from address
15318 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15319 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15320 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15321 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15322 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15323
15324 @smallexample
15325 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15326 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15327 @end smallexample
15328
15329 @noindent
15330 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15331 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15332
15333 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15334 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15335
15336 @smallexample
15337 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15338 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15339 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15340 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15341 @end smallexample
15342
15343 @kindex whatis
15344 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15345 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15346 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15347 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15348
15349 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15350 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15351 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15352
15353 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15354 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15355 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15356 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15357 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15358 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15359 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15360 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15361 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15362
15363 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15364 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15365 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15366 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15367 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15368 unroll it.
15369
15370 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15371 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15372 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15373
15374 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15375 Available flags are:
15376
15377 @table @code
15378 @item r
15379 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15380 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15381 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15382
15383 @item m
15384 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15385
15386 @item M
15387 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15388 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15389
15390 @item t
15391 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15392 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15393 names are substituted when printing other types.
15394
15395 @item T
15396 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15397 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15398 @end table
15399
15400 @kindex ptype
15401 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15402 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15403 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15404 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15405
15406 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15407 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15408 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15409 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15410 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15411 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15412 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15413 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15414
15415 For example, for this variable declaration:
15416
15417 @smallexample
15418 typedef double real_t;
15419 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15420 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15421 complex_t var;
15422 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15423 @end smallexample
15424
15425 @noindent
15426 the two commands give this output:
15427
15428 @smallexample
15429 @group
15430 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15431 type = complex_t
15432 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15433 type = struct complex @{
15434 real_t real;
15435 double imag;
15436 @}
15437 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15438 type = struct complex
15439 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15440 type = struct complex
15441 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15442 type = struct complex @{
15443 real_t real;
15444 double imag;
15445 @}
15446 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15447 type = real_t *
15448 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15449 type = double *
15450 @end group
15451 @end smallexample
15452
15453 @noindent
15454 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15455 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15456
15457 @cindex incomplete type
15458 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15459 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15460 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15461 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15462 given these declarations:
15463
15464 @smallexample
15465 struct foo;
15466 struct foo *fooptr;
15467 @end smallexample
15468
15469 @noindent
15470 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15471
15472 @smallexample
15473 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15474 $1 = <incomplete type>
15475 @end smallexample
15476
15477 @noindent
15478 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15479 completely specified.
15480
15481 @kindex info types
15482 @item info types @var{regexp}
15483 @itemx info types
15484 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15485 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15486 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15487 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15488 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15489 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15490 name is @code{value}.
15491
15492 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15493 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15494 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15495
15496 @kindex info type-printers
15497 @item info type-printers
15498 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15499 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15500 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15501 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15502 type printers.
15503
15504 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15505
15506 @kindex enable type-printer
15507 @kindex disable type-printer
15508 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15509 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15510 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15511
15512 @kindex info scope
15513 @cindex local variables
15514 @item info scope @var{location}
15515 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15516 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15517 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15518 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15519 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15520
15521 @smallexample
15522 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15523 Scope for command_line_handler:
15524 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15525 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15526 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15527 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15528 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15529 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15530 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15531 @end smallexample
15532
15533 @noindent
15534 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15535 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15536 collect}.
15537
15538 @kindex info source
15539 @item info source
15540 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15541 the function containing the current point of execution:
15542 @itemize @bullet
15543 @item
15544 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15545 @item
15546 the directory it was compiled in,
15547 @item
15548 its length, in lines,
15549 @item
15550 which programming language it is written in,
15551 @item
15552 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15553 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15554 @item
15555 whether the debugging information includes information about
15556 preprocessor macros.
15557 @end itemize
15558
15559
15560 @kindex info sources
15561 @item info sources
15562 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15563 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15564 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15565
15566 @kindex info functions
15567 @item info functions
15568 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15569
15570 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15571 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15572 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15573 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15574 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15575 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15576 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15577 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15578
15579 @kindex info variables
15580 @item info variables
15581 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15582 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15583
15584 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15585 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15586 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15587 @var{regexp}.
15588
15589 @kindex info classes
15590 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15591 @item info classes
15592 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15593 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15594 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15595 expression.
15596
15597 @kindex info selectors
15598 @item info selectors
15599 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15600 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15601 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15602 expression.
15603
15604 @ignore
15605 This was never implemented.
15606 @kindex info methods
15607 @item info methods
15608 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15609 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15610 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15611 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15612 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15613 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15614 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15615 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15616 @end ignore
15617
15618 @cindex opaque data types
15619 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15620 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15621 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15622 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15623 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15624 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15625 another source file. The default is on.
15626
15627 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15628 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15629
15630 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15631 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15632 is printed as follows:
15633 @smallexample
15634 @{<no data fields>@}
15635 @end smallexample
15636
15637 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15638 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15639 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15640
15641 @kindex maint print symbols
15642 @cindex symbol dump
15643 @kindex maint print psymbols
15644 @cindex partial symbol dump
15645 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15646 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15647 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15648 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15649 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15650 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15651 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15652 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15653 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15654 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15655 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15656 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15657 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15658 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15659 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15660 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15661 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15662
15663 @kindex maint info symtabs
15664 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15665 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15666 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15667 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15668 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15669 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15670 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15671
15672 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15673 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15674 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15675 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15676 structure in more detail. For example:
15677
15678 @smallexample
15679 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15680 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15681 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15682 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15683 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15684 readin no
15685 fullname (null)
15686 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15687 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15688 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15689 dependencies (none)
15690 @}
15691 @}
15692 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15693 (@value{GDBP})
15694 @end smallexample
15695 @noindent
15696 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15697 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15698 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15699 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15700 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15701
15702 @smallexample
15703 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15704 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15705 line 1574.
15706 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15707 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15708 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15709 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15710 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15711 dirname (null)
15712 fullname (null)
15713 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15714 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15715 debugformat DWARF 2
15716 @}
15717 @}
15718 (@value{GDBP})
15719 @end smallexample
15720 @end table
15721
15722
15723 @node Altering
15724 @chapter Altering Execution
15725
15726 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15727 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15728 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15729 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15730 program.
15731
15732 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15733 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15734 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15735
15736 @menu
15737 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15738 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15739 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15740 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15741 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15742 * Patching:: Patching your program
15743 @end menu
15744
15745 @node Assignment
15746 @section Assignment to Variables
15747
15748 @cindex assignment
15749 @cindex setting variables
15750 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15751 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15752
15753 @smallexample
15754 print x=4
15755 @end smallexample
15756
15757 @noindent
15758 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15759 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15760 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15761 information on operators in supported languages.
15762
15763 @kindex set variable
15764 @cindex variables, setting
15765 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15766 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15767 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15768 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15769 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15770
15771 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15772 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15773 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15774 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15775 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15776 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15777 command @code{set width}:
15778
15779 @smallexample
15780 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15781 type = double
15782 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15783 $4 = 13
15784 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15785 Invalid syntax in expression.
15786 @end smallexample
15787
15788 @noindent
15789 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15790 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15791
15792 @smallexample
15793 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15794 @end smallexample
15795
15796 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15797 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15798 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15799 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15800 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15801 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15802
15803 @smallexample
15804 @group
15805 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15806 type = double
15807 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15808 $1 = 1
15809 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15810 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15811 $2 = 1
15812 (@value{GDBP}) r
15813 The program being debugged has been started already.
15814 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15815 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15816 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15817 Invalid bfd target.
15818 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15819 The current BFD target is "=4".
15820 @end group
15821 @end smallexample
15822
15823 @noindent
15824 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15825 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15826 @code{g}, use
15827
15828 @smallexample
15829 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15830 @end smallexample
15831
15832 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15833 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15834 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15835 same length or shorter.
15836 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15837 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15838
15839 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15840 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15841 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15842 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15843 and representation in memory), and
15844
15845 @smallexample
15846 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15847 @end smallexample
15848
15849 @noindent
15850 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15851
15852 @node Jumping
15853 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15854
15855 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15856 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15857 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15858
15859 @table @code
15860 @kindex jump
15861 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
15862 @item jump @var{linespec}
15863 @itemx j @var{linespec}
15864 @itemx jump @var{location}
15865 @itemx j @var{location}
15866 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15867 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15868 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15869 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15870 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15871 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15872
15873 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15874 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15875 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15876 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15877 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15878 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15879 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15880 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15881 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15882 @end table
15883
15884 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15885 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15886 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15887 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15888 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15889 example,
15890
15891 @smallexample
15892 set $pc = 0x485
15893 @end smallexample
15894
15895 @noindent
15896 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15897 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15898 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15899
15900 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15901 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15902 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15903 detail.
15904
15905 @c @group
15906 @node Signaling
15907 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15908 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15909
15910 @table @code
15911 @kindex signal
15912 @item signal @var{signal}
15913 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15914 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15915 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15916 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15917
15918 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15919 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15920 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
15921 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15922 signal.
15923
15924 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15925 after executing the command.
15926 @end table
15927 @c @end group
15928
15929 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15930 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15931 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15932 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15933 passes the signal directly to your program.
15934
15935
15936 @node Returning
15937 @section Returning from a Function
15938
15939 @table @code
15940 @cindex returning from a function
15941 @kindex return
15942 @item return
15943 @itemx return @var{expression}
15944 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15945 command. If you give an
15946 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15947 value.
15948 @end table
15949
15950 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15951 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15952 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15953 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15954
15955 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15956 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15957 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15958 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15959 of functions.
15960
15961 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15962 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15963 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15964 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15965 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15966
15967 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15968 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15969 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15970 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15971 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15972 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15973 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15974 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15975 assignment into the right register(s).
15976
15977 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15978 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15979 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15980 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15981 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15982 into a @code{long long int}:
15983
15984 @smallexample
15985 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15986 29 return 31;
15987 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15988 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15989 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15990 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15991 (@value{GDBP})
15992 @end smallexample
15993
15994 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15995 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15996 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15997 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15998 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15999 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16000 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16001 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16002
16003 @smallexample
16004 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16005 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16006 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16007 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16008 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16009 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16010 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16011 (@value{GDBP})
16012 @end smallexample
16013
16014 @node Calling
16015 @section Calling Program Functions
16016
16017 @table @code
16018 @cindex calling functions
16019 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16020 @item print @var{expr}
16021 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16022 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16023 debugged.
16024
16025 @kindex call
16026 @item call @var{expr}
16027 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16028 returned values.
16029
16030 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16031 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16032 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16033 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16034 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16035 value history.
16036 @end table
16037
16038 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16039 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16040 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16041 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16042
16043 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16044 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16045 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16046 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16047 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16048 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16049 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16050 in that case is controlled by the
16051 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16052
16053 @table @code
16054 @item set unwindonsignal
16055 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16056 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16057 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16058 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16059 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16060 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16061 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16062 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16063 received.
16064
16065 @item show unwindonsignal
16066 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16067 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16068 @value{GDBN}.
16069
16070 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16071 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16072 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16073 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16074 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16075 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16076 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16077 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16078 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16079 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16080
16081 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16082 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16083 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16084 @value{GDBN}.
16085
16086 @end table
16087
16088 @cindex weak alias functions
16089 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16090 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16091 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16092 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16093 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16094 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16095 function instead.
16096
16097 @node Patching
16098 @section Patching Programs
16099
16100 @cindex patching binaries
16101 @cindex writing into executables
16102 @cindex writing into corefiles
16103
16104 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16105 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16106 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16107 patching your program's binary.
16108
16109 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16110 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16111 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16112 repairs.
16113
16114 @table @code
16115 @kindex set write
16116 @item set write on
16117 @itemx set write off
16118 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16119 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16120 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16121
16122 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16123 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16124 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16125
16126 @item show write
16127 @kindex show write
16128 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16129 as well as reading.
16130 @end table
16131
16132 @node GDB Files
16133 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16134
16135 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16136 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16137 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16138 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16139
16140 @menu
16141 * Files:: Commands to specify files
16142 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16143 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16144 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16145 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16146 * Data Files:: GDB data files
16147 @end menu
16148
16149 @node Files
16150 @section Commands to Specify Files
16151
16152 @cindex symbol table
16153 @cindex core dump file
16154
16155 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16156 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16157 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16158 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16159
16160 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16161 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16162 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16163 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16164 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16165 new files are useful.
16166
16167 @table @code
16168 @cindex executable file
16169 @kindex file
16170 @item file @var{filename}
16171 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16172 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16173 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16174 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16175 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16176 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16177 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16178 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16179
16180 @cindex unlinked object files
16181 @cindex patching object files
16182 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16183 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16184 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16185 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16186 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16187 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16188 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16189 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16190
16191 @item file
16192 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16193 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16194
16195 @kindex exec-file
16196 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16197 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16198 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16199 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16200 discard information on the executable file.
16201
16202 @kindex symbol-file
16203 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16204 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16205 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16206 table and program to run from the same file.
16207
16208 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16209 program's symbol table.
16210
16211 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16212 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16213 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16214 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16215 @value{GDBN}.
16216
16217 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16218 executing it once.
16219
16220 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16221 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16222 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16223 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16224 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16225 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16226 optimized code.
16227
16228 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16229 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16230 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16231 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16232 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16233
16234 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16235 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16236 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16237 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16238 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16239 Warnings and Messages}.)
16240
16241 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16242 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16243 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16244 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16245 in stabs format.
16246
16247 @kindex readnow
16248 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16249 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16250 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16251 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16252 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16253 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16254 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16255 entire symbol table available.
16256
16257 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16258 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16259 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16260 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16261 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16262 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16263 @c files.
16264
16265 @kindex core-file
16266 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16267 @itemx core
16268 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16269 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16270 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16271 executable file itself for other parts.
16272
16273 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16274 to be used.
16275
16276 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16277 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16278 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16279 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16280 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16281
16282 @kindex add-symbol-file
16283 @cindex dynamic linking
16284 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16285 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16286 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16287 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16288 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16289 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16290 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16291 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16292 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16293 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16294 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16295 @var{address} as an expression.
16296
16297 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16298 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16299 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16300 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16301 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16302
16303 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16304 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16305 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16306 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16307 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16308 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16309 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16310 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16311 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16312
16313 @itemize @bullet
16314 @item
16315 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16316 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16317 @item
16318 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16319 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16320 @item
16321 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16322 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16323 @end itemize
16324
16325 @noindent
16326 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16327 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16328 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16329 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16330 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16331 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16332 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16333 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16334 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16335 way.
16336
16337 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16338
16339 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16340 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16341 @cindex load symbols from memory
16342 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16343 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16344 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16345 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16346 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16347 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16348 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16349 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16350 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16351
16352 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16353 @kindex assf
16354 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16355 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16356 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16357 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16358 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16359 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16360 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16361 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16362 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16363 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16364
16365 @kindex section
16366 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16367 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16368 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16369 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16370 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16371 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16372 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16373 their addresses.
16374
16375 @kindex info files
16376 @kindex info target
16377 @item info files
16378 @itemx info target
16379 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16380 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16381 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16382 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16383 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16384 current ones.
16385
16386 @kindex maint info sections
16387 @item maint info sections
16388 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16389 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16390 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16391 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16392 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16393 may be arbitrarily combined):
16394
16395 @table @code
16396 @item ALLOBJ
16397 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16398 @item @var{sections}
16399 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16400 @item @var{section-flags}
16401 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16402 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16403 @table @code
16404 @item ALLOC
16405 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16406 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16407 @item LOAD
16408 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16409 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16410 @item RELOC
16411 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16412 @item READONLY
16413 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16414 @item CODE
16415 Section contains executable code only.
16416 @item DATA
16417 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16418 @item ROM
16419 Section will reside in ROM.
16420 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16421 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16422 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16423 Section is not empty.
16424 @item NEVER_LOAD
16425 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16426 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16427 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16428 COFF shared library information.
16429 @item IS_COMMON
16430 Section contains common symbols.
16431 @end table
16432 @end table
16433 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16434 @cindex read-only sections
16435 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16436 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16437 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16438 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16439 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16440 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16441 enhancement to debugging performance.
16442
16443 The default is off.
16444
16445 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16446 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16447 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16448 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16449
16450 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16451 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16452 @end table
16453
16454 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16455 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16456 name and remembers it that way.
16457
16458 @cindex shared libraries
16459 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16460 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16461 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16462
16463 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16464 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16465
16466 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16467 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16468 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16469 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16470 debugging a core file).
16471
16472 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16473 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16474
16475 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16476 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16477 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16478
16479 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16480 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16481 particularly large or there are many of them.
16482
16483 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16484 commands:
16485
16486 @table @code
16487 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16488 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16489 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16490 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16491 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16492 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16493 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16494 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16495
16496 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16497 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16498 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16499 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16500 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16501 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16502 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16503 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16504 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16505
16506 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16507 @item show auto-solib-add
16508 Display the current autoloading mode.
16509 @end table
16510
16511 @cindex load shared library
16512 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16513 command:
16514
16515 @table @code
16516 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16517 @kindex info share
16518 @item info share @var{regex}
16519 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16520 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16521 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16522 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16523
16524 @kindex sharedlibrary
16525 @kindex share
16526 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16527 @itemx share @var{regex}
16528 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16529 Unix regular expression.
16530 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16531 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16532 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16533 loaded.
16534
16535 @item nosharedlibrary
16536 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16537 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16538 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16539 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16540 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16541 discarded.
16542 @end table
16543
16544 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16545 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16546 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16547 Catchpoints}).
16548
16549 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16550 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16551 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16552 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16553
16554 @table @code
16555 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16556 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16557 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16558 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16559 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16560 shared library.
16561
16562 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16563 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16564 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16565 library events happen.
16566 @end table
16567
16568 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16569 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16570 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16571 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16572 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16573 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16574 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16575 not.
16576
16577 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16578 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16579 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16580 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16581 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16582
16583 @table @code
16584 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16585 @cindex system root, alternate
16586 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16587 @kindex set sysroot
16588 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16589 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16590 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16591 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16592 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16593 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16594 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16595 under @var{path}.
16596
16597 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16598 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16599 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16600 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16601 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16602 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16603 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16604 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16605 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16606
16607 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16608 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16609 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16610 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16611 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16612
16613 @smallexample
16614 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16615 @end smallexample
16616
16617 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16618 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16619 system:
16620
16621 @smallexample
16622 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16623 @end smallexample
16624
16625 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16626 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16627 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16628 colons:
16629
16630 @smallexample
16631 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16632 @end smallexample
16633
16634 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16635 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16636 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16637 @samp{z}):
16638
16639 @smallexample
16640 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16641 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16642 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16643 @end smallexample
16644
16645 @noindent
16646 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16647 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16648 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16649
16650 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16651 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16652
16653 @smallexample
16654 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16655 @end smallexample
16656
16657 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16658 if you don't want or need to.
16659
16660 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16661 sysroot}.
16662
16663 @cindex default system root
16664 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16665 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16666 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16667 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16668 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16669 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16670 location.
16671
16672 @kindex show sysroot
16673 @item show sysroot
16674 Display the current shared library prefix.
16675
16676 @kindex set solib-search-path
16677 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16678 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16679 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16680 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16681 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16682 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16683 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16684 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16685 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16686 of shared library symbols.
16687
16688 @kindex show solib-search-path
16689 @item show solib-search-path
16690 Display the current shared library search path.
16691
16692 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16693 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16694 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16695 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16696 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16697
16698 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16699 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16700 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16701 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16702 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16703 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16704 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16705 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16706 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16707 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16708 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16709 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16710 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16711 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16712 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16713 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16714 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16715 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16716 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16717 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16718 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16719 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16720
16721 @table @code
16722 @item unix
16723 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16724 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16725 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16726 the forward slash.
16727
16728 @item dos-based
16729 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16730 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16731 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16732 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16733 considered directory separators.
16734
16735 @item auto
16736 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16737 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16738 This is the default.
16739 @end table
16740 @end table
16741
16742 @cindex file name canonicalization
16743 @cindex base name differences
16744 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16745 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16746 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16747 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16748 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16749 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16750 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16751 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16752 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16753 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16754 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16755 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16756 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16757 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16758 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16759
16760 @table @code
16761 @item set basenames-may-differ
16762 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16763 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16764
16765 @item show basenames-may-differ
16766 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16767 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16768 @end table
16769
16770 @node Separate Debug Files
16771 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16772 @cindex separate debugging information files
16773 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16774 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16775 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16776 @cindex global debugging information directories
16777 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16778 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16779
16780 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16781 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16782 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16783 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16784 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16785 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16786 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16787
16788 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16789 file:
16790
16791 @itemize @bullet
16792 @item
16793 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16794 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16795 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16796 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16797 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16798 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16799 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16800 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16801
16802 @item
16803 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16804 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16805 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16806 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16807 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16808 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16809 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16810 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16811 below.
16812 @end itemize
16813
16814 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16815 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16816
16817 @itemize @bullet
16818 @item
16819 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16820 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16821 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16822 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16823 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16824
16825 @item
16826 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16827 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16828 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16829 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16830 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16831 hex characters, not 10.)
16832 @end itemize
16833
16834 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16835 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16836 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16837 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16838 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16839 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16840
16841 @itemize @minus
16842 @item
16843 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16844 @item
16845 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16846 @item
16847 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16848 @item
16849 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16850 @end itemize
16851
16852 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16853 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16854 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16855 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16856 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16857
16858 @table @code
16859
16860 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16861 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16862 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16863 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16864 concatenating them by a path separator.
16865
16866 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16867 @item show debug-file-directory
16868 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16869 information files.
16870
16871 @end table
16872
16873 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16874 @cindex debug link sections
16875 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16876 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16877
16878 @itemize
16879 @item
16880 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16881 a zero byte,
16882 @item
16883 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16884 boundary within the section, and
16885 @item
16886 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16887 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16888 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16889 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16890 @end itemize
16891
16892 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16893 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16894 described above.
16895
16896 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16897 @cindex build ID sections
16898 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16899 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16900 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16901 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16902 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16903 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16904 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16905 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16906 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16907
16908 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16909 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16910 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16911 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16912 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16913 in an ordinary executable.
16914
16915 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16916 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16917 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16918 following commands:
16919
16920 @smallexample
16921 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16922 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16923 @end smallexample
16924
16925 @noindent
16926 These commands remove the debugging
16927 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16928 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16929 two files:
16930
16931 @itemize @bullet
16932 @item
16933 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16934 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16935
16936 @smallexample
16937 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16938 @end smallexample
16939
16940 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16941 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16942 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16943 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16944
16945 @item
16946 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16947 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16948 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16949 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16950 @end itemize
16951
16952 @noindent
16953
16954 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16955 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16956 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16957
16958 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16959 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16960 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16961 @c different ways!
16962 @ifhtml
16963 @display
16964 @html
16965 <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>
16966 + <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
16967 @end html
16968 @end display
16969 @end ifhtml
16970 @ifnothtml
16971 @display
16972 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16973 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16974 @end display
16975 @end ifnothtml
16976
16977 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16978 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16979 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16980 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16981 CRC.
16982
16983 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16984 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16985 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16986 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16987 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16988 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16989
16990 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16991 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16992 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16993 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16994 @code{0xffffffff}.
16995
16996 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16997 @smallexample
16998 unsigned long
16999 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17000 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17001 @{
17002 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17003 @{
17004 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17005 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17006 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17007 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17008 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17009 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17010 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17011 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17012 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17013 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17014 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17015 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17016 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17017 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17018 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17019 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17020 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17021 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17022 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17023 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17024 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17025 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17026 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17027 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17028 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17029 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17030 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17031 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17032 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17033 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17034 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17035 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17036 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17037 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17038 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17039 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17040 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17041 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17042 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17043 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17044 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17045 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17046 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17047 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17048 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17049 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17050 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17051 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17052 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17053 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17054 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17055 0x2d02ef8d
17056 @};
17057 unsigned char *end;
17058
17059 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17060 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17061 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17062 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17063 @}
17064 @end smallexample
17065
17066 @noindent
17067 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17068
17069 @node MiniDebugInfo
17070 @section Debugging information in a special section
17071 @cindex separate debug sections
17072 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17073
17074 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17075 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17076 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17077 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17078
17079 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17080 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17081 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17082 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17083 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17084 debugging information might be included in the section.
17085
17086 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17087 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17088 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17089
17090 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17091 standard utilities:
17092
17093 @smallexample
17094 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17095 # to also have these in the normal symbol table
17096 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17097 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17098
17099 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
17100 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17101 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
17102 | sort > funcsyms
17103
17104 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17105 # table.
17106 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17107
17108 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17109 # removing some unnecessary sections.
17110 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17111 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
17112
17113 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17114 # original binary.
17115 xz mini_debuginfo
17116 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17117 @end smallexample
17118
17119 @node Index Files
17120 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17121 @cindex index files
17122 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17123
17124 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17125 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17126 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17127 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17128 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17129 startup.
17130
17131 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17132 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17133 using @command{objcopy}.
17134
17135 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17136
17137 @table @code
17138 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17139 @kindex save gdb-index
17140 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17141 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17142 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17143 @var{directory}.
17144 @end table
17145
17146 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17147 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17148
17149 @smallexample
17150 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17151 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17152 @end smallexample
17153
17154 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17155 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17156 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17157 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17158 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17159 The default is @code{off}.
17160 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17161 @xref{Index Section Format}.
17162
17163 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17164 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17165
17166 @smallexample
17167 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17168 @end smallexample
17169
17170 Instead you must do, for example,
17171
17172 @smallexample
17173 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17174 @end smallexample
17175
17176 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17177 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17178 currently work for programs using Ada.
17179
17180 @node Symbol Errors
17181 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17182
17183 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17184 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17185 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17186 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17187 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17188 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17189 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17190 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17191 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17192 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17193 Messages}).
17194
17195 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17196
17197 @table @code
17198 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17199
17200 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17201 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17202 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17203 in its outer scope blocks.
17204
17205 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17206 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17207 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17208 function.
17209
17210 @item block at @var{address} out of order
17211
17212 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17213 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17214 do so.
17215
17216 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17217 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17218 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17219 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17220 Messages}.)
17221
17222 @item bad block start address patched
17223
17224 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17225 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17226 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17227
17228 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17229 starting on the previous source line.
17230
17231 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17232
17233 @cindex foo
17234 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17235 larger than the size of the string table.
17236
17237 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17238 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17239 with this name.
17240
17241 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17242
17243 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17244 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17245 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17246
17247 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17248 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17249 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17250 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17251 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17252 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17253
17254 @item stub type has NULL name
17255
17256 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17257
17258 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17259 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17260 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17261 it.
17262
17263 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17264
17265 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17266
17267 @end table
17268
17269 @node Data Files
17270 @section GDB Data Files
17271
17272 @cindex prefix for data files
17273 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17274 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17275
17276 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17277 is currently using.
17278
17279 @table @code
17280 @kindex set data-directory
17281 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17282 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17283 to @var{directory}.
17284
17285 @kindex show data-directory
17286 @item show data-directory
17287 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17288 @end table
17289
17290 @cindex default data directory
17291 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17292 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17293 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17294 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17295 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17296 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17297 location.
17298
17299 The data directory may also be specified with the
17300 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17301 @xref{Mode Options}.
17302
17303 @node Targets
17304 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17305
17306 @cindex debugging target
17307 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17308
17309 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17310 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17311 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17312 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17313 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17314 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17315 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17316 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17317
17318 @cindex target architecture
17319 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17320 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17321 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17322 command.
17323
17324 @table @code
17325 @kindex set architecture
17326 @kindex show architecture
17327 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17328 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17329 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17330 supported architectures.
17331
17332 @item show architecture
17333 Show the current target architecture.
17334
17335 @item set processor
17336 @itemx processor
17337 @kindex set processor
17338 @kindex show processor
17339 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17340 and @code{show architecture}.
17341 @end table
17342
17343 @menu
17344 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17345 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17346 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17347 @end menu
17348
17349 @node Active Targets
17350 @section Active Targets
17351
17352 @cindex stacking targets
17353 @cindex active targets
17354 @cindex multiple targets
17355
17356 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17357 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17358 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17359 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17360 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17361 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17362 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17363 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17364 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17365
17366 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17367 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17368 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17369 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17370
17371 @node Target Commands
17372 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17373
17374 @table @code
17375 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17376 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17377 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17378 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17379 protocol of the target machine.
17380
17381 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17382 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17383 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17384
17385 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17386 after executing the command.
17387
17388 @kindex help target
17389 @item help target
17390 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17391 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17392 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17393
17394 @item help target @var{name}
17395 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17396 select it.
17397
17398 @kindex set gnutarget
17399 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17400 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17401 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17402 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17403 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17404 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17405
17406 @quotation
17407 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17408 you must know the actual BFD name.
17409 @end quotation
17410
17411 @noindent
17412 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17413
17414 @kindex show gnutarget
17415 @item show gnutarget
17416 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17417 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17418 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17419 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17420 @end table
17421
17422 @cindex common targets
17423 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17424 configuration):
17425
17426 @table @code
17427 @kindex target
17428 @item target exec @var{program}
17429 @cindex executable file target
17430 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17431 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17432
17433 @item target core @var{filename}
17434 @cindex core dump file target
17435 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17436 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17437
17438 @item target remote @var{medium}
17439 @cindex remote target
17440 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17441 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17442 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17443
17444 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17445 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17446
17447 @smallexample
17448 target remote /dev/ttya
17449 @end smallexample
17450
17451 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17452 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17453 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17454 clobbered by the download.
17455
17456 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17457 @cindex built-in simulator target
17458 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17459 In general,
17460 @smallexample
17461 target sim
17462 load
17463 run
17464 @end smallexample
17465 @noindent
17466 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17467 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17468 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17469 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17470 Processors}.
17471
17472 @end table
17473
17474 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17475
17476 @table @code
17477
17478 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17479 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17480 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17481
17482 @end table
17483
17484 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17485 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17486
17487 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17488 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17489 various aspects of this process.
17490
17491 @table @code
17492
17493 @item set hash
17494 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17495 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17496 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17497 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17498 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17499 monitor.
17500
17501 @item show hash
17502 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17503 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17504
17505 @item set debug monitor
17506 @kindex set debug monitor
17507 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17508 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17509 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17510
17511 @item show debug monitor
17512 @kindex show debug monitor
17513 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17514 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17515 @end table
17516
17517 @table @code
17518
17519 @kindex load @var{filename}
17520 @item load @var{filename}
17521 @anchor{load}
17522 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17523 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17524 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17525 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17526 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17527 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17528
17529 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17530 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17531 target is @dots{}}''
17532
17533 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17534 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17535 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17536 specifies a fixed address.
17537 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17538
17539 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17540 load programs into flash memory.
17541
17542 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17543 @end table
17544
17545 @node Byte Order
17546 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17547
17548 @cindex choosing target byte order
17549 @cindex target byte order
17550
17551 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17552 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17553 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17554 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17555 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17556 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17557
17558 @table @code
17559 @kindex set endian
17560 @item set endian big
17561 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17562
17563 @item set endian little
17564 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17565
17566 @item set endian auto
17567 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17568 executable.
17569
17570 @item show endian
17571 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17572
17573 @end table
17574
17575 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17576 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17577 target system.
17578
17579
17580 @node Remote Debugging
17581 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17582 @cindex remote debugging
17583
17584 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17585 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17586 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17587 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17588 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17589
17590 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17591 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17592 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17593 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17594 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17595 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17596
17597 Other remote targets may be available in your
17598 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17599
17600 @menu
17601 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17602 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17603 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17604 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17605 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17606 @end menu
17607
17608 @node Connecting
17609 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17610
17611 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17612 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17613 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17614 program as the first argument.
17615
17616 @cindex @code{target remote}
17617 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17618 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17619 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17620 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17621 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17622 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17623
17624 @table @code
17625
17626 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17627 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17628 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17629 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17630
17631 @smallexample
17632 target remote /dev/ttyb
17633 @end smallexample
17634
17635 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17636 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17637 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17638 @code{target} command.
17639
17640 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17641 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17642 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17643 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17644 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17645 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17646 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17647 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17648 target.
17649
17650 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17651 @code{manyfarms}:
17652
17653 @smallexample
17654 target remote manyfarms:2828
17655 @end smallexample
17656
17657 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17658 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17659 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17660 port 1234 on your local machine:
17661
17662 @smallexample
17663 target remote :1234
17664 @end smallexample
17665 @noindent
17666
17667 Note that the colon is still required here.
17668
17669 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17670 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17671 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17672 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17673
17674 @smallexample
17675 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17676 @end smallexample
17677
17678 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17679 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17680 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17681 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17682
17683 @item target remote | @var{command}
17684 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17685 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17686 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17687 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17688 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17689 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17690 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17691 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17692
17693 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17694 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17695 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17696
17697 @end table
17698
17699 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17700 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17701 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17702 need to use @kbd{run}.
17703
17704 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17705 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17706 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17707 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17708 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17709 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17710 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17711
17712 @smallexample
17713 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17714 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17715 @end smallexample
17716
17717 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17718 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17719 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17720 goes back to waiting.
17721
17722 @table @code
17723 @kindex detach (remote)
17724 @item detach
17725 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17726 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17727 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17728 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17729 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17730
17731 @kindex disconnect
17732 @item disconnect
17733 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17734 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17735 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17736 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17737 another target.
17738
17739 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17740 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17741 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17742 @kindex monitor
17743 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17744 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17745 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17746 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17747 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17748 and implement.
17749 @end table
17750
17751 @node File Transfer
17752 @section Sending files to a remote system
17753 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17754 @cindex file transfer
17755 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17756
17757 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17758 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17759 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17760 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17761 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17762 the only way to upload or download files.
17763
17764 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17765
17766 @table @code
17767 @kindex remote put
17768 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17769 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17770 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17771
17772 @kindex remote get
17773 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17774 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17775 on the host system.
17776
17777 @kindex remote delete
17778 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17779 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17780
17781 @end table
17782
17783 @node Server
17784 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17785
17786 @kindex gdbserver
17787 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17788 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17789 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17790 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17791
17792 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17793 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17794 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17795 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17796 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17797 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17798 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17799 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17800 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17801 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17802 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17803 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17804 choice for debugging.
17805
17806 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17807 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17808 protocol.
17809
17810 @quotation
17811 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17812 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17813 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17814 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17815 @code{gdbserver}.
17816 @end quotation
17817
17818 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17819 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17820 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17821
17822 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17823 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17824 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17825 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17826 system does all the symbol handling.
17827
17828 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17829 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17830 syntax is:
17831
17832 @smallexample
17833 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17834 @end smallexample
17835
17836 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17837 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17838 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17839 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17840 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17841 @file{/dev/com1}:
17842
17843 @smallexample
17844 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17845 @end smallexample
17846
17847 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17848 with it.
17849
17850 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17851
17852 @smallexample
17853 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17854 @end smallexample
17855
17856 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17857 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17858 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17859 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17860 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17861 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17862 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17863 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17864 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17865 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17866 @code{target remote} command.
17867
17868 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17869 with ssh:
17870
17871 @smallexample
17872 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17873 @end smallexample
17874
17875 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17876 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17877 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17878 You could elide it if you want to.
17879
17880 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17881 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17882 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17883 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17884
17885 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17886 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17887 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17888
17889 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17890 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17891
17892 @smallexample
17893 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17894 @end smallexample
17895
17896 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17897 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17898
17899 @pindex pidof
17900 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17901 @code{pidof} utility:
17902
17903 @smallexample
17904 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17905 @end smallexample
17906
17907 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17908 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17909 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17910
17911 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17912 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17913 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17914
17915 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17916 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17917 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17918 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17919
17920 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17921 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17922 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17923 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17924 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17925 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17926 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17927 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17928 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17929
17930 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17931 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17932 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17933 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17934 the program you want to debug.
17935
17936 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17937 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17938 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17939 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17940 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17941 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17942
17943 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17944
17945 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17946
17947 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17948 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17949 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17950 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17951 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17952 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17953 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17954 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17955
17956 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17957 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17958 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17959
17960 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17961 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17962 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17963 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17964 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17965 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17966 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17967 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17968 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17969 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17970 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17971 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17972
17973 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17974
17975 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17976 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17977 status information about the debugging process.
17978 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17979 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17980 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17981 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17982
17983 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17984 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17985 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17986 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17987 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17988
17989 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17990 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17991 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17992 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17993
17994 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17995 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17996 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17997 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17998
17999 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18000 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18001 environment:
18002
18003 @smallexample
18004 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18005 @end smallexample
18006
18007 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18008
18009 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18010
18011 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18012 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18013 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18014 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18015
18016 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18017 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18018 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18019 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18020 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18021 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18022 programs.
18023
18024 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18025 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18026 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18027 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18028 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18029 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18030 already on the target.
18031
18032 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18033 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18034 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18035
18036 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18037 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18038 Here are the available commands.
18039
18040 @table @code
18041 @item monitor help
18042 List the available monitor commands.
18043
18044 @item monitor set debug 0
18045 @itemx monitor set debug 1
18046 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18047
18048 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
18049 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18050 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18051 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18052
18053 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18054 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18055 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18056 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18057 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18058 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18059
18060 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18061 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18062
18063 @item monitor exit
18064 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18065 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18066 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18067 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18068 of a multi-process mode debug session.
18069
18070 @end table
18071
18072 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18073 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18074
18075 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18076 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18077
18078 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18079 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18080 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18081 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18082 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18083 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18084 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18085 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18086 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18087 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18088 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18089 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18090
18091 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18092
18093 @table @code
18094 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18095
18096 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18097 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18098 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18099
18100 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18101
18102 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18103 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18104 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18105 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18106 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18107 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
18108
18109 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18110
18111 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18112 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18113 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18114 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18115 command for that. For example:
18116
18117 @smallexample
18118 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18119 @end smallexample
18120
18121 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18122 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18123 @end table
18124
18125 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18126 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18127 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18128 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18129 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18130 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18131 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18132 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18133 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18134 @code{gdbserver} like so:
18135
18136 @smallexample
18137 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18138 @end smallexample
18139
18140 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18141
18142 @smallexample
18143 $ gdb myprogram
18144 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
18145 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18146 (@value{GDBP}) b main
18147 (@value{GDBP}) continue
18148 @end smallexample
18149
18150 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18151 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18152 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18153 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18154 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18155 tracing.
18156
18157 @node Remote Configuration
18158 @section Remote Configuration
18159
18160 @kindex set remote
18161 @kindex show remote
18162 This section documents the configuration options available when
18163 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18164 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18165 system-call-allowed}.
18166
18167 @table @code
18168 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18169 @cindex address size for remote targets
18170 @cindex bits in remote address
18171 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18172 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18173 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18174 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18175
18176 @item show remoteaddresssize
18177 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18178
18179 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
18180 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
18181 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18182 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18183 remote targets.
18184
18185 @item show remotebaud
18186 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18187
18188 @item set remotebreak
18189 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18190 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18191 @anchor{set remotebreak}
18192 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18193 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18194 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18195 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18196 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18197
18198 @item show remotebreak
18199 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18200 interrupt the remote program.
18201
18202 @item set remoteflow on
18203 @itemx set remoteflow off
18204 @kindex set remoteflow
18205 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18206 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18207
18208 @item show remoteflow
18209 @kindex show remoteflow
18210 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18211
18212 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18213 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18214 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18215 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18216 @code{ascii}.
18217
18218 @item show remotelogbase
18219 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18220 protocol.
18221
18222 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18223 @cindex record serial communications on file
18224 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18225 default is not to record at all.
18226
18227 @item show remotelogfile.
18228 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18229 serial communications.
18230
18231 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18232 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18233 @cindex remote timeout
18234 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18235 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18236
18237 @item show remotetimeout
18238 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18239 responses.
18240
18241 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18242 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18243 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18244 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18245 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18246 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18247 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18248 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18249
18250 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18251 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18252 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18253 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18254 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18255 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18256 as unlimited.
18257
18258 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18259 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18260 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18261
18262 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18263 @itemx show remote exec-file
18264 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18265 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18266 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18267 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18268 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18269 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18270
18271 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18272 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18273 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18274 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18275 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18276 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18277 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18278 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18279 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18280 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18281
18282 @item show interrupt-sequence
18283 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18284 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18285 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18286 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18287
18288 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18289 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18290 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18291 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18292 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18293 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18294
18295 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18296 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18297 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18298
18299 @kindex set tcp
18300 @kindex show tcp
18301 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18302 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18303 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18304 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18305 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18306 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18307 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18308 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18309 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18310
18311 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18312 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18313
18314 @item show tcp auto-retry
18315 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18316
18317 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18318 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18319 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18320 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18321 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18322 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18323 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18324 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18325 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18326 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18327 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18328
18329 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18330 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18331 @end table
18332
18333 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18334 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18335 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18336 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18337 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18338 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18339 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18340 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18341 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18342
18343 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18344 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18345 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18346 @value{GDBN} developers.
18347
18348 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18349 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18350 are:
18351
18352 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18353 @item Command Name
18354 @tab Remote Packet
18355 @tab Related Features
18356
18357 @item @code{fetch-register}
18358 @tab @code{p}
18359 @tab @code{info registers}
18360
18361 @item @code{set-register}
18362 @tab @code{P}
18363 @tab @code{set}
18364
18365 @item @code{binary-download}
18366 @tab @code{X}
18367 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18368
18369 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18370 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18371 @tab @code{info auxv}
18372
18373 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18374 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18375 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18376
18377 @item @code{attach}
18378 @tab @code{vAttach}
18379 @tab @code{attach}
18380
18381 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18382 @tab @code{vCont}
18383 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18384
18385 @item @code{run}
18386 @tab @code{vRun}
18387 @tab @code{run}
18388
18389 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18390 @tab @code{Z0}
18391 @tab @code{break}
18392
18393 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18394 @tab @code{Z1}
18395 @tab @code{hbreak}
18396
18397 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18398 @tab @code{Z2}
18399 @tab @code{watch}
18400
18401 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18402 @tab @code{Z3}
18403 @tab @code{rwatch}
18404
18405 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18406 @tab @code{Z4}
18407 @tab @code{awatch}
18408
18409 @item @code{target-features}
18410 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18411 @tab @code{set architecture}
18412
18413 @item @code{library-info}
18414 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18415 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18416
18417 @item @code{memory-map}
18418 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18419 @tab @code{info mem}
18420
18421 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18422 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18423 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18424
18425 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18426 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18427 @tab @code{info spu}
18428
18429 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18430 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18431 @tab @code{info spu}
18432
18433 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18434 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18435 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18436
18437 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18438 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18439 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18440
18441 @item @code{threads}
18442 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18443 @tab @code{info threads}
18444
18445 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18446 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18447 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18448
18449 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18450 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18451 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18452
18453 @item @code{search-memory}
18454 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18455 @tab @code{find}
18456
18457 @item @code{supported-packets}
18458 @tab @code{qSupported}
18459 @tab Remote communications parameters
18460
18461 @item @code{pass-signals}
18462 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18463 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18464
18465 @item @code{program-signals}
18466 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18467 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18468
18469 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18470 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18471 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18472
18473 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18474 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18475 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18476
18477 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18478 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18479 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18480
18481 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18482 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18483 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18484
18485 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18486 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18487 @tab @code{remote delete}
18488
18489 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18490 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18491 @tab Host I/O
18492
18493 @item @code{noack-packet}
18494 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18495 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18496
18497 @item @code{osdata}
18498 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18499 @tab @code{info os}
18500
18501 @item @code{query-attached}
18502 @tab @code{qAttached}
18503 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18504
18505 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18506 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18507 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18508
18509 @item @code{trace-status}
18510 @tab @code{qTStatus}
18511 @tab @code{tstatus}
18512
18513 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18514 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18515 @tab Traceframe info
18516
18517 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18518 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18519 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18520
18521 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18522 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18523 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18524
18525 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18526 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18527 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18528 @end multitable
18529
18530 @node Remote Stub
18531 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18532
18533 @cindex debugging stub, example
18534 @cindex remote stub, example
18535 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18536 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18537 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18538 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18539 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18540 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18541 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18542 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18543
18544 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18545 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18546 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18547 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18548 program, you need:
18549
18550 @enumerate
18551 @item
18552 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18553 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18554 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18555
18556 @item
18557 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18558 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18559
18560 @item
18561 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18562 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18563 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18564 documentation.
18565 @end enumerate
18566
18567 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18568 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18569 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18570
18571 @table @emph
18572 @item On the host,
18573 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18574 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18575 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18576
18577 @item On the target,
18578 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18579 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18580 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18581
18582 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18583 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18584 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18585 @end table
18586
18587 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18588 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18589 @sc{sparc} boards.
18590
18591 @cindex remote serial stub list
18592 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18593
18594 @table @code
18595
18596 @item i386-stub.c
18597 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18598 @cindex Intel
18599 @cindex i386
18600 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18601
18602 @item m68k-stub.c
18603 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18604 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18605 @cindex m680x0
18606 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18607
18608 @item sh-stub.c
18609 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18610 @cindex Renesas
18611 @cindex SH
18612 For Renesas SH architectures.
18613
18614 @item sparc-stub.c
18615 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18616 @cindex Sparc
18617 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18618
18619 @item sparcl-stub.c
18620 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18621 @cindex Fujitsu
18622 @cindex SparcLite
18623 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18624
18625 @end table
18626
18627 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18628 recently added stubs.
18629
18630 @menu
18631 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18632 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18633 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18634 @end menu
18635
18636 @node Stub Contents
18637 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18638
18639 @cindex remote serial stub
18640 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18641 subroutines:
18642
18643 @table @code
18644 @item set_debug_traps
18645 @findex set_debug_traps
18646 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18647 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18648 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18649 program's startup code.
18650
18651 @item handle_exception
18652 @findex handle_exception
18653 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18654 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18655 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18656 run when a trap is triggered.
18657
18658 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18659 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18660 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18661 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18662 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18663 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18664 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18665 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18666 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18667 machine.
18668
18669 @item breakpoint
18670 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18671 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18672 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18673 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18674 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18675 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18676 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18677 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18678 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18679 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18680 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18681
18682 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18683 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18684 start of your debugging session.
18685 @end table
18686
18687 @node Bootstrapping
18688 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18689
18690 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18691 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18692 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18693 debugging target machine.
18694
18695 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18696 serial port.
18697
18698 @table @code
18699 @item int getDebugChar()
18700 @findex getDebugChar
18701 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18702 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18703 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18704
18705 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18706 @findex putDebugChar
18707 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18708 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18709 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18710 @end table
18711
18712 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18713 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18714 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18715 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18716 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18717 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18718 remote system to stop.
18719
18720 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18721 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18722 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18723 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18724
18725 Other routines you need to supply are:
18726
18727 @table @code
18728 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18729 @findex exceptionHandler
18730 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18731 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18732 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18733 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18734 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18735 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18736 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18737 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18738 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18739 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18740 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18741 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18742 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18743
18744 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18745 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18746 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18747 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18748 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18749
18750 @item void flush_i_cache()
18751 @findex flush_i_cache
18752 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18753 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18754 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18755
18756 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18757 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18758 @end table
18759
18760 @noindent
18761 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18762
18763 @table @code
18764 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18765 @findex memset
18766 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18767 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18768 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18769 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18770 @end table
18771
18772 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18773 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18774 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18775 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18776
18777
18778 @node Debug Session
18779 @subsection Putting it All Together
18780
18781 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18782 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18783 steps.
18784
18785 @enumerate
18786 @item
18787 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18788 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18789 @display
18790 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18791 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18792 @end display
18793
18794 @item
18795 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18796 procedure is called:
18797
18798 @smallexample
18799 set_debug_traps();
18800 breakpoint();
18801 @end smallexample
18802
18803 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18804 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18805 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18806 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18807 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18808 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18809 progress.
18810
18811 @item
18812 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18813 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18814
18815 @smallexample
18816 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18817 @end smallexample
18818
18819 @noindent
18820 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18821 function in your program, that function is called when
18822 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18823 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18824 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18825
18826 @item
18827 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18828 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18829
18830 @item
18831 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18832 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18833
18834 @item
18835 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18836 @c document that. FIXME.
18837 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18838 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18839
18840 @item
18841 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18842 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18843
18844 @end enumerate
18845
18846 @node Configurations
18847 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18848
18849 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18850 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18851 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18852
18853 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18854 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18855 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18856 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18857 are quite different from each other.
18858
18859 @menu
18860 * Native::
18861 * Embedded OS::
18862 * Embedded Processors::
18863 * Architectures::
18864 @end menu
18865
18866 @node Native
18867 @section Native
18868
18869 This section describes details specific to particular native
18870 configurations.
18871
18872 @menu
18873 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
18874 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18875 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18876 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18877 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18878 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18879 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18880 @end menu
18881
18882 @node HP-UX
18883 @subsection HP-UX
18884
18885 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18886 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18887 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18888
18889
18890 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18891 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18892
18893 @cindex libkvm
18894 @cindex kernel memory image
18895 @cindex kernel crash dump
18896
18897 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18898 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18899 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18900 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18901 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18902 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18903 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18904 @code{kvm} target:
18905
18906 @smallexample
18907 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18908 @end smallexample
18909
18910 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18911 argument:
18912
18913 @smallexample
18914 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18915 @end smallexample
18916
18917 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18918 available:
18919
18920 @table @code
18921 @kindex kvm
18922 @item kvm pcb
18923 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18924
18925 @item kvm proc
18926 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18927 modern FreeBSD systems.
18928 @end table
18929
18930 @node SVR4 Process Information
18931 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18932 @cindex /proc
18933 @cindex examine process image
18934 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18935
18936 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18937 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18938 process using file-system subroutines.
18939
18940 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
18941 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
18942 information about the process running your program, or about any
18943 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
18944 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
18945 not HP-UX, for example.
18946
18947 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
18948 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
18949
18950 @table @code
18951 @kindex info proc
18952 @cindex process ID
18953 @item info proc
18954 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18955 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18956 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18957 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18958 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18959 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18960 executable file's absolute file name.
18961
18962 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18963 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18964 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18965 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18966 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18967 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18968
18969 @item info proc cmdline
18970 @cindex info proc cmdline
18971 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
18972 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18973
18974 @item info proc cwd
18975 @cindex info proc cwd
18976 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
18977 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18978
18979 @item info proc exe
18980 @cindex info proc exe
18981 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
18982 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18983
18984 @item info proc mappings
18985 @cindex memory address space mappings
18986 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18987 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18988 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18989 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18990 memory access rights to that range.
18991
18992 @item info proc stat
18993 @itemx info proc status
18994 @cindex process detailed status information
18995 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18996 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18997 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18998 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18999 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19000 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19001 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19002
19003 @item info proc all
19004 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19005 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19006
19007 @ignore
19008 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19009 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19010 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19011 @kindex info proc times
19012 @item info proc times
19013 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19014 its children.
19015
19016 @kindex info proc id
19017 @item info proc id
19018 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19019 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19020 @end ignore
19021
19022 @item set procfs-trace
19023 @kindex set procfs-trace
19024 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19025 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19026
19027 @item show procfs-trace
19028 @kindex show procfs-trace
19029 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19030
19031 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
19032 @kindex set procfs-file
19033 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19034 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19035 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19036 standard output.
19037
19038 @item show procfs-file
19039 @kindex show procfs-file
19040 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19041
19042 @item proc-trace-entry
19043 @itemx proc-trace-exit
19044 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
19045 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
19046 @kindex proc-trace-entry
19047 @kindex proc-trace-exit
19048 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
19049 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
19050 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19051 from the @code{syscall} interface.
19052
19053 @item info pidlist
19054 @kindex info pidlist
19055 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19056 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19057 processes and all the threads within each process.
19058
19059 @item info meminfo
19060 @kindex info meminfo
19061 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19062 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19063 @end table
19064
19065 @node DJGPP Native
19066 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19067 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19068 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19069 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19070
19071 @cindex DPMI
19072 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19073 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19074 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19075 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19076
19077 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19078 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19079 subsection describes those commands.
19080
19081 @table @code
19082 @kindex info dos
19083 @item info dos
19084 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19085 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19086
19087 @kindex sysinfo
19088 @cindex MS-DOS system info
19089 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19090 @item info dos sysinfo
19091 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19092 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19093 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19094
19095 @cindex GDT
19096 @cindex LDT
19097 @cindex IDT
19098 @cindex segment descriptor tables
19099 @cindex descriptor tables display
19100 @item info dos gdt
19101 @itemx info dos ldt
19102 @itemx info dos idt
19103 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19104 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19105 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19106 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19107 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19108 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19109 rights.
19110
19111 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19112 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19113 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19114 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19115 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19116
19117 @cindex garbled pointers
19118 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19119 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19120 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19121 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19122 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19123 debugged program's data segment:
19124
19125 @smallexample
19126 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19127 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19128 @end smallexample
19129
19130 @noindent
19131 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19132 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19133
19134 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19135 @item info dos pde
19136 @itemx info dos pte
19137 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19138 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19139 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19140 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19141 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19142 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19143 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19144 that is currently in use.
19145
19146 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19147 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19148 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19149 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19150 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19151 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19152 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19153
19154 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19155 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19156 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19157 controller.
19158
19159 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19160
19161 @cindex physical address from linear address
19162 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19163 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19164 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19165 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19166 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19167 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19168 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19169
19170 @smallexample
19171 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19172 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19173 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19174 @end smallexample
19175
19176 @noindent
19177 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19178 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19179 attributes of that page.
19180
19181 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19182 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19183 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19184 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19185 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19186 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19187
19188 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19189 transfer buffer:
19190
19191 @smallexample
19192 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19193 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19194 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19195 @end smallexample
19196
19197 @noindent
19198 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
19199 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19200 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19201 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19202 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19203
19204 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19205 @end table
19206
19207 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19208 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19209 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19210 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19211
19212 @table @code
19213 @kindex set com1base
19214 @kindex set com1irq
19215 @kindex set com2base
19216 @kindex set com2irq
19217 @kindex set com3base
19218 @kindex set com3irq
19219 @kindex set com4base
19220 @kindex set com4irq
19221 @item set com1base @var{addr}
19222 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19223 port.
19224
19225 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
19226 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19227 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19228
19229 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19230 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19231 other 3 COM ports.
19232
19233 @kindex show com1base
19234 @kindex show com1irq
19235 @kindex show com2base
19236 @kindex show com2irq
19237 @kindex show com3base
19238 @kindex show com3irq
19239 @kindex show com4base
19240 @kindex show com4irq
19241 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19242 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19243 lines used by the COM ports.
19244
19245 @item info serial
19246 @kindex info serial
19247 @cindex DOS serial port status
19248 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19249 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19250 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19251 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19252 @end table
19253
19254
19255 @node Cygwin Native
19256 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19257 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19258 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19259 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19260
19261 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19262 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19263
19264 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19265 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19266 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19267 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19268 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19269 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19270 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19271 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19272
19273 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19274 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19275 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19276
19277 @table @code
19278 @kindex info w32
19279 @item info w32
19280 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19281 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19282
19283 @item info w32 selector
19284 This command displays information returned by
19285 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19286 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19287 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19288 Without argument, this command displays information
19289 about the six segment registers.
19290
19291 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19292 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19293 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19294 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19295
19296 @kindex info dll
19297 @item info dll
19298 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19299
19300 @kindex dll-symbols
19301 @item dll-symbols
19302 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19303 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19304
19305 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19306 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19307 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19308 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19309 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19310 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19311 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19312 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19313 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19314 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19315 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19316
19317 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19318 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19319 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19320 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19321
19322 @kindex set new-console
19323 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19324 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19325 be started in a new console on next start.
19326 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19327 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19328
19329 @kindex show new-console
19330 @item show new-console
19331 Displays whether a new console is used
19332 when the debuggee is started.
19333
19334 @kindex set new-group
19335 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19336 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19337 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19338 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19339 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
19340
19341 @kindex show new-group
19342 @item show new-group
19343 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19344
19345 @kindex set debugevents
19346 @item set debugevents
19347 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19348 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19349 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19350 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19351 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19352
19353 @kindex set debugexec
19354 @item set debugexec
19355 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19356 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19357
19358 @kindex set debugexceptions
19359 @item set debugexceptions
19360 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19361 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19362
19363 @kindex set debugmemory
19364 @item set debugmemory
19365 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19366 and writes by the debugger.
19367
19368 @kindex set shell
19369 @item set shell
19370 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19371 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19372
19373 @kindex show shell
19374 @item show shell
19375 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19376
19377 @end table
19378
19379 @menu
19380 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19381 @end menu
19382
19383 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19384 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19385 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19386 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19387
19388 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19389 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19390 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19391 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19392 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19393 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19394 ``minimal symbols''.
19395
19396 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19397 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19398 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19399 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19400 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19401 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19402 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19403 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19404 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19405 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19406
19407 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19408
19409 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19410 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19411 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19412 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19413 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19414 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19415 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19416 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19417 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19418
19419 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19420 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19421 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19422 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19423 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19424 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19425
19426 @smallexample
19427 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19428 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19429
19430 Non-debugging symbols:
19431 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19432 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19433 @end smallexample
19434
19435 @smallexample
19436 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19437 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19438
19439 Non-debugging symbols:
19440 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19441 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19442 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19443 [etc...]
19444 @end smallexample
19445
19446 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19447
19448 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19449 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19450 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19451 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19452 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19453 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19454 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19455
19456 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19457 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19458 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19459 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19460 problem:
19461
19462 @smallexample
19463 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19464 $1 = 268572168
19465 @end smallexample
19466
19467 @smallexample
19468 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19469 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19470 @end smallexample
19471
19472 And two possible solutions:
19473
19474 @smallexample
19475 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19476 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19477 @end smallexample
19478
19479 @smallexample
19480 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19481 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19482 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19483 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19484 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19485 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19486 @end smallexample
19487
19488 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19489 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19490 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19491 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19492 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19493
19494 @smallexample
19495 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19496 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19497 @end smallexample
19498
19499 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19500 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19501 safe.
19502
19503 @node Hurd Native
19504 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19505 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19506
19507 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19508 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19509
19510 @table @code
19511 @item set signals
19512 @itemx set sigs
19513 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19514 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19515 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19516 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19517 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19518 @code{signals}.
19519
19520 @item show signals
19521 @itemx show sigs
19522 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19523 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19524 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19525
19526 @item set signal-thread
19527 @itemx set sigthread
19528 @kindex set signal-thread
19529 @kindex set sigthread
19530 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19531 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19532 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19533 signal-thread}.
19534
19535 @item show signal-thread
19536 @itemx show sigthread
19537 @kindex show signal-thread
19538 @kindex show sigthread
19539 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19540 delivered a signal.
19541
19542 @item set stopped
19543 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19544 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19545 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19546 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19547
19548 @item show stopped
19549 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19550 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19551 stopped.
19552
19553 @item set exceptions
19554 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19555 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19556 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19557 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19558 trapping on.
19559
19560 @item show exceptions
19561 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19562 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19563
19564 @item set task pause
19565 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19566 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19567 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19568 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19569 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19570 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19571 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19572 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19573 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19574
19575 @item show task pause
19576 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19577 Show the current state of task suspension.
19578
19579 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19580 @cindex task suspend count
19581 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19582 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19583 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19584
19585 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19586 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19587
19588 @item set task exception-port
19589 @itemx set task excp
19590 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19591 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19592 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19593 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19594
19595 @item set noninvasive
19596 @cindex noninvasive task options
19597 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19598 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19599 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19600 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19601
19602 @item info send-rights
19603 @itemx info receive-rights
19604 @itemx info port-rights
19605 @itemx info port-sets
19606 @itemx info dead-names
19607 @itemx info ports
19608 @itemx info psets
19609 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19610 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19611 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19612 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19613 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19614 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19615 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19616 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19617 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19618
19619 @item set thread pause
19620 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19621 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19622 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19623 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19624 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19625 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19626 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19627 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19628 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19629 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19630 only the current thread.
19631
19632 @item show thread pause
19633 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19634 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19635
19636 @item set thread run
19637 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19638
19639 @item show thread run
19640 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19641
19642 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19643 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19644 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19645 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19646 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19647 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19648 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19649
19650 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19651 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19652 detaching.
19653
19654 @item set thread exception-port
19655 @itemx set thread excp
19656 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19657 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19658 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19659
19660 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19661 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19662 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19663 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19664
19665 @item set thread default
19666 @itemx show thread default
19667 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19668 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19669 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19670 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19671 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19672 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19673 the non-default commands.
19674 @end table
19675
19676 @node Darwin
19677 @subsection Darwin
19678 @cindex Darwin
19679
19680 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19681
19682 @table @code
19683 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19684 @kindex set debug darwin
19685 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19686 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19687
19688 @item show debug darwin
19689 @kindex show debug darwin
19690 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19691
19692 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19693 @kindex set debug mach-o
19694 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19695 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19696 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19697 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19698 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19699 usage.
19700
19701 @item show debug mach-o
19702 @kindex show debug mach-o
19703 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19704
19705 @item set mach-exceptions on
19706 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19707 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19708 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19709 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19710 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19711 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19712
19713 @item show mach-exceptions
19714 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19715 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19716 @end table
19717
19718
19719 @node Embedded OS
19720 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19721
19722 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19723 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19724 architectures.
19725
19726 @menu
19727 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19728 @end menu
19729
19730 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19731 various real-time operating systems.
19732
19733 @node VxWorks
19734 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19735
19736 @cindex VxWorks
19737
19738 @table @code
19739
19740 @kindex target vxworks
19741 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19742 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19743 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19744
19745 @end table
19746
19747 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19748 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19749
19750 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19751 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19752 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19753 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19754 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19755 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19756 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19757
19758 @table @code
19759 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19760 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19761 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19762 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19763 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19764 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19765 of a thin network line.
19766 @end table
19767
19768 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19769 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19770 procedures.
19771
19772 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19773 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19774 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19775 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19776 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19777 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19778 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19779 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19780 manual.
19781 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19782
19783 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19784 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19785 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19786 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19787
19788 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19789
19790 @smallexample
19791 (vxgdb)
19792 @end smallexample
19793
19794 @menu
19795 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19796 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19797 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19798 @end menu
19799
19800 @node VxWorks Connection
19801 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19802
19803 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19804 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19805
19806 @smallexample
19807 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19808 @end smallexample
19809
19810 @need 750
19811 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19812
19813 @smallexample
19814 Attaching remote machine across net...
19815 Connected to tt.
19816 @end smallexample
19817
19818 @need 1000
19819 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19820 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19821 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19822 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19823 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19824
19825 @smallexample
19826 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19827 @end smallexample
19828
19829 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19830 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19831 command again.
19832
19833 @node VxWorks Download
19834 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19835
19836 @cindex download to VxWorks
19837 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19838 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19839 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19840 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19841 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19842 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19843 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19844 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19845 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19846 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19847 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19848 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19849 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19850 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19851 program, type this on VxWorks:
19852
19853 @smallexample
19854 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19855 @end smallexample
19856
19857 @noindent
19858 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19859
19860 @smallexample
19861 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19862 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19863 @end smallexample
19864
19865 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19866
19867 @smallexample
19868 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19869 @end smallexample
19870
19871 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19872 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19873 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19874 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19875 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19876 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19877 table.)
19878
19879 @node VxWorks Attach
19880 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19881
19882 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19883 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19884 follows:
19885
19886 @smallexample
19887 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19888 @end smallexample
19889
19890 @noindent
19891 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19892 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19893 the time of attachment.
19894
19895 @node Embedded Processors
19896 @section Embedded Processors
19897
19898 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19899 configurations.
19900
19901 @cindex send command to simulator
19902 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19903 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19904
19905 @table @code
19906 @item sim @var{command}
19907 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19908 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19909 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19910 acceptable commands.
19911 @end table
19912
19913
19914 @menu
19915 * ARM:: ARM RDI
19916 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19917 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19918 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19919 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19920 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19921 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19922 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19923 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19924 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19925 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
19926 * CRIS:: CRIS
19927 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19928 @end menu
19929
19930 @node ARM
19931 @subsection ARM
19932 @cindex ARM RDI
19933
19934 @table @code
19935 @kindex target rdi
19936 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19937 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19938 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19939 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19940
19941 @kindex target rdp
19942 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19943 ARM Demon monitor.
19944
19945 @end table
19946
19947 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19948
19949 @table @code
19950 @item set arm disassembler
19951 @kindex set arm
19952 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19953 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19954
19955 @item show arm disassembler
19956 @kindex show arm
19957 Show the current disassembly style.
19958
19959 @item set arm apcs32
19960 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19961 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19962
19963 @item show arm apcs32
19964 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19965
19966 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19967 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19968 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19969
19970 @table @code
19971 @item auto
19972 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19973 @item softfpa
19974 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19975 processors.
19976 @item fpa
19977 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19978 @item softvfp
19979 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19980 @item vfp
19981 VFP co-processor.
19982 @end table
19983
19984 @item show arm fpu
19985 Show the current type of the FPU.
19986
19987 @item set arm abi
19988 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19989
19990 @item show arm abi
19991 Show the currently used ABI.
19992
19993 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19994 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19995 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19996 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19997 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19998 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19999 register).
20000
20001 @item show arm fallback-mode
20002 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20003
20004 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20005 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20006 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20007 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20008 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20009
20010 @item show arm force-mode
20011 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20012
20013 @item set debug arm
20014 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20015 target support subsystem.
20016
20017 @item show debug arm
20018 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20019 @end table
20020
20021 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20022 using the RDI interface:
20023
20024 @table @code
20025 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20026 @kindex rdilogfile
20027 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20028 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20029 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20030 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20031 @file{rdi.log}.
20032
20033 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20034 @kindex rdilogenable
20035 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20036 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20037 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20038 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20039 are logged to a file.
20040
20041 @item set rdiromatzero
20042 @kindex set rdiromatzero
20043 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20044 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20045 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20046 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20047 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20048
20049 @item show rdiromatzero
20050 @kindex show rdiromatzero
20051 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20052
20053 @item set rdiheartbeat
20054 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
20055 @cindex RDI heartbeat
20056 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20057 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20058 well as the Angel monitor.
20059
20060 @item show rdiheartbeat
20061 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
20062 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20063 @end table
20064
20065 @table @code
20066 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20067 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20068
20069 @table @code
20070 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
20071 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20072 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20073 The default value is @code{all}.
20074
20075 @table @code
20076 @item none
20077 @item demon
20078 @item angel
20079 @item redboot
20080 @item all
20081 @end table
20082 @end table
20083 @end table
20084
20085 @node M32R/D
20086 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20087
20088 @table @code
20089 @kindex target m32r
20090 @item target m32r @var{dev}
20091 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20092
20093 @kindex target m32rsdi
20094 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20095 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20096 @end table
20097
20098 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20099
20100 @table @code
20101 @item set download-path @var{path}
20102 @kindex set download-path
20103 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20104 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20105
20106 @item show download-path
20107 @kindex show download-path
20108 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20109
20110 @item set board-address @var{addr}
20111 @kindex set board-address
20112 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
20113 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20114
20115 @item show board-address
20116 @kindex show board-address
20117 Show the current IP address of the target board.
20118
20119 @item set server-address @var{addr}
20120 @kindex set server-address
20121 @cindex download server address (M32R)
20122 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20123 host machine.
20124
20125 @item show server-address
20126 @kindex show server-address
20127 Display the IP address of the download server.
20128
20129 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20130 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20131 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20132 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20133 executable file is uploaded.
20134
20135 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20136 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20137 Test the @code{upload} command.
20138 @end table
20139
20140 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20141
20142 @table @code
20143 @item sdireset
20144 @kindex sdireset
20145 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20146 This command resets the SDI connection.
20147
20148 @item sdistatus
20149 @kindex sdistatus
20150 This command shows the SDI connection status.
20151
20152 @item debug_chaos
20153 @kindex debug_chaos
20154 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20155 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20156
20157 @item use_debug_dma
20158 @kindex use_debug_dma
20159 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20160
20161 @item use_mon_code
20162 @kindex use_mon_code
20163 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20164
20165 @item use_ib_break
20166 @kindex use_ib_break
20167 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20168
20169 @item use_dbt_break
20170 @kindex use_dbt_break
20171 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20172 @end table
20173
20174 @node M68K
20175 @subsection M68k
20176
20177 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20178 target command for the following ROM monitor.
20179
20180 @table @code
20181
20182 @kindex target dbug
20183 @item target dbug @var{dev}
20184 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20185
20186 @end table
20187
20188 @node MicroBlaze
20189 @subsection MicroBlaze
20190 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20191 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20192
20193 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20194 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20195 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20196 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20197 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20198 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20199 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20200 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20201 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20202 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20203 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20204
20205 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20206
20207 @table @code
20208 @item target remote :1234
20209 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20210 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20211
20212 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20213 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20214 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20215
20216 @item load
20217 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20218
20219 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20220 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20221
20222 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20223 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20224 @end table
20225
20226 @node MIPS Embedded
20227 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20228
20229 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20230 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20231 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20232 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20233
20234 @need 1000
20235 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20236
20237 @table @code
20238 @item target mips @var{port}
20239 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20240 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20241 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20242 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20243 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20244 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20245 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20246
20247 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20248 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20249 debugger:
20250
20251 @smallexample
20252 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20253 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20254 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20255 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20256 (@value{GDBP}) run
20257 @end smallexample
20258
20259 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20260 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20261 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20262 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20263 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20264
20265 @item target pmon @var{port}
20266 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20267 PMON ROM monitor.
20268
20269 @item target ddb @var{port}
20270 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20271 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20272
20273 @item target lsi @var{port}
20274 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20275 LSI variant of PMON.
20276
20277 @kindex target r3900
20278 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20279 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20280
20281 @kindex target array
20282 @item target array @var{dev}
20283 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20284
20285 @end table
20286
20287
20288 @noindent
20289 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20290
20291 @table @code
20292 @item set mipsfpu double
20293 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20294 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20295 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20296 @itemx show mipsfpu
20297 @kindex set mipsfpu
20298 @kindex show mipsfpu
20299 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20300 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20301 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20302 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20303 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20304 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20305 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20306 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20307 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20308 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20309 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20310 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20311 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20312
20313 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20314 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20315 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20316
20317 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20318 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20319
20320 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20321 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20322 @itemx show timeout
20323 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20324 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20325 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20326 @kindex set timeout
20327 @kindex show timeout
20328 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20329 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20330 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20331 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20332 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20333 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20334 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20335 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20336 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20337 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20338
20339 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20340 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20341 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20342 to run before stopping.
20343
20344 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20345 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20346 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20347 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20348 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20349 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20350
20351 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20352 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20353 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20354 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20355
20356 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20357 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20358 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20359 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20360 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20361 @table @asis
20362 @item pmon target
20363 @samp{PMON}
20364 @item ddb target
20365 @samp{NEC010}
20366 @item lsi target
20367 @samp{PMON>}
20368 @end table
20369
20370 @item show monitor-prompt
20371 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20372 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20373 remote monitor.
20374
20375 @item set monitor-warnings
20376 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20377 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20378 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20379 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20380 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20381
20382 @item show monitor-warnings
20383 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20384 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20385
20386 @item pmon @var{command}
20387 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20388 @cindex send PMON command
20389 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20390 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20391 @end table
20392
20393 @node PowerPC Embedded
20394 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20395
20396 @cindex DVC register
20397 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20398 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20399
20400 @smallexample
20401 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20402 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20403 @end smallexample
20404
20405 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20406 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20407 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20408 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20409 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20410 or newer.
20411
20412 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20413 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20414 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20415 watching variables of scalar types.
20416
20417 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20418 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20419
20420 @smallexample
20421 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20422 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20423 @end smallexample
20424
20425 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20426 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20427
20428 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20429 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20430 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20431 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20432 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20433 use the @code{break-range} command.
20434
20435 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20436
20437 @table @code
20438 @kindex break-range
20439 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20440 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20441 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20442 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20443 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20444 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20445 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20446 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20447 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20448
20449 @kindex set powerpc
20450 @item set powerpc soft-float
20451 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20452 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20453 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20454 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20455
20456 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20457 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20458 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20459 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20460 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20461 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20462 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20463 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20464
20465 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20466 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20467 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20468 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20469 address of its first byte.
20470
20471 @kindex target dink32
20472 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20473 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20474
20475 @kindex target ppcbug
20476 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20477 @kindex target ppcbug1
20478 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20479 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20480
20481 @kindex target sds
20482 @item target sds @var{dev}
20483 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20484 @end table
20485
20486 @cindex SDS protocol
20487 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20488 by @value{GDBN}:
20489
20490 @table @code
20491 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20492 @kindex set sdstimeout
20493 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20494 default is 2 seconds.
20495
20496 @item show sdstimeout
20497 @kindex show sdstimeout
20498 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20499
20500 @item sds @var{command}
20501 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20502 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20503 @end table
20504
20505
20506 @node PA
20507 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20508
20509 @table @code
20510
20511 @kindex target op50n
20512 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20513 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20514
20515 @kindex target w89k
20516 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20517 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20518
20519 @end table
20520
20521 @node Sparclet
20522 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20523
20524 @cindex Sparclet
20525
20526 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20527 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20528 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20529 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20530 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20531
20532 @table @code
20533 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20534 @kindex remotetimeout
20535 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20536 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20537 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20538 @end table
20539
20540 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20541 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20542 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20543 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20544 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20545
20546 @smallexample
20547 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20548 @end smallexample
20549
20550 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20551
20552 @smallexample
20553 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20554 @end smallexample
20555
20556 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20557 Once you have set
20558 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20559 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20560 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20561
20562 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20563
20564 @smallexample
20565 (gdbslet)
20566 @end smallexample
20567
20568 @menu
20569 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20570 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20571 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20572 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20573 @end menu
20574
20575 @node Sparclet File
20576 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20577
20578 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20579
20580 @smallexample
20581 (gdbslet) file prog
20582 @end smallexample
20583
20584 @need 1000
20585 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20586 @value{GDBN} locates
20587 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20588 path.
20589 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20590 files will be searched as well.
20591 @value{GDBN} locates
20592 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20593 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20594 If it fails
20595 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20596
20597 @smallexample
20598 prog: No such file or directory.
20599 @end smallexample
20600
20601 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20602 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20603 @code{target} command again.
20604
20605 @node Sparclet Connection
20606 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20607
20608 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20609 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20610
20611 @smallexample
20612 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20613 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20614 main () at ../prog.c:3
20615 @end smallexample
20616
20617 @need 750
20618 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20619
20620 @smallexample
20621 Connected to ttya.
20622 @end smallexample
20623
20624 @node Sparclet Download
20625 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20626
20627 @cindex download to Sparclet
20628 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20629 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20630 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20631 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20632 command.
20633 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20634 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20635 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20636 of each of the file's sections.
20637 For instance, if the program
20638 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20639 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20640
20641 @smallexample
20642 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20643 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20644 @end smallexample
20645
20646 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20647 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20648 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20649
20650 @node Sparclet Execution
20651 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20652
20653 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20654 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20655 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20656 manual for the list of commands.
20657
20658 @smallexample
20659 (gdbslet) b main
20660 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20661 (gdbslet) run
20662 Starting program: prog
20663 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20664 3 char *symarg = 0;
20665 (gdbslet) step
20666 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20667 (gdbslet)
20668 @end smallexample
20669
20670 @node Sparclite
20671 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20672
20673 @table @code
20674
20675 @kindex target sparclite
20676 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20677 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20678 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20679 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20680 remote protocol.
20681
20682 @end table
20683
20684 @node Z8000
20685 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20686
20687 @cindex Z8000
20688 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20689 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20690
20691 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20692 a Z8000 simulator.
20693
20694 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20695 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20696 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20697 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20698
20699 @table @code
20700 @item target sim @var{args}
20701 @kindex sim
20702 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20703 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20704 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20705 @end table
20706
20707 @noindent
20708 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20709 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20710 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20711 to run your program, and so on.
20712
20713 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20714 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20715 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20716
20717 @table @code
20718
20719 @item cycles
20720 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20721
20722 @item insts
20723 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20724
20725 @item time
20726 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20727
20728 @end table
20729
20730 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20731 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20732 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20733 simulated clock ticks.
20734
20735 @node AVR
20736 @subsection Atmel AVR
20737 @cindex AVR
20738
20739 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20740 following AVR-specific commands:
20741
20742 @table @code
20743 @item info io_registers
20744 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20745 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20746 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20747 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20748 @end table
20749
20750 @node CRIS
20751 @subsection CRIS
20752 @cindex CRIS
20753
20754 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20755 following CRIS-specific commands:
20756
20757 @table @code
20758 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20759 @cindex CRIS version
20760 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20761 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20762 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20763
20764 @item show cris-version
20765 Show the current CRIS version.
20766
20767 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20768 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20769 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20770 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20771 @code{R59}.
20772
20773 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20774 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20775
20776 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20777 @cindex CRIS mode
20778 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20779 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20780 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20781
20782 @item show cris-mode
20783 Show the current CRIS mode.
20784 @end table
20785
20786 @node Super-H
20787 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20788 @cindex Super-H
20789
20790 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20791 commands:
20792
20793 @table @code
20794 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20795 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20796 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20797 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20798 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20799 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20800 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20801 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20802 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20803 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20804 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20805 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20806
20807 @item show sh calling-convention
20808 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20809 Show the current calling convention setting.
20810
20811 @end table
20812
20813
20814 @node Architectures
20815 @section Architectures
20816
20817 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20818 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20819
20820 @menu
20821 * AArch64::
20822 * i386::
20823 * Alpha::
20824 * MIPS::
20825 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20826 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20827 * PowerPC::
20828 @end menu
20829
20830 @node AArch64
20831 @subsection AArch64
20832 @cindex AArch64 support
20833
20834 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
20835 following special commands:
20836
20837 @table @code
20838 @item set debug aarch64
20839 @kindex set debug aarch64
20840 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
20841 messages are to be displayed.
20842
20843 @item show debug aarch64
20844 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
20845
20846 @end table
20847
20848 @node i386
20849 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20850
20851 @table @code
20852 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20853 @kindex set struct-convention
20854 @cindex struct return convention
20855 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20856 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20857 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20858 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20859 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20860 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20861 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20862 be returned in a register.
20863
20864 @item show struct-convention
20865 @kindex show struct-convention
20866 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20867 from functions.
20868 @end table
20869
20870 @node Alpha
20871 @subsection Alpha
20872
20873 See the following section.
20874
20875 @node MIPS
20876 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20877
20878 @cindex stack on Alpha
20879 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20880 @cindex Alpha stack
20881 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20882 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20883 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20884 find the beginning of a function.
20885
20886 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20887 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20888 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20889 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20890 commands:
20891
20892 @table @code
20893 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20894 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20895 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20896 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20897 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20898 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20899 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20900 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20901
20902 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20903 Display the current limit.
20904 @end table
20905
20906 @noindent
20907 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20908 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20909
20910 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20911 programs:
20912
20913 @table @code
20914 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20915 @kindex set mips abi
20916 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20917 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20918 values of @var{arg} are:
20919
20920 @table @samp
20921 @item auto
20922 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20923 default).
20924 @item o32
20925 @item o64
20926 @item n32
20927 @item n64
20928 @item eabi32
20929 @item eabi64
20930 @end table
20931
20932 @item show mips abi
20933 @kindex show mips abi
20934 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20935
20936 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20937 @kindex set mips compression
20938 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20939 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20940 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20941 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20942 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20943 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20944 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20945 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20946 provided by the executable.
20947
20948 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20949 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20950 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20951 identified as such.
20952
20953 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20954 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20955 implicitly from an executable.
20956
20957 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20958 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20959 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20960 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20961 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20962
20963 @item show mips compression
20964 @kindex show mips compression
20965 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20966 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20967
20968 @item set mipsfpu
20969 @itemx show mipsfpu
20970 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20971
20972 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20973 @kindex set mips mask-address
20974 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20975 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20976 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20977 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20978 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20979
20980 @item show mips mask-address
20981 @kindex show mips mask-address
20982 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20983 not.
20984
20985 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20986 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20987 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20988 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20989 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20990 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20991
20992 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20993 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20994 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
20995
20996 @item set debug mips
20997 @kindex set debug mips
20998 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
20999 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21000
21001 @item show debug mips
21002 @kindex show debug mips
21003 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21004 @end table
21005
21006
21007 @node HPPA
21008 @subsection HPPA
21009 @cindex HPPA support
21010
21011 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21012 following special commands:
21013
21014 @table @code
21015 @item set debug hppa
21016 @kindex set debug hppa
21017 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21018 messages are to be displayed.
21019
21020 @item show debug hppa
21021 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21022
21023 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
21024 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21025 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21026 given @var{address}.
21027
21028 @end table
21029
21030
21031 @node SPU
21032 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21033 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21034 @cindex SPU
21035
21036 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21037 it provides the following special commands:
21038
21039 @table @code
21040 @item info spu event
21041 @kindex info spu
21042 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21043 and pending event status.
21044
21045 @item info spu signal
21046 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21047 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21048 notification channels.
21049
21050 @item info spu mailbox
21051 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21052 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21053 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21054
21055 @item info spu dma
21056 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21057 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21058 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21059
21060 @item info spu proxydma
21061 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21062 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21063 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21064
21065 @end table
21066
21067 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21068 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21069 special commands:
21070
21071 @table @code
21072 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21073 @kindex set spu
21074 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21075 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21076 function. The default is @code{off}.
21077
21078 @item show spu stop-on-load
21079 @kindex show spu
21080 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21081
21082 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21083 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21084 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21085 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21086 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21087 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21088
21089 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
21090 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21091
21092 @end table
21093
21094 @node PowerPC
21095 @subsection PowerPC
21096 @cindex PowerPC architecture
21097
21098 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21099 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21100 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21101 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21102 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21103
21104 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21105 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21106 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21107
21108 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21109 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21110
21111
21112 @node Controlling GDB
21113 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21114
21115 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21116 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21117 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21118 described here.
21119
21120 @menu
21121 * Prompt:: Prompt
21122 * Editing:: Command editing
21123 * Command History:: Command history
21124 * Screen Size:: Screen size
21125 * Numbers:: Numbers
21126 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21127 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21128 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21129 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21130 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21131 @end menu
21132
21133 @node Prompt
21134 @section Prompt
21135
21136 @cindex prompt
21137
21138 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21139 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21140 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21141 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21142 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21143 which one you are talking to.
21144
21145 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21146 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21147 or a prompt that does not.
21148
21149 @table @code
21150 @kindex set prompt
21151 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21152 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21153
21154 @kindex show prompt
21155 @item show prompt
21156 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21157 @end table
21158
21159 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21160 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21161 are:
21162
21163 @table @code
21164 @kindex set extended-prompt
21165 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21166 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21167 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21168 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21169 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21170 is displayed.
21171
21172 For example:
21173
21174 @smallexample
21175 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21176 @end smallexample
21177
21178 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21179 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21180
21181 @kindex show extended-prompt
21182 @item show extended-prompt
21183 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21184 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21185 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21186 @end table
21187
21188 @node Editing
21189 @section Command Editing
21190 @cindex readline
21191 @cindex command line editing
21192
21193 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21194 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21195 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21196 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21197 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21198 debugging sessions.
21199
21200 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21201 command @code{set}.
21202
21203 @table @code
21204 @kindex set editing
21205 @cindex editing
21206 @item set editing
21207 @itemx set editing on
21208 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21209
21210 @item set editing off
21211 Disable command line editing.
21212
21213 @kindex show editing
21214 @item show editing
21215 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21216 @end table
21217
21218 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21219 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21220 @end ifset
21221 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21222 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21223 @end ifclear
21224 for more details about the Readline
21225 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21226 encouraged to read that chapter.
21227
21228 @node Command History
21229 @section Command History
21230 @cindex command history
21231
21232 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21233 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21234 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21235 history facility.
21236
21237 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21238 package, to provide the history facility.
21239 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21240 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21241 @end ifset
21242 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21243 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21244 @end ifclear
21245 for the detailed description of the History library.
21246
21247 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21248 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21249 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21250 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21251 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21252 pressed on a line by itself.
21253
21254 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21255 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21256 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21257 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21258
21259 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21260 history.
21261
21262 @table @code
21263 @cindex history substitution
21264 @cindex history file
21265 @kindex set history filename
21266 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21267 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21268 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21269 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21270 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21271 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21272 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21273 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21274 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21275 is not set.
21276
21277 @cindex save command history
21278 @kindex set history save
21279 @item set history save
21280 @itemx set history save on
21281 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21282 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21283
21284 @item set history save off
21285 Stop recording command history in a file.
21286
21287 @cindex history size
21288 @kindex set history size
21289 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21290 @item set history size @var{size}
21291 @itemx set history size unlimited
21292 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21293 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21294 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21295 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21296 history list is unlimited.
21297 @end table
21298
21299 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21300 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21301 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21302 @end ifset
21303 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21304 @xref{Event Designators},
21305 @end ifclear
21306 for more details.
21307
21308 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21309 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21310 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21311 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21312 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21313 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21314 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21315 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21316
21317 The commands to control history expansion are:
21318
21319 @table @code
21320 @item set history expansion on
21321 @itemx set history expansion
21322 @kindex set history expansion
21323 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21324
21325 @item set history expansion off
21326 Disable history expansion.
21327
21328 @c @group
21329 @kindex show history
21330 @item show history
21331 @itemx show history filename
21332 @itemx show history save
21333 @itemx show history size
21334 @itemx show history expansion
21335 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21336 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21337 @c @end group
21338 @end table
21339
21340 @table @code
21341 @kindex show commands
21342 @cindex show last commands
21343 @cindex display command history
21344 @item show commands
21345 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21346
21347 @item show commands @var{n}
21348 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21349
21350 @item show commands +
21351 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21352 @end table
21353
21354 @node Screen Size
21355 @section Screen Size
21356 @cindex size of screen
21357 @cindex pauses in output
21358
21359 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21360 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21361 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21362 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21363 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21364 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21365 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21366 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21367
21368 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21369 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21370 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21371 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21372 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21373 width} commands:
21374
21375 @table @code
21376 @kindex set height
21377 @kindex set width
21378 @kindex show width
21379 @kindex show height
21380 @item set height @var{lpp}
21381 @itemx set height unlimited
21382 @itemx show height
21383 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21384 @itemx set width unlimited
21385 @itemx show width
21386 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21387 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21388 commands display the current settings.
21389
21390 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21391 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21392 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21393 buffer.
21394
21395 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21396 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21397
21398 @item set pagination on
21399 @itemx set pagination off
21400 @kindex set pagination
21401 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21402 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21403 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21404 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21405
21406 @item show pagination
21407 @kindex show pagination
21408 Show the current pagination mode.
21409 @end table
21410
21411 @node Numbers
21412 @section Numbers
21413 @cindex number representation
21414 @cindex entering numbers
21415
21416 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21417 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21418 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21419 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21420 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21421 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21422 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21423 both input and output with the commands described below.
21424
21425 @table @code
21426 @kindex set input-radix
21427 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21428 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21429 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21430 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21431 example, any of
21432
21433 @smallexample
21434 set input-radix 012
21435 set input-radix 10.
21436 set input-radix 0xa
21437 @end smallexample
21438
21439 @noindent
21440 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21441 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21442 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21443 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21444 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21445 change the radix.
21446
21447 @kindex set output-radix
21448 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21449 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21450 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21451 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21452
21453 @kindex show input-radix
21454 @item show input-radix
21455 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21456
21457 @kindex show output-radix
21458 @item show output-radix
21459 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21460
21461 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21462 @itemx show radix
21463 @kindex set radix
21464 @kindex show radix
21465 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21466 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21467 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21468 default value of 10.
21469
21470 @end table
21471
21472 @node ABI
21473 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21474
21475 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21476 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21477 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21478 current ABI.
21479
21480 @cindex OS ABI
21481 @kindex set osabi
21482 @kindex show osabi
21483 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21484
21485 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21486 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21487 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21488 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21489 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21490 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21491 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21492 platform provides.
21493
21494 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21495 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21496 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21497 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21498
21499 @table @code
21500 @item show osabi
21501 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21502
21503 @item set osabi
21504 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21505
21506 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21507 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21508 @end table
21509
21510 @cindex float promotion
21511
21512 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21513 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21514 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21515 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21516 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21517 @code{double} and then passed.
21518
21519 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21520 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21521 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21522
21523 @table @code
21524 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21525 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21526 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21527 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21528 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21529
21530 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21531 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21532 functions.
21533
21534 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21535 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21536 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21537 @end table
21538
21539 @kindex set cp-abi
21540 @kindex show cp-abi
21541 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21542 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21543 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21544 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21545 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21546 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21547 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21548 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21549 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21550 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21551 ``auto''.
21552
21553 @table @code
21554 @item show cp-abi
21555 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21556
21557 @item set cp-abi
21558 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21559
21560 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21561 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21562 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21563 @end table
21564
21565 @node Auto-loading
21566 @section Automatically loading associated files
21567 @cindex auto-loading
21568
21569 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21570 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21571 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21572 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21573 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21574 sources).
21575
21576 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21577 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21578 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21579
21580 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21581 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21582
21583 @table @code
21584 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21585 @kindex set auto-load off
21586 @item set auto-load off
21587 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21588 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21589 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21590 @smallexample
21591 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21592 @end smallexample
21593
21594 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21595 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21596 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21597 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21598 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21599 @code{set auto-load no}.
21600
21601 @anchor{show auto-load}
21602 @kindex show auto-load
21603 @item show auto-load
21604 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21605 or disabled.
21606
21607 @smallexample
21608 (gdb) show auto-load
21609 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21610 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21611 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21612 is on.
21613 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21614 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21615 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21616 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21617 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21618 @end smallexample
21619
21620 @anchor{info auto-load}
21621 @kindex info auto-load
21622 @item info auto-load
21623 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21624 not.
21625
21626 @smallexample
21627 (gdb) info auto-load
21628 gdb-scripts:
21629 Loaded Script
21630 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21631 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21632 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21633 loaded.
21634 python-scripts:
21635 Loaded Script
21636 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21637 @end smallexample
21638 @end table
21639
21640 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21641
21642 @itemize @bullet
21643 @item
21644 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21645 @item
21646 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21647 @item
21648 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21649 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21650 @item
21651 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21652 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21653 @item
21654 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21655 @end itemize
21656
21657 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21658
21659 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21660 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21661 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21662 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21663 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21664 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21665 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21666 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21667 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21668 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21669 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21670 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21671 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21672 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21673 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21674 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21675 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21676 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21677 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21678 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21679 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21680 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21681 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21682 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21683 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21684 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21685 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21686 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21687 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21688 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21689 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21690 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21691 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21692 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21693 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21694 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21695 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21696 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21697 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21698 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21699 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21700 @end multitable
21701
21702 @menu
21703 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21704 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21705 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21706 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21707 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21708 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21709 @end menu
21710
21711 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21712 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21713 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21714
21715 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21716 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21717 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21718
21719 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21720 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21721
21722 @table @code
21723 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21724 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21725 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21726 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21727 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21728
21729 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21730 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21731 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21732 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21733 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21734
21735 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21736 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21737 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21738 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21739 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21740 @end table
21741
21742 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21743 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21744 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21745
21746 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21747
21748 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21749 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21750
21751 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21752 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21753 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21754 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21755 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21756 library.
21757
21758 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21759 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21760
21761 @table @code
21762 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21763 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21764 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21765 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21766
21767 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21768 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21769 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21770 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21771 enabled or disabled.
21772
21773 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21774 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21775 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21776 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21777 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21778 @end table
21779
21780 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21781 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21782 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21783
21784 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21785 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21786 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21787
21788 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21789 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21790
21791 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21792 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21793
21794 @table @code
21795 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21796 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21797 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21798 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21799
21800 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21801 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21802 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21803 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21804 disabled.
21805
21806 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21807 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21808 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21809 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21810 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21811 auto-loaded.
21812 @end table
21813
21814 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21815 matching names are printed.
21816
21817 @node Auto-loading safe path
21818 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21819 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21820
21821 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21822 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21823 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21824 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21825 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21826
21827 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21828 get loaded:
21829
21830 @smallexample
21831 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21832 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21833 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21834 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21835 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21836 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21837 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21838 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21839 @end smallexample
21840
21841 @noindent
21842 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
21843 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
21844
21845 @smallexample
21846 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
21847 @end smallexample
21848
21849 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21850
21851 @table @code
21852 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21853 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21854 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21855 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21856 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21857 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21858 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21859 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21860 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21861 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21862
21863 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21864 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21865 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21866
21867 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21868 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21869 @item show auto-load safe-path
21870 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21871 scripts.
21872
21873 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21874 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21875 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21876 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21877 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21878 host platform path separator in use.
21879 @end table
21880
21881 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21882 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21883 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21884 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21885 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21886
21887 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21888 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21889 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21890 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21891 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21892 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21893 init file in the current directory
21894 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21895
21896 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21897 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21898
21899 @table @asis
21900 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21901 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21902 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21903 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21904
21905 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21906 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21907 @value{GDBN} session.
21908
21909 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21910 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21911 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21912 from trusted sources.
21913
21914 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21915 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21916 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21917 trusted sources.
21918 @end table
21919
21920 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21921 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21922
21923 @table @asis
21924 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21925 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21926
21927 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21928 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21929 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21930 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21931 @end table
21932
21933 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21934 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21935 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21936 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21937 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21938 recommended to be entered.
21939
21940 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21941 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21942 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21943
21944 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21945 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21946 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21947 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21948 be printed.
21949
21950 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21951 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21952 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21953
21954 @smallexample
21955 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21956 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21957 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21958 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21959 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21960 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21961 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21962 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21963 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21964 @end smallexample
21965
21966 @table @code
21967 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21968 @kindex set debug auto-load
21969 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21970 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21971
21972 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21973 @kindex show debug auto-load
21974 @item show debug auto-load
21975 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21976 on or off.
21977 @end table
21978
21979 @node Messages/Warnings
21980 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
21981
21982 @cindex verbose operation
21983 @cindex optional warnings
21984 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21985 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21986 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21987 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21988
21989 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21990 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21991 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21992
21993 @table @code
21994 @kindex set verbose
21995 @item set verbose on
21996 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21997
21998 @item set verbose off
21999 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22000
22001 @kindex show verbose
22002 @item show verbose
22003 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22004 @end table
22005
22006 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22007 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22008 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22009 Symbol Files}).
22010
22011 @table @code
22012
22013 @kindex set complaints
22014 @item set complaints @var{limit}
22015 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22016 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22017 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22018 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22019
22020 @kindex show complaints
22021 @item show complaints
22022 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22023
22024 @end table
22025
22026 @anchor{confirmation requests}
22027 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22028 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22029 you try to run a program which is already running:
22030
22031 @smallexample
22032 (@value{GDBP}) run
22033 The program being debugged has been started already.
22034 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22035 @end smallexample
22036
22037 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22038 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22039
22040 @table @code
22041
22042 @kindex set confirm
22043 @cindex flinching
22044 @cindex confirmation
22045 @cindex stupid questions
22046 @item set confirm off
22047 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22048 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22049 automatically disables confirmation requests.
22050
22051 @item set confirm on
22052 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22053
22054 @kindex show confirm
22055 @item show confirm
22056 Displays state of confirmation requests.
22057
22058 @end table
22059
22060 @cindex command tracing
22061 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22062 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22063 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22064 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22065
22066 @table @code
22067 @kindex set trace-commands
22068 @cindex command scripts, debugging
22069 @item set trace-commands on
22070 Enable command tracing.
22071 @item set trace-commands off
22072 Disable command tracing.
22073 @item show trace-commands
22074 Display the current state of command tracing.
22075 @end table
22076
22077 @node Debugging Output
22078 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22079 @cindex optional debugging messages
22080
22081 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22082 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22083 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22084 section documents those commands.
22085
22086 @table @code
22087 @kindex set exec-done-display
22088 @item set exec-done-display
22089 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22090 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22091 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22092 @kindex show exec-done-display
22093 @item show exec-done-display
22094 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22095 notification.
22096 @kindex set debug
22097 @cindex ARM AArch64
22098 @item set debug aarch64
22099 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22100 The default is off.
22101 @kindex show debug
22102 @item show debug aarch64
22103 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22104 ARM AArch64.
22105 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
22106 @cindex architecture debugging info
22107 @item set debug arch
22108 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22109 @item show debug arch
22110 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22111 @item set debug aix-thread
22112 @cindex AIX threads
22113 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22114 module.
22115 @item show debug aix-thread
22116 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22117 @item set debug check-physname
22118 @cindex physname
22119 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22120 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22121 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22122 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22123 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22124 both ways and display any discrepancies.
22125 @item show debug check-physname
22126 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22127 @item set debug coff-pe-read
22128 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22129 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22130 exported symbols. The default is off.
22131 @item show debug coff-pe-read
22132 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22133 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22134 @item set debug dwarf2-die
22135 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22136 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22137 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22138 A value of zero turns off the display.
22139 @item show debug dwarf2-die
22140 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22141 @item set debug dwarf2-read
22142 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
22143 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22144 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22145 @item show debug dwarf2-read
22146 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22147 @item set debug displaced
22148 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22149 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22150 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22151 @item show debug displaced
22152 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22153 related to displaced stepping.
22154 @item set debug event
22155 @cindex event debugging info
22156 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22157 default is off.
22158 @item show debug event
22159 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22160 info.
22161 @item set debug expression
22162 @cindex expression debugging info
22163 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22164 expression parsing. The default is off.
22165 @item show debug expression
22166 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22167 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22168 @item set debug frame
22169 @cindex frame debugging info
22170 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22171 default is off.
22172 @item show debug frame
22173 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22174 info.
22175 @item set debug gnu-nat
22176 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22177 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22178 @item show debug gnu-nat
22179 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22180 @item set debug infrun
22181 @cindex inferior debugging info
22182 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22183 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22184 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22185 @item show debug infrun
22186 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22187 @item set debug jit
22188 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22189 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22190 @item show debug jit
22191 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22192 @item set debug lin-lwp
22193 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22194 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22195 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22196 @item show debug lin-lwp
22197 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22198 @item set debug mach-o
22199 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22200 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22201 processing. The default is off.
22202 @item show debug mach-o
22203 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22204 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22205 @item set debug notification
22206 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22207 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22208 The default is off.
22209 @item show debug notification
22210 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22211 @item set debug observer
22212 @cindex observer debugging info
22213 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22214 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22215 @item show debug observer
22216 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22217 @item set debug overload
22218 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22219 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22220 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22221 is off.
22222 @item show debug overload
22223 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22224 debugging info.
22225 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22226 @cindex debug expression parser
22227 @item set debug parser
22228 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22229 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22230 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22231 details. The default is off.
22232 @item show debug parser
22233 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22234 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22235 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22236 @cindex debug remote protocol
22237 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22238 @cindex display remote packets
22239 @item set debug remote
22240 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22241 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22242 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22243 @item show debug remote
22244 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22245 @item set debug serial
22246 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22247 default is off.
22248 @item show debug serial
22249 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22250 info.
22251 @item set debug solib-frv
22252 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22253 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22254 @item show debug solib-frv
22255 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22256 messages.
22257 @item set debug symtab-create
22258 @cindex symbol table creation
22259 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22260 The default is off.
22261 @item show debug symtab-create
22262 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22263 @item set debug target
22264 @cindex target debugging info
22265 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22266 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22267 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22268 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22269 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22270 @item show debug target
22271 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22272 info.
22273 @item set debug timestamp
22274 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22275 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22276 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22277 message.
22278 @item show debug timestamp
22279 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22280 debugging info.
22281 @item set debugvarobj
22282 @cindex variable object debugging info
22283 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22284 info. The default is off.
22285 @item show debugvarobj
22286 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22287 debugging info.
22288 @item set debug xml
22289 @cindex XML parser debugging
22290 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22291 @item show debug xml
22292 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22293 @end table
22294
22295 @node Other Misc Settings
22296 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22297 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22298
22299 @table @code
22300 @kindex set interactive-mode
22301 @item set interactive-mode
22302 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22303 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22304 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22305 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22306 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22307 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22308 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22309 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22310
22311 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22312 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22313 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22314 inside a cygwin window.
22315
22316 @kindex show interactive-mode
22317 @item show interactive-mode
22318 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22319 @end table
22320
22321 @node Extending GDB
22322 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22323 @cindex extending GDB
22324
22325 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22326 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22327 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22328 existing commands.
22329
22330 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22331 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22332 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22333 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22334 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22335 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22336
22337 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22338 setting:
22339
22340 @table @code
22341 @kindex set script-extension
22342 @kindex show script-extension
22343 @item set script-extension off
22344 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22345
22346 @item set script-extension soft
22347 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22348 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22349 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22350 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22351
22352 @item set script-extension strict
22353 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22354 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22355 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22356
22357 @item show script-extension
22358 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22359
22360 @end table
22361
22362 @menu
22363 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22364 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22365 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22366 @end menu
22367
22368 @node Sequences
22369 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22370
22371 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22372 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22373 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22374 files.
22375
22376 @menu
22377 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22378 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22379 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22380 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22381 @end menu
22382
22383 @node Define
22384 @subsection User-defined Commands
22385
22386 @cindex user-defined command
22387 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22388 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22389 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22390 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22391 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22392 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22393
22394 @smallexample
22395 define adder
22396 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22397 end
22398 @end smallexample
22399
22400 @noindent
22401 To execute the command use:
22402
22403 @smallexample
22404 adder 1 2 3
22405 @end smallexample
22406
22407 @noindent
22408 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22409 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22410 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22411 functions calls.
22412
22413 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22414 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22415 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22416 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22417
22418 @smallexample
22419 define adder
22420 if $argc == 2
22421 print $arg0 + $arg1
22422 end
22423 if $argc == 3
22424 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22425 end
22426 end
22427 @end smallexample
22428
22429 @table @code
22430
22431 @kindex define
22432 @item define @var{commandname}
22433 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22434 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22435 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22436 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22437 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22438 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22439
22440 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22441 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22442 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22443
22444 @kindex document
22445 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22446 @item document @var{commandname}
22447 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22448 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22449 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22450 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22451 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22452 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22453
22454 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22455 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22456 does not change the documentation.
22457
22458 @kindex dont-repeat
22459 @cindex don't repeat command
22460 @item dont-repeat
22461 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22462 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22463 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22464
22465 @kindex help user-defined
22466 @item help user-defined
22467 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22468 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22469 included (if any).
22470
22471 @kindex show user
22472 @item show user
22473 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22474 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22475 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22476 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22477 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22478
22479 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22480 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22481 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22482 @item show max-user-call-depth
22483 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22484 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22485 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22486 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22487 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22488 @end table
22489
22490 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22491 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22492
22493 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22494 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22495 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22496
22497 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22498 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22499 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22500 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22501
22502 @node Hooks
22503 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22504 @cindex command hooks
22505 @cindex hooks, for commands
22506 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22507
22508 @kindex hook
22509 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22510 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22511 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22512 before that command.
22513
22514 @cindex hooks, post-command
22515 @kindex hookpost
22516 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22517 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22518 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22519 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22520 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22521
22522 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22523 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22524
22525 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22526 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22527
22528 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22529 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22530 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22531 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22532 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22533
22534 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22535 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22536 you could define:
22537
22538 @smallexample
22539 define hook-stop
22540 handle SIGALRM nopass
22541 end
22542
22543 define hook-run
22544 handle SIGALRM pass
22545 end
22546
22547 define hook-continue
22548 handle SIGALRM pass
22549 end
22550 @end smallexample
22551
22552 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22553 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22554 you could define:
22555
22556 @smallexample
22557 define hook-echo
22558 echo <<<---
22559 end
22560
22561 define hookpost-echo
22562 echo --->>>\n
22563 end
22564
22565 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22566 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22567 (@value{GDBP})
22568
22569 @end smallexample
22570
22571 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22572 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22573 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22574 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22575 @c or not?
22576 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22577 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22578 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22579
22580 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22581 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22582 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22583
22584 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22585 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22586
22587 @node Command Files
22588 @subsection Command Files
22589
22590 @cindex command files
22591 @cindex scripting commands
22592 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22593 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22594 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22595 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22596 terminal.
22597
22598 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22599 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22600 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22601 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22602 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22603
22604 @table @code
22605 @kindex source
22606 @cindex execute commands from a file
22607 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22608 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22609 @end table
22610
22611 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22612 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22613 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22614 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22615 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22616
22617 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22618 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22619 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22620 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22621 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22622 is not relevant to scripts.
22623
22624 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22625 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22626 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22627 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22628 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22629 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22630 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22631 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22632 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22633 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22634 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22635 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22636 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22637 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22638
22639 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22640 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22641 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22642
22643 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22644 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22645 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22646 when called from command files.
22647
22648 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22649 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22650 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22651 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22652 the next command.
22653
22654 @smallexample
22655 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22656 @end smallexample
22657
22658 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22659 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22660 would be directed to @file{log}.
22661
22662 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22663 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22664 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22665 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22666 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22667 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22668 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22669 conditionally, etc.
22670
22671 @table @code
22672 @kindex if
22673 @kindex else
22674 @item if
22675 @itemx else
22676 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22677 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22678 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22679 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22680 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22681 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22682 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22683
22684 @kindex while
22685 @item while
22686 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22687 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22688 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22689 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22690 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22691 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22692
22693 @kindex loop_break
22694 @item loop_break
22695 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22696 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22697 line.
22698
22699 @kindex loop_continue
22700 @item loop_continue
22701 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22702 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22703 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22704 the controlling expression.
22705
22706 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22707 @item end
22708 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22709 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22710 @end table
22711
22712
22713 @node Output
22714 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22715
22716 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22717 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22718 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22719 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22720 want.
22721
22722 @table @code
22723 @kindex echo
22724 @item echo @var{text}
22725 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22726 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22727 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22728 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22729 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22730 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22731 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22732 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22733 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22734 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22735 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22736
22737 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22738 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22739
22740 @smallexample
22741 echo This is some text\n\
22742 which is continued\n\
22743 onto several lines.\n
22744 @end smallexample
22745
22746 produces the same output as
22747
22748 @smallexample
22749 echo This is some text\n
22750 echo which is continued\n
22751 echo onto several lines.\n
22752 @end smallexample
22753
22754 @kindex output
22755 @item output @var{expression}
22756 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22757 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22758 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22759 on expressions.
22760
22761 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22762 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22763 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22764 Formats}, for more information.
22765
22766 @kindex printf
22767 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22768 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22769 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22770 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22771 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22772 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22773 executing the code below:
22774
22775 @smallexample
22776 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22777 @end smallexample
22778
22779 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22780 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22781 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22782 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22783 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22784 printed.
22785
22786 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22787
22788 @smallexample
22789 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22790 @end smallexample
22791
22792 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22793 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22794 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22795
22796 @itemize @bullet
22797 @item
22798 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22799
22800 @item
22801 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22802 width.
22803
22804 @item
22805 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22806 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22807
22808 @item
22809 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22810 supported.
22811
22812 @item
22813 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22814
22815 @item
22816 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22817 @end itemize
22818
22819 @noindent
22820 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22821 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22822 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22823 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22824
22825 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22826 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22827 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22828 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22829 supported.
22830
22831 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22832 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22833 together with a floating point specifier.
22834 letters:
22835
22836 @itemize @bullet
22837 @item
22838 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22839
22840 @item
22841 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22842
22843 @item
22844 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22845 @end itemize
22846
22847 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22848 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22849 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22850
22851 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22852 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22853
22854 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22855 @smallexample
22856 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22857 @end smallexample
22858
22859 @kindex eval
22860 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22861 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22862 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22863
22864 @end table
22865
22866 @node Python
22867 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22868 @cindex python scripting
22869 @cindex scripting with python
22870
22871 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22872 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22873 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22874
22875 @cindex python directory
22876 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22877 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22878 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22879 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22880 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22881 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22882
22883 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22884 are written in Python and are located in the
22885 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22886 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22887 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22888
22889 @menu
22890 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22891 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22892 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22893 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22894 @end menu
22895
22896 @node Python Commands
22897 @subsection Python Commands
22898 @cindex python commands
22899 @cindex commands to access python
22900
22901 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
22902 and one related setting:
22903
22904 @table @code
22905 @kindex python-interactive
22906 @kindex pi
22907 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22908 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22909 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
22910 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
22911 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
22912
22913 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
22914 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
22915 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
22916
22917 @smallexample
22918 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
22919 5
22920 @end smallexample
22921
22922 @kindex python
22923 @kindex py
22924 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22925 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22926 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22927
22928 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22929 argument as a Python command. For example:
22930
22931 @smallexample
22932 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22933 23
22934 @end smallexample
22935
22936 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22937 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22938 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22939 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22940 containing @code{end}. For example:
22941
22942 @smallexample
22943 (@value{GDBP}) python
22944 Type python script
22945 End with a line saying just "end".
22946 >print 23
22947 >end
22948 23
22949 @end smallexample
22950
22951 @kindex set python print-stack
22952 @item set python print-stack
22953 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22954 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22955 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22956 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22957 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22958 the message component of the error is printed.
22959 @end table
22960
22961 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22962 interpreter:
22963
22964 @table @code
22965 @item source @file{script-name}
22966 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22967 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22968 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22969
22970 @item python execfile ("script-name")
22971 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22972 and thus is always available.
22973 @end table
22974
22975 @node Python API
22976 @subsection Python API
22977 @cindex python api
22978 @cindex programming in python
22979
22980 @cindex python stdout
22981 @cindex python pagination
22982 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
22983 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
22984 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
22985 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
22986 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
22987
22988 @menu
22989 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22990 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22991 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22992 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
22993 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
22994 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
22995 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
22996 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
22997 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
22998 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
22999 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23000 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23001 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23002 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23003 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23004 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23005 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23006 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
23007 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23008 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23009 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23010 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23011 using Python.
23012 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23013 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23014 @end menu
23015
23016 @node Basic Python
23017 @subsubsection Basic Python
23018
23019 @cindex python functions
23020 @cindex python module
23021 @cindex gdb module
23022 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23023 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23024 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23025 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23026
23027 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23028 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23029 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23030 @end defvar
23031
23032 @findex gdb.execute
23033 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23034 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23035 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23036 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23037
23038 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23039 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23040 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23041
23042 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23043 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23044 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23045 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23046 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23047 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23048 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23049 @end defun
23050
23051 @findex gdb.breakpoints
23052 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23053 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23054 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23055 @end defun
23056
23057 @findex gdb.parameter
23058 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23059 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23060 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23061 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23062 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23063
23064 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23065 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23066 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23067 type, and returned.
23068 @end defun
23069
23070 @findex gdb.history
23071 @defun gdb.history (number)
23072 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23073 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23074 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23075 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23076 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23077 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23078 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23079 raised.
23080
23081 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23082 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23083 @end defun
23084
23085 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23086 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23087 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23088 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23089 @var{expression} must be a string.
23090
23091 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23092 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23093 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23094 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23095 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23096 @end defun
23097
23098 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
23099 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23100 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23101 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23102 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23103 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23104 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23105 @end defun
23106
23107 @findex gdb.post_event
23108 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
23109 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23110 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23111 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23112 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23113 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23114 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23115
23116 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23117 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23118 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23119 this. For example:
23120
23121 @smallexample
23122 (@value{GDBP}) python
23123 >import threading
23124 >
23125 >class Writer():
23126 > def __init__(self, message):
23127 > self.message = message;
23128 > def __call__(self):
23129 > gdb.write(self.message)
23130 >
23131 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23132 > def run (self):
23133 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23134 >
23135 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23136 > def run (self):
23137 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23138 >
23139 >MyThread1().start()
23140 >MyThread2().start()
23141 >end
23142 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23143 @end smallexample
23144 @end defun
23145
23146 @findex gdb.write
23147 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23148 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23149 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23150 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23151 values are:
23152
23153 @table @code
23154 @findex STDOUT
23155 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23156 @item gdb.STDOUT
23157 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23158
23159 @findex STDERR
23160 @findex gdb.STDERR
23161 @item gdb.STDERR
23162 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23163
23164 @findex STDLOG
23165 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23166 @item gdb.STDLOG
23167 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23168 @end table
23169
23170 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23171 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23172 relevant stream.
23173 @end defun
23174
23175 @findex gdb.flush
23176 @defun gdb.flush ()
23177 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23178 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23179 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23180 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23181 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23182 stream values are:
23183
23184 @table @code
23185 @findex STDOUT
23186 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23187 @item gdb.STDOUT
23188 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23189
23190 @findex STDERR
23191 @findex gdb.STDERR
23192 @item gdb.STDERR
23193 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23194
23195 @findex STDLOG
23196 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23197 @item gdb.STDLOG
23198 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23199
23200 @end table
23201
23202 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23203 call this function for the relevant stream.
23204 @end defun
23205
23206 @findex gdb.target_charset
23207 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23208 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23209 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23210 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23211 @end defun
23212
23213 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23214 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23215 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23216 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23217 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23218 never returned.
23219 @end defun
23220
23221 @findex gdb.solib_name
23222 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23223 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23224 as a string, or @code{None}.
23225 @end defun
23226
23227 @findex gdb.decode_line
23228 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23229 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23230 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23231 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23232 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23233 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23234 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23235 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23236 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23237 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23238 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23239 @end defun
23240
23241 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23242 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23243
23244 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23245 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23246 @value{GDBN}.
23247
23248 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23249 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23250 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23251 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23252 the current prompt.
23253
23254 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23255 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23256 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23257 @end defun
23258
23259 @node Exception Handling
23260 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23261 @cindex python exceptions
23262 @cindex exceptions, python
23263
23264 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23265 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23266 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23267 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23268 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23269 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23270 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23271
23272 @smallexample
23273 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23274 Traceback (most recent call last):
23275 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23276 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23277 @end smallexample
23278
23279 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23280 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23281 Python exception depends on the error.
23282
23283 @ftable @code
23284 @item gdb.error
23285 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23286 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23287 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23288
23289 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23290 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23291
23292 @item gdb.MemoryError
23293 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23294 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23295
23296 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23297 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23298 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23299 @end ftable
23300
23301 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23302 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23303 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23304 traceback.
23305
23306 @findex gdb.GdbError
23307 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23308 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23309 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23310 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23311 to handle this case. Example:
23312
23313 @smallexample
23314 (gdb) python
23315 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23316 > """Greet the whole world."""
23317 > def __init__ (self):
23318 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23319 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23320 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23321 > if len (argv) != 0:
23322 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23323 > print "Hello, World!"
23324 >HelloWorld ()
23325 >end
23326 (gdb) hello-world 42
23327 hello-world takes no arguments
23328 @end smallexample
23329
23330 @node Values From Inferior
23331 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23332 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23333 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23334
23335 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23336 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23337 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23338 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23339 fetching values when necessary.
23340
23341 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23342 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23343 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23344
23345 @smallexample
23346 bar = some_val + 2
23347 @end smallexample
23348
23349 @noindent
23350 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23351 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23352
23353 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23354 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23355 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23356 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23357
23358 @smallexample
23359 bar = some_val['foo']
23360 @end smallexample
23361
23362 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23363
23364 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23365 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23366 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23367 by that prototype.
23368
23369 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23370 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23371 execute this function, call it like so:
23372
23373 @smallexample
23374 result = some_val (10,20)
23375 @end smallexample
23376
23377 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23378 @code{gdb.Value}.
23379
23380 The following attributes are provided:
23381
23382 @defvar Value.address
23383 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23384 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23385 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23386 @end defvar
23387
23388 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23389 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23390 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23391 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23392 @end defvar
23393
23394 @defvar Value.type
23395 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23396 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23397 @end defvar
23398
23399 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23400 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23401 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23402 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23403 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23404 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23405 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23406 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23407 type.
23408
23409 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23410 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23411 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23412 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23413 @end defvar
23414
23415 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23416 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23417 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23418 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23419 For example:
23420
23421 @smallexample
23422 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23423 @end smallexample
23424
23425 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23426 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23427 method is invoked.
23428 @end defvar
23429
23430 The following methods are provided:
23431
23432 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23433 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23434 this object initializer. Specifically:
23435
23436 @table @asis
23437 @item Python boolean
23438 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23439 language.
23440
23441 @item Python integer
23442 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23443 current architecture.
23444
23445 @item Python long
23446 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23447 current architecture.
23448
23449 @item Python float
23450 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23451 current architecture.
23452
23453 @item Python string
23454 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23455 target encoding.
23456
23457 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23458 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23459
23460 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23461 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23462 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23463 its result is used.
23464 @end table
23465 @end defun
23466
23467 @defun Value.cast (type)
23468 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23469 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23470 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23471 reason, this method throws an exception.
23472 @end defun
23473
23474 @defun Value.dereference ()
23475 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23476 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23477 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23478
23479 @smallexample
23480 int *foo;
23481 @end smallexample
23482
23483 @noindent
23484 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23485 @code{foo} points to like this:
23486
23487 @smallexample
23488 bar = foo.dereference ()
23489 @end smallexample
23490
23491 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23492 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23493
23494 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23495 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23496 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23497 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23498 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23499 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23500 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23501 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23502 as
23503
23504 @smallexample
23505 typedef int *intptr;
23506 ...
23507 int val = 10;
23508 intptr ptr = &val;
23509 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23510 @end smallexample
23511
23512 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23513 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23514 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23515 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23516 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23517 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23518
23519 @smallexample
23520 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23521 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23522 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23523 @end smallexample
23524
23525 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23526 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23527 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23528 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23529 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23530 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23531 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23532 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23533 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23534 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23535 @end defun
23536
23537 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23538 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23539 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23540 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23541 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23542 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23543 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23544 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23545 in your C@t{++} program as
23546
23547 @smallexample
23548 int val = 10;
23549 int &ref = val;
23550 @end smallexample
23551
23552 @noindent
23553 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23554 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23555 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23556 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23557
23558 @smallexample
23559 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23560 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23561 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23562 @end smallexample
23563
23564 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23565 corresponding to @code{val}.
23566 @end defun
23567
23568 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23569 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23570 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23571 @end defun
23572
23573 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23574 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23575 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23576 @end defun
23577
23578 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23579 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23580 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23581 throw an exception.
23582
23583 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23584 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23585 language.
23586
23587 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23588 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23589 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23590 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23591 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23592
23593 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23594 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23595 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23596 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23597 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23598 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23599 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23600 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23601 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23602
23603 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23604 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23605
23606 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23607 fetched and converted to the given length.
23608 @end defun
23609
23610 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23611 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23612 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23613 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23614
23615 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23616 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23617 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23618 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23619 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23620
23621 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23622 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23623 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23624 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23625 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23626 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23627
23628 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23629 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23630 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23631 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23632 @end defun
23633
23634 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23635 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23636 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23637 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23638 will produce a Python exception.
23639
23640 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23641 has no effect.
23642
23643 This method does not return a value.
23644 @end defun
23645
23646
23647 @node Types In Python
23648 @subsubsection Types In Python
23649 @cindex types in Python
23650 @cindex Python, working with types
23651
23652 @tindex gdb.Type
23653 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23654 @code{gdb.Type}.
23655
23656 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23657 module:
23658
23659 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23660 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23661 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23662 type to look up. It must be a string.
23663
23664 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23665 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23666
23667 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23668 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23669 @end defun
23670
23671 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23672 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23673 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23674 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23675
23676 @smallexample
23677 bar = some_type['foo']
23678 @end smallexample
23679
23680 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23681 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23682 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23683
23684 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23685
23686 @defvar Type.code
23687 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23688 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23689 @end defvar
23690
23691 @defvar Type.sizeof
23692 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23693 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23694 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23695 @end defvar
23696
23697 @defvar Type.tag
23698 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23699 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23700 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23701 @code{None} is returned.
23702 @end defvar
23703
23704 The following methods are provided:
23705
23706 @defun Type.fields ()
23707 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23708 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23709 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23710 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23711 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23712 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23713
23714 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23715 @table @code
23716 @item bitpos
23717 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23718 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23719 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23720 enumeration member's integer representation.
23721
23722 @item name
23723 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23724
23725 @item artificial
23726 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23727 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23728 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23729
23730 @item is_base_class
23731 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23732 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23733 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23734 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23735
23736 @item bitsize
23737 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23738 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23739 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23740
23741 @item type
23742 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23743 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23744 @end table
23745 @end defun
23746
23747 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23748 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23749 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23750 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23751 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23752 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23753 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23754 @end defun
23755
23756 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23757 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23758 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23759 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23760 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23761 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23762 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23763
23764 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23765 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23766 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23767 @end defun
23768
23769 @defun Type.const ()
23770 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23771 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23772 @end defun
23773
23774 @defun Type.volatile ()
23775 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23776 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23777 @end defun
23778
23779 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23780 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23781 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23782 @code{volatile}.
23783 @end defun
23784
23785 @defun Type.range ()
23786 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23787 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23788 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23789 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23790 @end defun
23791
23792 @defun Type.reference ()
23793 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23794 type.
23795 @end defun
23796
23797 @defun Type.pointer ()
23798 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23799 type.
23800 @end defun
23801
23802 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23803 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23804 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23805 @end defun
23806
23807 @defun Type.target ()
23808 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23809 of this type.
23810
23811 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23812 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23813 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23814 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23815 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23816 target type is the aliased type.
23817
23818 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23819 exception.
23820 @end defun
23821
23822 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23823 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23824 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23825 @var{n}th template argument.
23826
23827 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23828 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23829
23830 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23831 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23832 @end defun
23833
23834
23835 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23836 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23837 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23838
23839 @table @code
23840 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23841 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23842 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23843 The type is a pointer.
23844
23845 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23846 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23847 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23848 The type is an array.
23849
23850 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23851 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23852 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23853 The type is a structure.
23854
23855 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23856 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23857 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23858 The type is a union.
23859
23860 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23861 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23862 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23863 The type is an enum.
23864
23865 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23866 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23867 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23868 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23869
23870 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23871 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23872 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23873 The type is a function.
23874
23875 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23876 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23877 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23878 The type is an integer type.
23879
23880 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23881 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23882 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23883 A floating point type.
23884
23885 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23886 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23887 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23888 The special type @code{void}.
23889
23890 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23891 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23892 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23893 A Pascal set type.
23894
23895 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23896 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23897 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23898 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23899
23900 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23901 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23902 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23903 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23904 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23905
23906 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23907 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23908 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23909 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
23910
23911 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23912 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23913 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23914 An unknown or erroneous type.
23915
23916 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23917 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23918 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23919 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23920
23921 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23922 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23923 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23924 A pointer-to-member-function.
23925
23926 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23927 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23928 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23929 A pointer-to-member.
23930
23931 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23932 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23933 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23934 A reference type.
23935
23936 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23937 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23938 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23939 A character type.
23940
23941 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23942 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23943 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23944 A boolean type.
23945
23946 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23947 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23948 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23949 A complex float type.
23950
23951 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23952 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23953 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23954 A typedef to some other type.
23955
23956 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23957 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23958 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23959 A C@t{++} namespace.
23960
23961 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23962 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23963 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23964 A decimal floating point type.
23965
23966 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23967 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23968 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23969 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
23970 convenience functions.
23971 @end table
23972
23973 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
23974 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
23975
23976 @node Pretty Printing API
23977 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
23978
23979 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23980
23981 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
23982 specific interface, defined here.
23983
23984 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
23985 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
23986 children of the pretty-printer's value.
23987
23988 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
23989 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
23990 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
23991 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
23992 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
23993
23994 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
23995 as though the value has no children.
23996 @end defun
23997
23998 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
23999 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24000 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24001 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24002 printed.
24003
24004 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24005 string.
24006
24007 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24008
24009 @table @samp
24010 @item array
24011 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24012 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24013 @code{set print array}.
24014
24015 @item map
24016 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24017 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24018 values.
24019
24020 @item string
24021 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24022 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24023 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24024 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24025 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24026 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
24027 @end table
24028 @end defun
24029
24030 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24031 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24032 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24033
24034 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24035 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24036 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24037 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24038 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24039 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24040 the result of @code{children}.
24041
24042 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24043
24044 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24045 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24046 another pretty-printer.
24047
24048 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24049 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24050 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24051 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24052 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24053
24054 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24055 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24056
24057 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24058 @end defun
24059
24060 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24061 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24062
24063 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
24064 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24065 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24066 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24067 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24068 @end defun
24069
24070 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24071 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24072
24073 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24074 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24075 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24076 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24077 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24078 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24079 attribute.
24080
24081 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24082 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24083 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24084 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24085 @code{None}.
24086
24087 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24088 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24089 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24090 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24091 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24092 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24093 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24094 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24095 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24096 object is returned.
24097
24098 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24099 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24100 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24101 object is returned.
24102
24103 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24104 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24105 the pretty-printer is out of date.
24106
24107 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24108 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24109 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24110 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24111 with a broken printer.
24112
24113 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24114 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24115 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24116 the printer is enabled.
24117
24118 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24119 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24120 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
24121
24122 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24123 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24124
24125 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24126 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24127 must provide.
24128
24129 @smallexample
24130 class StdStringPrinter(object):
24131 "Print a std::string"
24132
24133 def __init__(self, val):
24134 self.val = val
24135
24136 def to_string(self):
24137 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24138
24139 def display_hint(self):
24140 return 'string'
24141 @end smallexample
24142
24143 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24144 example above might be written.
24145
24146 @smallexample
24147 def str_lookup_function(val):
24148 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24149 if lookup_tag == None:
24150 return None
24151 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24152 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24153 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24154 return None
24155 @end smallexample
24156
24157 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24158 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24159 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24160 returns @code{None}.
24161
24162 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24163 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24164 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24165 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24166 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24167 different names.
24168
24169 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24170 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24171 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24172 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24173 the current objfile.
24174
24175 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24176 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24177 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24178 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24179 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24180 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24181 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24182 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24183 inferior.
24184
24185 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24186 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24187
24188 @smallexample
24189 def register_printers(objfile):
24190 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24191 @end smallexample
24192
24193 @noindent
24194 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24195
24196 @smallexample
24197 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24198 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24199 @end smallexample
24200
24201 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24202 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24203 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24204 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24205 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24206
24207 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24208 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24209 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24210 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24211 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24212 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24213
24214 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24215 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24216 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24217
24218 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24219
24220 @smallexample
24221 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24222 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24223 @end smallexample
24224
24225 Here are the printers:
24226
24227 @smallexample
24228 class fooPrinter:
24229 """Print a foo object."""
24230
24231 def __init__(self, val):
24232 self.val = val
24233
24234 def to_string(self):
24235 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24236 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24237
24238 class barPrinter:
24239 """Print a bar object."""
24240
24241 def __init__(self, val):
24242 self.val = val
24243
24244 def to_string(self):
24245 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24246 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24247 @end smallexample
24248
24249 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24250 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24251 the object that handles the lookup.
24252
24253 @smallexample
24254 import gdb.printing
24255
24256 def build_pretty_printer():
24257 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24258 "my_library")
24259 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24260 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24261 return pp
24262 @end smallexample
24263
24264 And here is the autoload support:
24265
24266 @smallexample
24267 import gdb.printing
24268 import my_library
24269 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24270 gdb.current_objfile(),
24271 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24272 @end smallexample
24273
24274 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24275 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24276
24277 @smallexample
24278 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24279 my_library.so:
24280 my_library
24281 foo
24282 bar
24283 @end smallexample
24284
24285 @node Type Printing API
24286 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24287 @cindex type printing API for Python
24288
24289 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24290 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24291 types.
24292
24293 @cindex type printer
24294 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24295 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24296 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24297
24298 @defivar type_printer enabled
24299 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24300 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24301 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24302 @end defivar
24303
24304 @defivar type_printer name
24305 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24306 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24307 commands.
24308 @end defivar
24309
24310 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24311 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24312 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24313 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24314 @end defmethod
24315
24316
24317 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24318 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24319 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24320 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24321 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24322
24323 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24324 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24325 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24326
24327 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24328 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24329 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24330 The recognition function is defined as:
24331
24332 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24333 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24334 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24335 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24336 Python}).
24337 @end defmethod
24338
24339 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24340 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24341 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24342 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24343 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24344 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24345 inferior changed.
24346
24347 @node Inferiors In Python
24348 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
24349 @cindex inferiors in Python
24350
24351 @findex gdb.Inferior
24352 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
24353 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
24354 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
24355 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
24356
24357 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24358 module:
24359
24360 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
24361 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
24362 @end defun
24363
24364 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
24365 Return an object representing the current inferior.
24366 @end defun
24367
24368 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
24369
24370 @defvar Inferior.num
24371 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
24372 @end defvar
24373
24374 @defvar Inferior.pid
24375 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
24376 system.
24377 @end defvar
24378
24379 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
24380 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
24381 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
24382 @end defvar
24383
24384 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
24385
24386 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
24387 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
24388 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
24389 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
24390 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
24391 at the time the method is called.
24392 @end defun
24393
24394 @defun Inferior.threads ()
24395 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
24396 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
24397 return an empty tuple.
24398 @end defun
24399
24400 @findex Inferior.read_memory
24401 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
24402 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
24403 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
24404 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
24405 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
24406 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
24407 @end defun
24408
24409 @findex Inferior.write_memory
24410 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
24411 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
24412 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
24413 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24414 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
24415 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
24416 @end defun
24417
24418 @findex gdb.search_memory
24419 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
24420 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
24421 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
24422 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
24423 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24424 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
24425 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
24426 the pattern could not be found.
24427 @end defun
24428
24429 @node Events In Python
24430 @subsubsection Events In Python
24431 @cindex inferior events in Python
24432
24433 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
24434 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
24435 the inferior.
24436
24437 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
24438 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
24439 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
24440
24441 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
24442 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
24443 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
24444 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24445
24446 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24447 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24448 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24449 @end defun
24450
24451 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24452 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24453 will no longer receive notifications of events.
24454 @end defun
24455
24456 Here is an example:
24457
24458 @smallexample
24459 def exit_handler (event):
24460 print "event type: exit"
24461 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24462
24463 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24464 @end smallexample
24465
24466 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24467 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24468 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24469 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24470 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24471 the inferior.
24472
24473 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24474 details of the events they emit:
24475
24476 @table @code
24477
24478 @item events.cont
24479 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24480
24481 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24482 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24483 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24484 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24485 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24486 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24487
24488 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24489 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24490 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24491 @end defvar
24492
24493 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24494
24495 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24496 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24497
24498 @item events.exited
24499 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24500 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24501 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24502 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24503 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24504 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24505 the attribute does not exist.
24506 @end defvar
24507 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24508 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24509 @end defvar
24510
24511 @item events.stop
24512 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24513
24514 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24515 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24516 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24517 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24518
24519 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24520
24521 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24522 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24523
24524 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24525 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24526 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24527 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24528 @end defvar
24529
24530 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24531
24532 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24533 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24534
24535 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24536 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24537 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24538 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24539 @end defvar
24540 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24541 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24542 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24543 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24544 @end defvar
24545
24546 @item events.new_objfile
24547 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24548 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24549
24550 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24551 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24552 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24553 @end defvar
24554
24555 @end table
24556
24557 @node Threads In Python
24558 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24559 @cindex threads in python
24560
24561 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24562 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24563 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24564
24565 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24566 module:
24567
24568 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24569 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24570 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24571 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24572 @end defun
24573
24574 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24575
24576 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24577 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24578 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24579 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24580 returns @code{None}.
24581
24582 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24583 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24584 user-specified thread name.
24585 @end defvar
24586
24587 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24588 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24589 @end defvar
24590
24591 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24592 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24593 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24594 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24595 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24596 does not use that identifier.
24597 @end defvar
24598
24599 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24600
24601 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24602 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24603 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24604 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24605 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24606 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24607 @end defun
24608
24609 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24610 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24611 by this object.
24612 @end defun
24613
24614 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24615 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24616 @end defun
24617
24618 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24619 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24620 @end defun
24621
24622 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24623 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24624 @end defun
24625
24626 @node Commands In Python
24627 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24628
24629 @cindex commands in python
24630 @cindex python commands
24631 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24632 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24633 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24634
24635 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24636 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24637 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24638 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24639
24640 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24641 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24642 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24643 an exception is raised.
24644
24645 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24646
24647 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24648 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24649 new command in the help system.
24650
24651 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24652 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24653 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24654 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24655 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24656 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24657
24658 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24659 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24660 registered.
24661
24662 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24663 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24664 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24665 not documented.'' is used.
24666 @end defun
24667
24668 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24669 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24670 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24671 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24672 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24673 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24674 @end defun
24675
24676 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24677 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24678
24679 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24680 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24681
24682 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24683 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24684 that the command came from elsewhere.
24685
24686 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24687 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24688
24689 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24690 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24691 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24692 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24693 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24694 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24695 Example:
24696
24697 @smallexample
24698 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24699 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24700 @end smallexample
24701
24702 @end defun
24703
24704 @cindex completion of Python commands
24705 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24706 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24707 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24708 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24709 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24710 complete}).
24711
24712 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24713 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24714 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24715 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24716
24717 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24718 @itemize @bullet
24719 @item
24720 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24721 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24722 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24723 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24724 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24725 sequence are ignored.
24726
24727 @item
24728 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24729 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24730 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24731
24732 @item
24733 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24734 completions.
24735 @end itemize
24736 @end defun
24737
24738 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24739 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24740 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24741 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24742 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24743 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24744
24745 @table @code
24746 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24747 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24748 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24749 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24750 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24751
24752 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24753 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24754 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24755 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24756 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24757 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24758 commands in this category.
24759
24760 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24761 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24762 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24763 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24764 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24765 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24766 in this category.
24767
24768 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24769 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24770 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24771 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24772 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24773 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24774 list of commands in this category.
24775
24776 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24777 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24778 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24779 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24780 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24781 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24782 commands in this category.
24783
24784 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24785 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24786 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24787 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24788 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24789 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24790 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24791 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24792 commands in this category.
24793
24794 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24795 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24796 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24797 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24798 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24799 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24800 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24801
24802 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24803 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24804 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24805 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24806 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24807 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24808 this category.
24809
24810 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24811 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24812 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24813 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24814 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24815 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24816 commands in this category.
24817
24818 @findex COMMAND_USER
24819 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24820 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24821 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24822 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24823 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24824 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24825 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24826
24827 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24828 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24829 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24830 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24831 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24832 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24833 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24834 category.
24835
24836 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24837 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24838 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24839 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24840 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24841 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24842 commands in this category.
24843 @end table
24844
24845 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24846 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24847 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24848 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24849
24850 @table @code
24851 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24852 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24853 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24854 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24855
24856 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24857 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24858 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24859 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24860
24861 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24862 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24863 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24864 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24865 @xref{Specify Location}.
24866
24867 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24868 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24869 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24870 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24871 command names.
24872
24873 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24874 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24875 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24876 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24877 as the source.
24878 @end table
24879
24880 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24881 implemented in Python:
24882
24883 @smallexample
24884 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24885 """Greet the whole world."""
24886
24887 def __init__ (self):
24888 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24889
24890 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24891 print "Hello, World!"
24892
24893 HelloWorld ()
24894 @end smallexample
24895
24896 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24897 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24898 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24899 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24900
24901 @node Parameters In Python
24902 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24903
24904 @cindex parameters in python
24905 @cindex python parameters
24906 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24907 @tindex Parameter
24908 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24909 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24910 class.
24911
24912 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24913 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24914
24915 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24916 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24917 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24918 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24919 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24920
24921 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24922 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24923 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24924 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24925
24926 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24927 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24928 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24929 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24930 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24931 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24932 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24933
24934 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24935 can be found, an exception is raised.
24936
24937 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24938 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24939 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24940
24941 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24942 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24943 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24944 completion.
24945
24946 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24947 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24948 represent the possible values for the parameter.
24949
24950 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24951 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24952
24953 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24954 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24955 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24956 @end defun
24957
24958 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
24959 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24960 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24961 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24962 have no effect.
24963 @end defvar
24964
24965 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
24966 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24967 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
24968 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24969 have no effect.
24970 @end defvar
24971
24972 @defvar Parameter.value
24973 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
24974 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
24975 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
24976 @end defvar
24977
24978 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
24979 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
24980
24981 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
24982 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
24983 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
24984 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
24985 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
24986 @end defun
24987
24988 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
24989 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
24990 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
24991 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
24992 current value. This method must return a string.
24993 @end defun
24994
24995 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
24996 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24997 module:
24998
24999 @table @code
25000 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
25001 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25002 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25003 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
25004 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
25005
25006 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25007 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25008 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25009 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
25010 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
25011 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
25012
25013 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
25014 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25015 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25016 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
25017 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
25018
25019 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
25020 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25021 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25022 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
25023 to mean ``unlimited''.
25024
25025 @findex PARAM_STRING
25026 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
25027 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
25028 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
25029 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
25030 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
25031 host charset.
25032
25033 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25034 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25035 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25036 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
25037 passed through untranslated.
25038
25039 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25040 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25041 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25042 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
25043
25044 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
25045 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25046 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25047 The value is a filename. This is just like
25048 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
25049
25050 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
25051 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25052 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25053 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
25054 is interpreted as itself.
25055
25056 @findex PARAM_ENUM
25057 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25058 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25059 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
25060 constants provided when the parameter is created.
25061 @end table
25062
25063 @node Functions In Python
25064 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
25065
25066 @cindex writing convenience functions
25067 @cindex convenience functions in python
25068 @cindex python convenience functions
25069 @tindex gdb.Function
25070 @tindex Function
25071 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
25072 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
25073 class @code{gdb.Function}.
25074
25075 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
25076 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
25077 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
25078 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
25079 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
25080 the given @var{name}.
25081
25082 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
25083 string for the new class.
25084 @end defun
25085
25086 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
25087 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
25088 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
25089 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
25090 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
25091 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
25092 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
25093 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
25094
25095 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
25096 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
25097 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
25098 @end defun
25099
25100 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
25101 be implemented in Python:
25102
25103 @smallexample
25104 class Greet (gdb.Function):
25105 """Return string to greet someone.
25106 Takes a name as argument."""
25107
25108 def __init__ (self):
25109 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
25110
25111 def invoke (self, name):
25112 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
25113
25114 Greet ()
25115 @end smallexample
25116
25117 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25118 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25119 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25120 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25121
25122 Now you can use the function in an expression:
25123
25124 @smallexample
25125 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
25126 $1 = "Hello, Bob!"
25127 @end smallexample
25128
25129 @node Progspaces In Python
25130 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
25131
25132 @cindex progspaces in python
25133 @tindex gdb.Progspace
25134 @tindex Progspace
25135 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
25136 of an address space.
25137 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
25138 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25139 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
25140 about program spaces.
25141
25142 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
25143 @code{gdb} module:
25144
25145 @findex gdb.current_progspace
25146 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
25147 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
25148 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
25149 @end defun
25150
25151 @findex gdb.progspaces
25152 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
25153 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
25154 @end defun
25155
25156 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
25157 class.
25158
25159 @defvar Progspace.filename
25160 The file name of the progspace as a string.
25161 @end defvar
25162
25163 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
25164 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25165 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25166 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25167 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25168 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25169 information.
25170 @end defvar
25171
25172 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
25173 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25174 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25175 @end defvar
25176
25177 @node Objfiles In Python
25178 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
25179
25180 @cindex objfiles in python
25181 @tindex gdb.Objfile
25182 @tindex Objfile
25183 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
25184 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
25185 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
25186 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
25187 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
25188
25189 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
25190 @code{gdb} module:
25191
25192 @findex gdb.current_objfile
25193 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
25194 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
25195 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
25196 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
25197 this function returns @code{None}.
25198 @end defun
25199
25200 @findex gdb.objfiles
25201 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
25202 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
25203 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25204 @end defun
25205
25206 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
25207 class.
25208
25209 @defvar Objfile.filename
25210 The file name of the objfile as a string.
25211 @end defvar
25212
25213 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
25214 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25215 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25216 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25217 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25218 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25219 information.
25220 @end defvar
25221
25222 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
25223 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25224 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25225 @end defvar
25226
25227 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
25228
25229 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
25230 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
25231 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
25232 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
25233 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
25234 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25235 @end defun
25236
25237 @node Frames In Python
25238 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
25239
25240 @cindex frames in python
25241 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
25242 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
25243 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
25244 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
25245 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
25246 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
25247
25248 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
25249 operator, like:
25250
25251 @smallexample
25252 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
25253 True
25254 @end smallexample
25255
25256 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
25257
25258 @findex gdb.selected_frame
25259 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
25260 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
25261 @end defun
25262
25263 @findex gdb.newest_frame
25264 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
25265 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
25266 @end defun
25267
25268 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25269 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
25270 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
25271 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
25272 @end defun
25273
25274 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
25275
25276 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
25277 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
25278 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
25279 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
25280 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25281 @end defun
25282
25283 @defun Frame.name ()
25284 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
25285 obtained.
25286 @end defun
25287
25288 @defun Frame.architecture ()
25289 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
25290 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
25291 @end defun
25292
25293 @defun Frame.type ()
25294 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
25295 @table @code
25296 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
25297 An ordinary stack frame.
25298
25299 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
25300 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
25301 inferior function call.
25302
25303 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
25304 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
25305 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
25306
25307 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
25308 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
25309
25310 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
25311 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
25312 it calls into a signal handler.
25313
25314 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
25315 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
25316
25317 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
25318 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
25319 newest frame.
25320 @end table
25321 @end defun
25322
25323 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
25324 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
25325 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
25326 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
25327 function to a string. The value can be one of:
25328
25329 @table @code
25330 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
25331 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
25332
25333 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
25334 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
25335
25336 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
25337 This frame is the outermost.
25338
25339 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
25340 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
25341 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
25342
25343 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
25344 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
25345 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
25346 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
25347
25348 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
25349 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
25350 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
25351 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
25352 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
25353 stack corruption.
25354
25355 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
25356 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
25357 one to unwind further.
25358
25359 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
25360 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
25361 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
25362 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
25363 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
25364 versions. Using it, you could write:
25365 @smallexample
25366 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
25367 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25368 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
25369 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
25370 @end smallexample
25371 @end table
25372
25373 @end defun
25374
25375 @defun Frame.pc ()
25376 Returns the frame's resume address.
25377 @end defun
25378
25379 @defun Frame.block ()
25380 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25381 @end defun
25382
25383 @defun Frame.function ()
25384 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
25385 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
25386 @end defun
25387
25388 @defun Frame.older ()
25389 Return the frame that called this frame.
25390 @end defun
25391
25392 @defun Frame.newer ()
25393 Return the frame called by this frame.
25394 @end defun
25395
25396 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
25397 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
25398 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
25399 @end defun
25400
25401 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
25402 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
25403 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
25404 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
25405 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
25406 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
25407 @code{gdb.Block} object.
25408 @end defun
25409
25410 @defun Frame.select ()
25411 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
25412 Stack}.
25413 @end defun
25414
25415 @node Blocks In Python
25416 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
25417
25418 @cindex blocks in python
25419 @tindex gdb.Block
25420
25421 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
25422 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
25423 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
25424 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
25425 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
25426 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
25427 stack.
25428
25429 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
25430 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
25431 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
25432 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
25433 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
25434 table.
25435
25436 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25437 module:
25438
25439 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
25440 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
25441 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
25442 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
25443 will return @code{None}.
25444 @end defun
25445
25446 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
25447
25448 @defun Block.is_valid ()
25449 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25450 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25451 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25452 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25453 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25454 during iteration over symbols of the block.
25455 @end defun
25456
25457 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25458
25459 @defvar Block.start
25460 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25461 @end defvar
25462
25463 @defvar Block.end
25464 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25465 @end defvar
25466
25467 @defvar Block.function
25468 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25469 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25470 attribute is not writable.
25471 @end defvar
25472
25473 @defvar Block.superblock
25474 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25475 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25476 @end defvar
25477
25478 @defvar Block.global_block
25479 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25480 writable.
25481 @end defvar
25482
25483 @defvar Block.static_block
25484 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25485 writable.
25486 @end defvar
25487
25488 @defvar Block.is_global
25489 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25490 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25491 writable.
25492 @end defvar
25493
25494 @defvar Block.is_static
25495 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25496 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25497 @end defvar
25498
25499 @node Symbols In Python
25500 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25501
25502 @cindex symbols in python
25503 @tindex gdb.Symbol
25504
25505 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25506 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25507 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25508 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25509
25510 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25511 module:
25512
25513 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25514 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25515 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25516 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25517 arguments.
25518
25519 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25520 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25521 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25522 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25523 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25524 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25525 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25526 in this chapter.
25527
25528 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25529 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25530 is not found.
25531 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25532 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25533 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25534 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25535 @end defun
25536
25537 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25538 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25539 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25540 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25541
25542 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25543 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25544 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25545 module and described later in this chapter.
25546
25547 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25548 is not found.
25549 @end defun
25550
25551 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25552
25553 @defvar Symbol.type
25554 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25555 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25556 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25557 @end defvar
25558
25559 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25560 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25561 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25562 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25563 @end defvar
25564
25565 @defvar Symbol.line
25566 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25567 This is an integer.
25568 @end defvar
25569
25570 @defvar Symbol.name
25571 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25572 @end defvar
25573
25574 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25575 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25576 This attribute is not writable.
25577 @end defvar
25578
25579 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25580 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25581 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25582 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25583 @end defvar
25584
25585 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25586 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25587 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25588 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25589 @end defvar
25590
25591 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25592 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25593 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25594 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25595 @end defvar
25596
25597 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25598 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25599 @end defvar
25600
25601 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25602 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25603 @end defvar
25604
25605 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25606 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25607 @end defvar
25608
25609 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25610 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25611 @end defvar
25612
25613 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25614
25615 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25616 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25617 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25618 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25619 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25620 invalid at the time the method is called.
25621 @end defun
25622
25623 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25624 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25625 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25626 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25627 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25628 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25629 exception.
25630 @end defun
25631
25632 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25633 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25634
25635 @table @code
25636 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25637 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25638 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25639 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25640 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25641 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25642 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25643 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25644 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25645 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25646 type values.
25647 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25648 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25649 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25650 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25651 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25652 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25653 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25654 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25655 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25656 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25657 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25658 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25659 contains everything minus functions and types.
25660 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25661 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25662 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25663 This domain contains all functions.
25664 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25665 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25666 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25667 This domain contains all types.
25668 @end table
25669
25670 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25671 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25672
25673 @table @code
25674 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25675 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25676 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25677 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25678 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25679 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25680 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25681 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25682 Value is constant int.
25683 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25684 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25685 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25686 Value is at a fixed address.
25687 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25688 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25689 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25690 Value is in a register.
25691 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25692 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25693 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25694 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25695 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25696 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25697 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25698 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25699 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25700 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25701 offset, not the value itself.
25702 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25703 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25704 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25705 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25706 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25707 itself.
25708 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25709 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25710 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25711 Value is a local variable.
25712 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25713 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25714 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25715 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25716 have this class.
25717 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25718 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25719 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25720 Value is a block.
25721 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25722 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25723 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25724 Value is a byte-sequence.
25725 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25726 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25727 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25728 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25729 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25730 referenced.
25731 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25732 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25733 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25734 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25735 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25736 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25737 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25738 The value's address is a computed location.
25739 @end table
25740
25741 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25742 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25743
25744 @cindex symbol tables in python
25745 @tindex gdb.Symtab
25746 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25747
25748 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25749 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25750 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25751 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25752 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25753
25754 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25755 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25756
25757 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25758
25759 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25760 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25761 This attribute is not writable.
25762 @end defvar
25763
25764 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25765 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25766 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25767 @end defvar
25768
25769 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25770 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25771 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25772 @end defvar
25773
25774 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25775 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25776 attribute is not writable.
25777 @end defvar
25778
25779 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25780
25781 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25782 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25783 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25784 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25785 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25786 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25787 invalid at the time the method is called.
25788 @end defun
25789
25790 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25791
25792 @defvar Symtab.filename
25793 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25794 @end defvar
25795
25796 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25797 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25798 This attribute is not writable.
25799 @end defvar
25800
25801 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25802
25803 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25804 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25805 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25806 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25807 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25808 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25809 @end defun
25810
25811 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25812 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25813 @end defun
25814
25815 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25816 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25817 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25818 @end defun
25819
25820 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25821 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25822 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25823 @end defun
25824
25825 @node Breakpoints In Python
25826 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25827
25828 @cindex breakpoints in python
25829 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25830
25831 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25832 class.
25833
25834 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25835 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25836 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25837 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25838 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25839 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25840 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25841 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25842 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25843 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25844 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25845 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25846 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25847 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25848 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25849 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25850 @end defun
25851
25852 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25853 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25854 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25855 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25856 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25857 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25858 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25859 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25860
25861 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25862 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25863 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25864 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25865 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25866 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25867
25868 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25869 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25870 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25871 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25872 at this time.
25873
25874 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25875
25876 @smallexample
25877 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25878 def stop (self):
25879 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25880 if inf_val == 3:
25881 return True
25882 return False
25883 @end smallexample
25884 @end defun
25885
25886 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25887 @code{gdb} module:
25888
25889 @table @code
25890 @findex WP_READ
25891 @findex gdb.WP_READ
25892 @item gdb.WP_READ
25893 Read only watchpoint.
25894
25895 @findex WP_WRITE
25896 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25897 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
25898 Write only watchpoint.
25899
25900 @findex WP_ACCESS
25901 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25902 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25903 Read/Write watchpoint.
25904 @end table
25905
25906 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25907 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25908 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25909 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25910 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25911 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25912 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25913 @end defun
25914
25915 @defun Breakpoint.delete
25916 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
25917 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
25918 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
25919 @end defun
25920
25921 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
25922 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
25923 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25924 @end defvar
25925
25926 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
25927 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
25928 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25929
25930 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
25931 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
25932 @code{silent} attribute.
25933 @end defvar
25934
25935 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
25936 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
25937 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
25938 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25939 @end defvar
25940
25941 @defvar Breakpoint.task
25942 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
25943 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
25944 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
25945 is writable.
25946 @end defvar
25947
25948 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
25949 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25950 This attribute is writable.
25951 @end defvar
25952
25953 @defvar Breakpoint.number
25954 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
25955 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
25956 @end defvar
25957
25958 @defvar Breakpoint.type
25959 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
25960 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
25961 writable.
25962 @end defvar
25963
25964 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
25965 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
25966 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
25967 attribute is not writable.
25968 @end defvar
25969
25970 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25971 module:
25972
25973 @table @code
25974 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
25975 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25976 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25977 Normal code breakpoint.
25978
25979 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
25980 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25981 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25982 Watchpoint breakpoint.
25983
25984 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25985 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25986 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25987 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
25988
25989 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25990 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25991 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25992 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
25993
25994 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25995 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25996 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25997 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
25998 @end table
25999
26000 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
26001 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26002 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
26003 @end defvar
26004
26005 @defvar Breakpoint.location
26006 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
26007 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
26008 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
26009 attribute is not writable.
26010 @end defvar
26011
26012 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
26013 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
26014 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
26015 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
26016 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26017 @end defvar
26018
26019 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
26020 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
26021 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
26022 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26023 @end defvar
26024
26025 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
26026 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
26027 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
26028 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
26029 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26030 @end defvar
26031
26032 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
26033 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
26034
26035 @cindex python finish breakpoints
26036 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
26037
26038 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
26039 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
26040 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
26041 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
26042 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
26043 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
26044 thread selected.
26045
26046 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
26047 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
26048 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
26049 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
26050 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
26051 details about this argument.
26052 @end defun
26053
26054 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
26055 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
26056 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
26057 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
26058 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
26059
26060 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
26061 method:
26062
26063 @smallexample
26064 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
26065 def stop (self):
26066 print "normal finish"
26067 return True
26068
26069 def out_of_scope ():
26070 print "abnormal finish"
26071 @end smallexample
26072 @end defun
26073
26074 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
26075 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
26076 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
26077 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
26078 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
26079 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
26080 is not writable.
26081 @end defvar
26082
26083 @node Lazy Strings In Python
26084 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
26085
26086 @cindex lazy strings in python
26087 @tindex gdb.LazyString
26088
26089 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
26090 encoded until it is needed.
26091
26092 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
26093 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
26094 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
26095 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
26096 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
26097 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
26098 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
26099 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
26100 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
26101
26102 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
26103
26104 @defun LazyString.value ()
26105 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
26106 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
26107 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
26108 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
26109 @end defun
26110
26111 @defvar LazyString.address
26112 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
26113 writable.
26114 @end defvar
26115
26116 @defvar LazyString.length
26117 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
26118 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
26119 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
26120 @end defvar
26121
26122 @defvar LazyString.encoding
26123 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
26124 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
26125 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
26126 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
26127 is not writable.
26128 @end defvar
26129
26130 @defvar LazyString.type
26131 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
26132 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
26133 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
26134 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
26135 writable.
26136 @end defvar
26137
26138 @node Architectures In Python
26139 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
26140 @cindex Python architectures
26141
26142 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
26143 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
26144 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
26145
26146 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
26147
26148 @defun Architecture.name ()
26149 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
26150 @end defun
26151
26152 @defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
26153 Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
26154 address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
26155 @var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
26156 If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
26157 specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
26158 whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
26159 @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
26160 specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
26161 instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
26162 @var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
26163 instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
26164 interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
26165 @var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
26166 @var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
26167 returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
26168
26169 @table @code
26170
26171 @item addr
26172 The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
26173 the memory address of the instruction.
26174
26175 @item asm
26176 The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
26177 the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
26178 language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
26179 variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
26180
26181 @item length
26182 The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
26183 instruction in bytes.
26184
26185 @end table
26186 @end defun
26187
26188 @node Python Auto-loading
26189 @subsection Python Auto-loading
26190 @cindex Python auto-loading
26191
26192 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26193 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
26194 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
26195 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
26196 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26197 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26198
26199 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
26200 debugging commands and scripts.
26201
26202 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26203 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26204
26205 @table @code
26206 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
26207 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
26208 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
26209 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
26210
26211 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
26212 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
26213 @item show auto-load python-scripts
26214 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
26215
26216 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
26217 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
26218 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
26219 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
26220 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
26221
26222 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
26223 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
26224 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26225 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
26226 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
26227 an error message for each one is problematic.
26228
26229 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
26230
26231 Example:
26232
26233 @smallexample
26234 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
26235 Loaded Script
26236 Yes py-section-script.py
26237 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
26238 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
26239 @end smallexample
26240 @end table
26241
26242 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
26243 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
26244 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
26245 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
26246
26247 @menu
26248 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26249 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26250 * Which flavor to choose?::
26251 @end menu
26252
26253 @node objfile-gdb.py file
26254 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26255 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
26256
26257 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
26258 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
26259 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
26260 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
26261 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
26262 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
26263
26264 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
26265 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
26266
26267 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26268 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26269
26270 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
26271 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
26272 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
26273 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
26274 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
26275 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
26276
26277 @table @code
26278 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
26279 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
26280 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
26281 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
26282 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
26283 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
26284
26285 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
26286 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
26287
26288 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
26289 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
26290 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
26291 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
26292
26293 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
26294 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
26295 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
26296 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
26297 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
26298 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
26299 platform.
26300
26301 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
26302 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
26303 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
26304
26305 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
26306 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
26307 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
26308 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
26309 @end table
26310
26311 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
26312 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
26313 @var{objfile} is opened.
26314 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
26315 is evaluated more than once.
26316
26317 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
26318 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26319 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26320
26321 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
26322 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
26323 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
26324 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
26325
26326 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
26327 current directory and then along the source search path
26328 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
26329 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
26330 directory is not relevant to scripts.
26331
26332 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
26333 for example, this GCC macro:
26334
26335 @example
26336 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
26337 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
26338 asm("\
26339 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
26340 .byte 1\n\
26341 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
26342 .popsection \n\
26343 ");
26344 @end example
26345
26346 @noindent
26347 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
26348
26349 @example
26350 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
26351 @end example
26352
26353 The script name may include directories if desired.
26354
26355 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26356 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26357
26358 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
26359 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
26360
26361 @node Which flavor to choose?
26362 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
26363
26364 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
26365 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
26366
26367 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
26368
26369 @itemize @bullet
26370 @item
26371 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
26372
26373 @item
26374 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
26375
26376 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
26377 in the source search path.
26378 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
26379 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
26380
26381 @item
26382 Doesn't require source code additions.
26383 @end itemize
26384
26385 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
26386
26387 @itemize @bullet
26388 @item
26389 Works with static linking.
26390
26391 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
26392 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
26393 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
26394 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
26395
26396 @item
26397 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
26398
26399 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
26400 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
26401
26402 @item
26403 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
26404
26405 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
26406 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
26407 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
26408 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
26409 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
26410 top of the source tree to the source search path.
26411 @end itemize
26412
26413 @node Python modules
26414 @subsection Python modules
26415 @cindex python modules
26416
26417 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
26418
26419 @menu
26420 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
26421 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
26422 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
26423 @end menu
26424
26425 @node gdb.printing
26426 @subsubsection gdb.printing
26427 @cindex gdb.printing
26428
26429 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26430 pretty-printers.
26431
26432 @table @code
26433 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
26434 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
26435 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
26436 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
26437
26438 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26439 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
26440 corresponding API for the subprinters.
26441
26442 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26443 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
26444 regular expressions.
26445 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
26446
26447 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
26448 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
26449 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
26450 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
26451 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
26452 the @code{enum} type to look up.
26453
26454 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
26455 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
26456 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
26457 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
26458 if a printer with the same name already exists.
26459 @end table
26460
26461 @node gdb.types
26462 @subsubsection gdb.types
26463 @cindex gdb.types
26464
26465 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26466 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
26467
26468 @table @code
26469 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
26470 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
26471 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
26472
26473 C@t{++} example:
26474
26475 @smallexample
26476 typedef const int const_int;
26477 const_int foo (3);
26478 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
26479 int main () @{ return 0; @}
26480 @end smallexample
26481
26482 Then in gdb:
26483
26484 @smallexample
26485 (gdb) start
26486 (gdb) python import gdb.types
26487 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
26488 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26489 int
26490 @end smallexample
26491
26492 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26493 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26494 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26495
26496 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26497 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26498
26499 @item deep_items (@var{type})
26500 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26501 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26502 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26503 union fields. For example:
26504
26505 @smallexample
26506 struct A
26507 @{
26508 int a;
26509 union @{
26510 int b0;
26511 int b1;
26512 @};
26513 @};
26514 @end smallexample
26515
26516 @noindent
26517 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26518 @smallexample
26519 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26520 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26521 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26522 @{['a', '']@}
26523 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26524 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26525 @end smallexample
26526
26527 @item get_type_recognizers ()
26528 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
26529 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
26530 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
26531
26532 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
26533 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
26534 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
26535 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
26536 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
26537 API}).
26538
26539 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
26540 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
26541 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
26542 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
26543 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
26544 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
26545 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
26546 registered globally.
26547
26548 @item TypePrinter
26549 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
26550 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
26551 It defines a constructor:
26552
26553 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
26554 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
26555 starts in the enabled state.
26556 @end defmethod
26557
26558 @end table
26559
26560 @node gdb.prompt
26561 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26562 @cindex gdb.prompt
26563
26564 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26565
26566 @table @code
26567 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26568 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26569 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26570 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26571
26572 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26573
26574 @table @code
26575 @item \\
26576 Substitute a backslash.
26577 @item \e
26578 Substitute an ESC character.
26579 @item \f
26580 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26581 @item \n
26582 Substitute a newline.
26583 @item \p
26584 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26585 @item \r
26586 Substitute a carriage return.
26587 @item \t
26588 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26589 @item \v
26590 Substitute the version of GDB.
26591 @item \w
26592 Substitute the current working directory.
26593 @item \[
26594 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26595 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26596 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26597 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26598 @item \]
26599 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26600 @end table
26601
26602 For example:
26603
26604 @smallexample
26605 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26606 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26607 @end smallexample
26608
26609 @exdent will return the string:
26610
26611 @smallexample
26612 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26613 @end smallexample
26614 @end table
26615
26616 @node Aliases
26617 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26618 @cindex aliases for commands
26619
26620 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26621 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26622 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26623 that involves less typing.
26624
26625 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26626 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26627 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26628
26629 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26630 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26631 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26632
26633 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26634
26635 @table @code
26636
26637 @kindex alias
26638 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26639
26640 @end table
26641
26642 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26643 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26644 underscores.
26645
26646 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26647 that is being aliased.
26648
26649 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26650 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26651 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26652
26653 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26654 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26655
26656 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26657 of a command so that there is less to type.
26658 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26659 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26660 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26661 The following will accomplish this.
26662
26663 @smallexample
26664 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26665 @end smallexample
26666
26667 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26668 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26669 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26670 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26671
26672 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26673 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26674 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26675 of a command.
26676
26677 @smallexample
26678 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26679 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26680 (gdb) set p elms 20
26681 (gdb) show p elms
26682 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26683 @end smallexample
26684
26685 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26686 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26687 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26688
26689 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26690 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26691
26692 @smallexample
26693 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26694 @end smallexample
26695
26696 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26697 alias for a more complex command.
26698 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26699
26700 @smallexample
26701 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26702 (gdb) spe 20
26703 @end smallexample
26704
26705 @node Interpreters
26706 @chapter Command Interpreters
26707 @cindex command interpreters
26708
26709 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26710 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26711 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26712
26713 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26714 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26715 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26716 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26717
26718 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26719 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26720 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26721 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26722
26723 @table @code
26724 @item console
26725 @cindex console interpreter
26726 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26727 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26728 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26729
26730 @item mi
26731 @cindex mi interpreter
26732 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26733 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26734 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26735 Interface}.
26736
26737 @item mi2
26738 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26739 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26740
26741 @item mi1
26742 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26743 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26744
26745 @end table
26746
26747 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26748 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26749 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26750 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26751 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26752 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26753 the IDE inoperable!
26754
26755 @kindex interpreter-exec
26756 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26757 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26758 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26759 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26760
26761 @smallexample
26762 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26763 @end smallexample
26764
26765 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26766 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26767
26768 @node TUI
26769 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26770 @cindex TUI
26771 @cindex Text User Interface
26772
26773 @menu
26774 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26775 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26776 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26777 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26778 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26779 @end menu
26780
26781 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26782 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26783 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26784 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26785 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26786 is available.
26787
26788 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26789 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26790 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26791 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26792 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26793
26794 @node TUI Overview
26795 @section TUI Overview
26796
26797 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26798
26799 @table @emph
26800 @item command
26801 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26802 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26803 managed using readline.
26804
26805 @item source
26806 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26807 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26808
26809 @item assembly
26810 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26811
26812 @item register
26813 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26814 when their values change.
26815 @end table
26816
26817 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26818 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26819 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26820 indicates the breakpoint type:
26821
26822 @table @code
26823 @item B
26824 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26825
26826 @item b
26827 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26828
26829 @item H
26830 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26831
26832 @item h
26833 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26834 @end table
26835
26836 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26837
26838 @table @code
26839 @item +
26840 Breakpoint is enabled.
26841
26842 @item -
26843 Breakpoint is disabled.
26844 @end table
26845
26846 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26847 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26848 changes.
26849
26850 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26851 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26852 layouts:
26853
26854 @itemize @bullet
26855 @item
26856 source only,
26857
26858 @item
26859 assembly only,
26860
26861 @item
26862 source and assembly,
26863
26864 @item
26865 source and registers, or
26866
26867 @item
26868 assembly and registers.
26869 @end itemize
26870
26871 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26872
26873 @table @emph
26874 @item target
26875 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26876 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26877
26878 @item process
26879 Gives the current process or thread number.
26880 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26881
26882 @item function
26883 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26884 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26885 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26886 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26887
26888 @item line
26889 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26890 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26891
26892 @item pc
26893 Indicates the current program counter address.
26894 @end table
26895
26896 @node TUI Keys
26897 @section TUI Key Bindings
26898 @cindex TUI key bindings
26899
26900 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26901 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26902 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26903 @end ifset
26904 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26905 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26906 @end ifclear
26907 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26908 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26909
26910 @table @kbd
26911 @kindex C-x C-a
26912 @item C-x C-a
26913 @kindex C-x a
26914 @itemx C-x a
26915 @kindex C-x A
26916 @itemx C-x A
26917 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26918 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26919 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26920 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26921 The screen is then refreshed.
26922
26923 @kindex C-x 1
26924 @item C-x 1
26925 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26926 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26927 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26928
26929 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26930
26931 @kindex C-x 2
26932 @item C-x 2
26933 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26934 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26935 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26936 previous layout and the new one.
26937
26938 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26939
26940 @kindex C-x o
26941 @item C-x o
26942 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26943 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26944 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26945
26946 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26947
26948 @kindex C-x s
26949 @item C-x s
26950 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26951 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26952 @end table
26953
26954 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26955
26956 @table @asis
26957 @kindex PgUp
26958 @item @key{PgUp}
26959 Scroll the active window one page up.
26960
26961 @kindex PgDn
26962 @item @key{PgDn}
26963 Scroll the active window one page down.
26964
26965 @kindex Up
26966 @item @key{Up}
26967 Scroll the active window one line up.
26968
26969 @kindex Down
26970 @item @key{Down}
26971 Scroll the active window one line down.
26972
26973 @kindex Left
26974 @item @key{Left}
26975 Scroll the active window one column left.
26976
26977 @kindex Right
26978 @item @key{Right}
26979 Scroll the active window one column right.
26980
26981 @kindex C-L
26982 @item @kbd{C-L}
26983 Refresh the screen.
26984 @end table
26985
26986 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26987 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26988 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26989 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26990 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26991
26992 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26993 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26994 @cindex TUI single key mode
26995
26996 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26997 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26998 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26999
27000 @table @kbd
27001 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27002 @item c
27003 continue
27004
27005 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27006 @item d
27007 down
27008
27009 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27010 @item f
27011 finish
27012
27013 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27014 @item n
27015 next
27016
27017 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27018 @item q
27019 exit the SingleKey mode.
27020
27021 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27022 @item r
27023 run
27024
27025 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27026 @item s
27027 step
27028
27029 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27030 @item u
27031 up
27032
27033 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27034 @item v
27035 info locals
27036
27037 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27038 @item w
27039 where
27040 @end table
27041
27042 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27043 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27044 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27045 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27046 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27047 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27048
27049
27050 @node TUI Commands
27051 @section TUI-specific Commands
27052 @cindex TUI commands
27053
27054 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27055 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27056 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27057 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27058
27059 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27060 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27061 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27062 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27063 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27064
27065 @table @code
27066 @item info win
27067 @kindex info win
27068 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27069
27070 @item layout next
27071 @kindex layout
27072 Display the next layout.
27073
27074 @item layout prev
27075 Display the previous layout.
27076
27077 @item layout src
27078 Display the source window only.
27079
27080 @item layout asm
27081 Display the assembly window only.
27082
27083 @item layout split
27084 Display the source and assembly window.
27085
27086 @item layout regs
27087 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
27088
27089 @item focus next
27090 @kindex focus
27091 Make the next window active for scrolling.
27092
27093 @item focus prev
27094 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
27095
27096 @item focus src
27097 Make the source window active for scrolling.
27098
27099 @item focus asm
27100 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
27101
27102 @item focus regs
27103 Make the register window active for scrolling.
27104
27105 @item focus cmd
27106 Make the command window active for scrolling.
27107
27108 @item refresh
27109 @kindex refresh
27110 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
27111
27112 @item tui reg float
27113 @kindex tui reg
27114 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
27115
27116 @item tui reg general
27117 Show the general registers in the register window.
27118
27119 @item tui reg next
27120 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
27121 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
27122 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
27123 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
27124
27125 @item tui reg system
27126 Show the system registers in the register window.
27127
27128 @item update
27129 @kindex update
27130 Update the source window and the current execution point.
27131
27132 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
27133 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
27134 @kindex winheight
27135 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
27136 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
27137 decrease it.
27138
27139 @item tabset @var{nchars}
27140 @kindex tabset
27141 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
27142 @end table
27143
27144 @node TUI Configuration
27145 @section TUI Configuration Variables
27146 @cindex TUI configuration variables
27147
27148 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
27149
27150 @table @code
27151 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
27152 @kindex set tui border-kind
27153 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
27154 The possible values are the following:
27155 @table @code
27156 @item space
27157 Use a space character to draw the border.
27158
27159 @item ascii
27160 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
27161
27162 @item acs
27163 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
27164 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
27165 @end table
27166
27167 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
27168 @kindex set tui border-mode
27169 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
27170 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
27171 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
27172 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
27173 @table @code
27174 @item normal
27175 Use normal attributes to display the border.
27176
27177 @item standout
27178 Use standout mode.
27179
27180 @item reverse
27181 Use reverse video mode.
27182
27183 @item half
27184 Use half bright mode.
27185
27186 @item half-standout
27187 Use half bright and standout mode.
27188
27189 @item bold
27190 Use extra bright or bold mode.
27191
27192 @item bold-standout
27193 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
27194 @end table
27195 @end table
27196
27197 @node Emacs
27198 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
27199
27200 @cindex Emacs
27201 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
27202 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
27203 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
27204 @value{GDBN}.
27205
27206 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
27207 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
27208 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
27209 created Emacs buffer.
27210 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
27211
27212 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
27213 things:
27214
27215 @itemize @bullet
27216 @item
27217 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
27218 the GUD buffer.
27219
27220 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
27221 and output done by the program you are debugging.
27222
27223 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
27224 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
27225 in this way.
27226
27227 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
27228 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
27229 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
27230 stop.
27231
27232 @item
27233 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
27234
27235 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
27236 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
27237 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
27238 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
27239 and the source.
27240
27241 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
27242 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
27243 @end itemize
27244
27245 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
27246 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
27247 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
27248 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
27249
27250 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
27251 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
27252 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
27253 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
27254 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
27255 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
27256 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
27257 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
27258 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
27259
27260 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
27261 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
27262 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
27263 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
27264
27265 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
27266 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
27267 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
27268 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
27269 one you want.
27270
27271 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
27272 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
27273
27274 @table @kbd
27275 @item C-h m
27276 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
27277
27278 @item C-c C-s
27279 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
27280 update the display window to show the current file and location.
27281
27282 @item C-c C-n
27283 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
27284 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
27285 to show the current file and location.
27286
27287 @item C-c C-i
27288 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
27289 display window accordingly.
27290
27291 @item C-c C-f
27292 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
27293 @code{finish} command.
27294
27295 @item C-c C-r
27296 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
27297 command.
27298
27299 @item C-c <
27300 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
27301 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
27302 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
27303
27304 @item C-c >
27305 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
27306 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
27307 @end table
27308
27309 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
27310 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
27311
27312 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
27313 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
27314 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
27315 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
27316 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
27317 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
27318 speedbar displays watch expressions.
27319
27320 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
27321 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
27322 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
27323 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
27324 frame.
27325
27326 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
27327 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
27328 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
27329 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
27330 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
27331 to correspond properly with the code.
27332
27333 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
27334 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
27335 Emacs Manual}).
27336
27337 @node GDB/MI
27338 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
27339
27340 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
27341
27342 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
27343 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
27344 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
27345 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
27346 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
27347 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
27348
27349 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
27350 in the form of a reference manual.
27351
27352 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
27353 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
27354 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
27355
27356 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
27357
27358 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
27359 This chapter uses the following notation:
27360
27361 @itemize @bullet
27362 @item
27363 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
27364
27365 @item
27366 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
27367 it may or may not be given.
27368
27369 @item
27370 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27371 may repeat zero or more times.
27372
27373 @item
27374 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27375 may repeat one or more times.
27376
27377 @item
27378 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
27379 @end itemize
27380
27381 @ignore
27382 @heading Dependencies
27383 @end ignore
27384
27385 @menu
27386 * GDB/MI General Design::
27387 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
27388 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
27389 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
27390 * GDB/MI Output Records::
27391 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
27392 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
27393 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
27394 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27395 * GDB/MI Program Context::
27396 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
27397 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
27398 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
27399 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
27400 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
27401 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
27402 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
27403 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
27404 * GDB/MI File Commands::
27405 @ignore
27406 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
27407 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
27408 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
27409 @end ignore
27410 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
27411 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
27412 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
27413 @end menu
27414
27415 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27416 @node GDB/MI General Design
27417 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
27418 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
27419
27420 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
27421 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
27422 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
27423 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
27424 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
27425 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
27426 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
27427 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
27428 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
27429 a command and reported as part of that command response.
27430
27431 The important examples of notifications are:
27432 @itemize @bullet
27433
27434 @item
27435 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
27436 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
27437 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
27438 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
27439 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
27440 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
27441 command itself was successfully executed.
27442
27443 @item
27444 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
27445 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
27446 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
27447 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
27448 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
27449 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
27450
27451 @item
27452 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
27453 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
27454 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
27455 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
27456 orthogonal frontend design.
27457
27458 @end itemize
27459
27460 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
27461 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
27462 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
27463 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
27464 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
27465 the user interface.
27466
27467
27468 @menu
27469 * Context management::
27470 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
27471 * Thread groups::
27472 @end menu
27473
27474 @node Context management
27475 @subsection Context management
27476
27477 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
27478 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
27479 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
27480 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
27481 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
27482 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
27483 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
27484 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
27485 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
27486
27487 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
27488 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
27489 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
27490 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
27491 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
27492 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
27493 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
27494 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
27495 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
27496 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
27497 for thread and frame to operate on.
27498
27499 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27500 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27501 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27502 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
27503 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
27504 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
27505 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27506 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27507 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27508 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27509
27510 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27511 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27512 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27513 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27514 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27515 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27516 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27517 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27518 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27519 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27520 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27521 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27522 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27523 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27524 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27525 @samp{--frame} options.
27526
27527 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27528 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27529
27530 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27531 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27532 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27533 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27534 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27535 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27536 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27537 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27538 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27539
27540 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27541 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27542 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27543 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27544 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27545 are running.
27546
27547 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27548 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27549 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27550 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27551 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27552 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27553 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27554 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27555 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27556 @samp{--thread} option).
27557
27558 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27559 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27560 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27561 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27562
27563 @node Thread groups
27564 @subsection Thread groups
27565 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27566 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27567 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27568 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27569 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27570
27571 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27572 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27573 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27574 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27575 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27576 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27577 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27578 into processes.
27579
27580 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27581 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27582 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27583 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27584 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27585 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27586 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27587 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27588 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27589 the members of specific thread group.
27590
27591 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27592 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27593 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27594 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27595 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27596 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27597 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27598 after attaching to that thread group.
27599
27600 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27601 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27602 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27603 such thread groups.
27604
27605 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27606 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27607 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27608
27609 @menu
27610 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27611 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27612 @end menu
27613
27614 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27615 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27616
27617 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27618 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27619 @table @code
27620 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27621 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27622
27623 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27624 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27625 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27626
27627 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27628 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27629 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27630
27631 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27632 "any sequence of digits"
27633
27634 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27635 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27636
27637 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27638 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27639
27640 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27641 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27642
27643 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27644 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27645 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27646
27647 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27648 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27649
27650 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27651 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27652 @end table
27653
27654 @noindent
27655 Notes:
27656
27657 @itemize @bullet
27658 @item
27659 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27660 output is described below.
27661
27662 @item
27663 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27664 finishes.
27665
27666 @item
27667 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27668 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27669 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27670 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27671 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27672 @end itemize
27673
27674 Pragmatics:
27675
27676 @itemize @bullet
27677 @item
27678 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27679
27680 @item
27681 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27682 @end itemize
27683
27684 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27685 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27686
27687 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27688 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27689 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27690 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27691 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27692 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27693
27694 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27695 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27696 @var{token}.
27697
27698 @table @code
27699 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27700 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27701
27702 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27703 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27704
27705 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27706 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27707
27708 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27709 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27710
27711 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27712 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27713
27714 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27715 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27716
27717 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27718 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27719
27720 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27721 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27722
27723 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27724 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27725
27726 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27727 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27728 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27729
27730 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27731 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27732
27733 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27734 @code{ @var{string} }
27735
27736 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27737 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27738
27739 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27740 @code{@var{c-string}}
27741
27742 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27743 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27744
27745 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27746 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27747 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27748
27749 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27750 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27751
27752 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27753 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27754
27755 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27756 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27757
27758 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27759 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27760
27761 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27762 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27763
27764 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27765 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27766 @end table
27767
27768 @noindent
27769 Notes:
27770
27771 @itemize @bullet
27772 @item
27773 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27774
27775 @item
27776 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27777 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27778 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27779 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27780 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27781 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27782 prior command.
27783
27784 @item
27785 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27786 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27787 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27788 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27789
27790 @item
27791 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27792 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27793 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27794 @samp{*}.
27795
27796 @item
27797 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27798 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27799 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27800 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27801
27802 @item
27803 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27804 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27805 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27806 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27807
27808 @item
27809 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27810 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27811 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27812
27813 @item
27814 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27815 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27816 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27817 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27818
27819 @item
27820 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27821 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27822 @var{values}.
27823
27824
27825 @end itemize
27826
27827 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27828 details about the various output records.
27829
27830 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27831 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27832 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27833
27834 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27835 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27836
27837 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27838 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27839 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27840 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27841 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27842 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27843
27844 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27845 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27846 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27847
27848 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27849 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27850 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27851 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27852
27853 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27854 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27855
27856 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27857 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27858 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27859 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27860 might change.
27861
27862 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27863 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27864 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27865 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27866
27867 @itemize @bullet
27868 @item
27869 New MI commands may be added.
27870
27871 @item
27872 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27873
27874 @item
27875 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27876 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27877
27878 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27879 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27880
27881 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27882 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27883 @end itemize
27884
27885 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27886 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27887 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27888 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27889 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27890
27891 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27892 @c version?
27893
27894 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27895 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27896 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27897 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27898 @cindex mailing lists
27899
27900 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27901 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27902 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27903
27904 @menu
27905 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27906 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27907 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27908 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
27909 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27910 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27911 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27912 @end menu
27913
27914 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27915 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27916
27917 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27918 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27919 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27920 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27921
27922 @table @code
27923 @findex ^done
27924 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27925 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27926 values.
27927
27928 @item "^running"
27929 @findex ^running
27930 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27931 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27932 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27933 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27934 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27935 which threads are resumed.
27936
27937 @item "^connected"
27938 @findex ^connected
27939 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27940
27941 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
27942 @findex ^error
27943 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
27944 error message.
27945
27946 @item "^exit"
27947 @findex ^exit
27948 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27949
27950 @end table
27951
27952 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27953 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27954
27955 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27956 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27957 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27958 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27959 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27960
27961 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27962 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27963 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27964 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27965 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27966
27967 @table @code
27968 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27969 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27970 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27971
27972 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27973 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27974 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27975 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27976
27977 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27978 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27979 internals.
27980 @end table
27981
27982 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27983 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27984
27985 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27986 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27987 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27988 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27989 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27990 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27991
27992 The following is the list of possible async records:
27993
27994 @table @code
27995
27996 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27997 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
27998 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
27999 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
28000 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
28001 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
28002 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
28003 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
28004 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
28005 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
28006
28007 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28008 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28009 following values:
28010
28011 @table @code
28012 @item breakpoint-hit
28013 A breakpoint was reached.
28014 @item watchpoint-trigger
28015 A watchpoint was triggered.
28016 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28017 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28018 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28019 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28020 @item function-finished
28021 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28022 @item location-reached
28023 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28024 @item watchpoint-scope
28025 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28026 @item end-stepping-range
28027 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28028 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28029 @item exited-signalled
28030 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28031 @item exited
28032 The inferior exited.
28033 @item exited-normally
28034 The inferior exited normally.
28035 @item signal-received
28036 A signal was received by the inferior.
28037 @item solib-event
28038 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28039 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28040 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28041 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28042 @item fork
28043 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28044 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28045 @item vfork
28046 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28047 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28048 @item syscall-entry
28049 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28050 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28051 @item syscall-entry
28052 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28053 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28054 @item exec
28055 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28056 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28057 @end table
28058
28059 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
28060 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
28061 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28062 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28063 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28064 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28065 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28066 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28067 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28068 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28069 if such information is not available.
28070
28071 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28072 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
28073 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
28074 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
28075 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
28076 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
28077 cannot be used in any way.
28078
28079 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
28080 A thread group became associated with a running program,
28081 either because the program was just started or the thread group
28082 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
28083 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
28084 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
28085
28086 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
28087 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
28088 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
28089 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
28090 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
28091 only when the inferior exited with some code.
28092
28093 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28094 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28095 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
28096 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
28097 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
28098
28099 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
28100 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
28101 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
28102 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
28103 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
28104 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
28105 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
28106
28107 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
28108 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
28109 that thread.
28110
28111 @item =library-loaded,...
28112 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
28113 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
28114 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
28115 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
28116 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
28117 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
28118 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
28119 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
28120 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
28121 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
28122 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
28123 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
28124 thread groups.
28125
28126 @item =library-unloaded,...
28127 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
28128 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
28129 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
28130 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
28131 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
28132 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
28133 thread groups.
28134
28135 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
28136 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
28137 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
28138 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
28139 frame is @var{tpnum}.
28140
28141 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
28142 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
28143 initial value @var{initial}.
28144
28145 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
28146 @itemx =tsv-deleted
28147 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
28148 trace state variables are deleted.
28149
28150 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
28151 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
28152 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
28153 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
28154 value of trace state variable is known.
28155
28156 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
28157 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
28158 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
28159 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
28160 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
28161 user.
28162
28163 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
28164 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
28165 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
28166
28167 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
28168 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
28169
28170 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
28171 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
28172 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
28173 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
28174 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
28175
28176 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
28177 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
28178 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
28179 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
28180 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
28181 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
28182
28183 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
28184 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
28185 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
28186 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
28187 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
28188 executable code.
28189 @end table
28190
28191 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
28192 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
28193
28194 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
28195 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
28196 following fields:
28197
28198 @table @code
28199 @item number
28200 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
28201 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
28202 @samp{1.2}.
28203
28204 @item type
28205 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
28206 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
28207
28208 @item catch-type
28209 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
28210 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
28211
28212 @item disp
28213 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
28214 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
28215 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
28216
28217 @item enabled
28218 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
28219 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
28220 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
28221
28222 @item addr
28223 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
28224 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
28225 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
28226 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
28227 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
28228
28229 @item func
28230 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
28231 If not known, this field is not present.
28232
28233 @item filename
28234 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
28235 If not known, this field is not present.
28236
28237 @item fullname
28238 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
28239 known. If not known, this field is not present.
28240
28241 @item line
28242 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
28243 If not known, this field is not present.
28244
28245 @item at
28246 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
28247 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
28248 by a symbol name.
28249
28250 @item pending
28251 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
28252 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
28253
28254 @item evaluated-by
28255 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
28256 @samp{target}.
28257
28258 @item thread
28259 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
28260 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
28261
28262 @item task
28263 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
28264 field will hold the task identifier.
28265
28266 @item cond
28267 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
28268
28269 @item ignore
28270 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
28271
28272 @item enable
28273 The enable count of the breakpoint.
28274
28275 @item traceframe-usage
28276 FIXME.
28277
28278 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
28279 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
28280
28281 @item mask
28282 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
28283
28284 @item pass
28285 A tracepoint's pass count.
28286
28287 @item original-location
28288 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
28289 This field is optional.
28290
28291 @item times
28292 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
28293
28294 @item installed
28295 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
28296 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
28297 is not.
28298
28299 @item what
28300 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
28301
28302 @end table
28303
28304 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
28305 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
28306
28307 @smallexample
28308 -> -break-insert main
28309 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28310 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28311 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28312 times="0"@}
28313 <- (gdb)
28314 @end smallexample
28315
28316 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
28317 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
28318
28319 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
28320 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
28321 fields:
28322
28323 @table @code
28324 @item level
28325 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
28326 zero. This field is always present.
28327
28328 @item func
28329 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
28330 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
28331
28332 @item addr
28333 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
28334
28335 @item file
28336 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
28337 address. This field may be absent.
28338
28339 @item line
28340 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
28341 may be absent.
28342
28343 @item from
28344 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
28345 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
28346
28347 @end table
28348
28349 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
28350 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
28351
28352 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
28353 uses a tuple with the following fields:
28354
28355 @table @code
28356 @item id
28357 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
28358 always present.
28359
28360 @item target-id
28361 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
28362
28363 @item details
28364 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
28365 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
28366 frontend. This field is optional.
28367
28368 @item state
28369 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
28370 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
28371
28372 @item core
28373 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
28374 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
28375 @end table
28376
28377 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
28378 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
28379
28380 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
28381 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
28382 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
28383 the @code{exception-name} field.
28384
28385 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28386 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
28387 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
28388 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
28389
28390 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
28391 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
28392 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
28393 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
28394
28395 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
28396 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
28397
28398 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
28399
28400 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
28401 information of the breakpoint.
28402
28403 @smallexample
28404 -> -break-insert main
28405 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28406 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28407 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28408 times="0"@}
28409 <- (gdb)
28410 @end smallexample
28411
28412 @subheading Program Execution
28413
28414 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
28415 reason that execution stopped.
28416
28417 @smallexample
28418 -> -exec-run
28419 <- ^running
28420 <- (gdb)
28421 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28422 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
28423 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
28424 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
28425 <- (gdb)
28426 -> -exec-continue
28427 <- ^running
28428 <- (gdb)
28429 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28430 <- (gdb)
28431 @end smallexample
28432
28433 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
28434
28435 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
28436
28437 @smallexample
28438 -> (gdb)
28439 <- -gdb-exit
28440 <- ^exit
28441 @end smallexample
28442
28443 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
28444 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
28445 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
28446 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
28447 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
28448 fails to exit in reasonable time.
28449
28450 @subheading A Bad Command
28451
28452 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
28453
28454 @smallexample
28455 -> -rubbish
28456 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
28457 <- (gdb)
28458 @end smallexample
28459
28460
28461 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28462 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
28463 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
28464
28465 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
28466 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
28467
28468 @subheading Motivation
28469
28470 The motivation for this collection of commands.
28471
28472 @subheading Introduction
28473
28474 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
28475
28476 @subheading Commands
28477
28478 For each command in the block, the following is described:
28479
28480 @subsubheading Synopsis
28481
28482 @smallexample
28483 -command @var{args}@dots{}
28484 @end smallexample
28485
28486 @subsubheading Result
28487
28488 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28489
28490 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
28491
28492 @subsubheading Example
28493
28494 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
28495 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
28496
28497
28498 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28499 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
28500 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
28501
28502 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
28503 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
28504 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28505 breakpoints.
28506
28507 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
28508 @findex -break-after
28509
28510 @subsubheading Synopsis
28511
28512 @smallexample
28513 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
28514 @end smallexample
28515
28516 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
28517 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
28518 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
28519 @samp{-break-list} command below.
28520
28521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28522
28523 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
28524
28525 @subsubheading Example
28526
28527 @smallexample
28528 (gdb)
28529 -break-insert main
28530 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28531 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28532 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28533 times="0"@}
28534 (gdb)
28535 -break-after 1 3
28536 ~
28537 ^done
28538 (gdb)
28539 -break-list
28540 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28541 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28542 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28543 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28544 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28545 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28546 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28547 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28548 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28549 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28550 (gdb)
28551 @end smallexample
28552
28553 @ignore
28554 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
28555 @findex -break-catch
28556 @end ignore
28557
28558 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
28559 @findex -break-commands
28560
28561 @subsubheading Synopsis
28562
28563 @smallexample
28564 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
28565 @end smallexample
28566
28567 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
28568 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
28569 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
28570 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
28571 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
28572 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
28573
28574 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28575
28576 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
28577
28578 @subsubheading Example
28579
28580 @smallexample
28581 (gdb)
28582 -break-insert main
28583 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28584 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28585 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28586 times="0"@}
28587 (gdb)
28588 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
28589 ^done
28590 (gdb)
28591 @end smallexample
28592
28593 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
28594 @findex -break-condition
28595
28596 @subsubheading Synopsis
28597
28598 @smallexample
28599 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
28600 @end smallexample
28601
28602 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
28603 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
28604 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
28605 command below).
28606
28607 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28608
28609 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
28610
28611 @subsubheading Example
28612
28613 @smallexample
28614 (gdb)
28615 -break-condition 1 1
28616 ^done
28617 (gdb)
28618 -break-list
28619 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28620 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28621 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28622 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28623 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28624 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28625 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28626 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28627 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28628 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28629 (gdb)
28630 @end smallexample
28631
28632 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
28633 @findex -break-delete
28634
28635 @subsubheading Synopsis
28636
28637 @smallexample
28638 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28639 @end smallexample
28640
28641 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
28642 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
28643
28644 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28645
28646 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
28647
28648 @subsubheading Example
28649
28650 @smallexample
28651 (gdb)
28652 -break-delete 1
28653 ^done
28654 (gdb)
28655 -break-list
28656 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28657 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28658 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28659 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28660 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28661 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28662 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28663 body=[]@}
28664 (gdb)
28665 @end smallexample
28666
28667 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28668 @findex -break-disable
28669
28670 @subsubheading Synopsis
28671
28672 @smallexample
28673 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28674 @end smallexample
28675
28676 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28677 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28678
28679 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28680
28681 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28682
28683 @subsubheading Example
28684
28685 @smallexample
28686 (gdb)
28687 -break-disable 2
28688 ^done
28689 (gdb)
28690 -break-list
28691 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28692 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28693 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28694 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28695 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28696 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28697 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28698 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28699 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28700 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28701 (gdb)
28702 @end smallexample
28703
28704 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28705 @findex -break-enable
28706
28707 @subsubheading Synopsis
28708
28709 @smallexample
28710 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28711 @end smallexample
28712
28713 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28714
28715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28716
28717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28718
28719 @subsubheading Example
28720
28721 @smallexample
28722 (gdb)
28723 -break-enable 2
28724 ^done
28725 (gdb)
28726 -break-list
28727 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28728 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28729 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28730 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28731 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28732 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28733 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28734 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28735 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28736 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28737 (gdb)
28738 @end smallexample
28739
28740 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28741 @findex -break-info
28742
28743 @subsubheading Synopsis
28744
28745 @smallexample
28746 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28747 @end smallexample
28748
28749 @c REDUNDANT???
28750 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28751
28752 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
28753 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
28754 table.
28755
28756 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28757
28758 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28759
28760 @subsubheading Example
28761 N.A.
28762
28763 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28764 @findex -break-insert
28765
28766 @subsubheading Synopsis
28767
28768 @smallexample
28769 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28770 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28771 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28772 @end smallexample
28773
28774 @noindent
28775 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28776
28777 @itemize @bullet
28778 @item function
28779 @c @item +offset
28780 @c @item -offset
28781 @c @item linenum
28782 @item filename:linenum
28783 @item filename:function
28784 @item *address
28785 @end itemize
28786
28787 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28788
28789 @table @samp
28790 @item -t
28791 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28792 @item -h
28793 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28794 @item -f
28795 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28796 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28797 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28798 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28799 cannot be parsed.
28800 @item -d
28801 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28802 @item -a
28803 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28804 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28805 @item -c @var{condition}
28806 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28807 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28808 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28809 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28810 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28811 @end table
28812
28813 @subsubheading Result
28814
28815 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28816 resulting breakpoint.
28817
28818 Note: this format is open to change.
28819 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28820
28821 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28822
28823 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28824 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28825
28826 @subsubheading Example
28827
28828 @smallexample
28829 (gdb)
28830 -break-insert main
28831 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28832 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28833 times="0"@}
28834 (gdb)
28835 -break-insert -t foo
28836 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28837 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28838 times="0"@}
28839 (gdb)
28840 -break-list
28841 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28842 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28843 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28844 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28845 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28846 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28847 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28848 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28849 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28850 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28851 times="0"@},
28852 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28853 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28854 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28855 times="0"@}]@}
28856 (gdb)
28857 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28858 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28859 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28860 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28861 @c times="0"@}
28862 @c (gdb)
28863 @end smallexample
28864
28865 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28866 @findex -break-list
28867
28868 @subsubheading Synopsis
28869
28870 @smallexample
28871 -break-list
28872 @end smallexample
28873
28874 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28875
28876 @table @samp
28877 @item Number
28878 number of the breakpoint
28879 @item Type
28880 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28881 @item Disposition
28882 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28883 or @samp{nokeep}
28884 @item Enabled
28885 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28886 @item Address
28887 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28888 @item What
28889 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28890 name, line number
28891 @item Thread-groups
28892 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
28893 @item Times
28894 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28895 @end table
28896
28897 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28898 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28899
28900 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28901
28902 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28903
28904 @subsubheading Example
28905
28906 @smallexample
28907 (gdb)
28908 -break-list
28909 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28910 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28911 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28912 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28913 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28914 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28915 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28916 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28917 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28918 times="0"@},
28919 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28920 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28921 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28922 (gdb)
28923 @end smallexample
28924
28925 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28926
28927 @smallexample
28928 (gdb)
28929 -break-list
28930 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28931 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28932 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28933 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28934 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28935 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28936 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28937 body=[]@}
28938 (gdb)
28939 @end smallexample
28940
28941 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28942 @findex -break-passcount
28943
28944 @subsubheading Synopsis
28945
28946 @smallexample
28947 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28948 @end smallexample
28949
28950 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28951 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28952 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28953 command @samp{passcount}.
28954
28955 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28956 @findex -break-watch
28957
28958 @subsubheading Synopsis
28959
28960 @smallexample
28961 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28962 @end smallexample
28963
28964 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28965 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28966 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28967 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28968 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28969 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28970 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28971 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28972
28973 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28974 breakpoints inserted.
28975
28976 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28977
28978 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28979 @samp{rwatch}.
28980
28981 @subsubheading Example
28982
28983 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28984
28985 @smallexample
28986 (gdb)
28987 -break-watch x
28988 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28989 (gdb)
28990 -exec-continue
28991 ^running
28992 (gdb)
28993 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28994 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28995 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28996 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28997 (gdb)
28998 @end smallexample
28999
29000 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
29001 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
29002 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
29003
29004 @smallexample
29005 (gdb)
29006 -break-watch C
29007 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
29008 (gdb)
29009 -exec-continue
29010 ^running
29011 (gdb)
29012 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
29013 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29014 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29015 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29016 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29017 (gdb)
29018 -exec-continue
29019 ^running
29020 (gdb)
29021 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
29022 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29023 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29024 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29025 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29026 (gdb)
29027 @end smallexample
29028
29029 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
29030 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
29031 deleted.
29032
29033 @smallexample
29034 (gdb)
29035 -break-watch C
29036 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
29037 (gdb)
29038 -break-list
29039 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29040 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29041 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29042 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29043 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29044 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29045 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29046 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29047 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29048 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29049 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29050 times="1"@},
29051 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29052 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29053 (gdb)
29054 -exec-continue
29055 ^running
29056 (gdb)
29057 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
29058 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29059 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29060 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29061 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29062 (gdb)
29063 -break-list
29064 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29065 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29066 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29067 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29068 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29069 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29070 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29071 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29072 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29073 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29074 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29075 times="1"@},
29076 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29077 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
29078 (gdb)
29079 -exec-continue
29080 ^running
29081 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
29082 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29083 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29084 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29085 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29086 (gdb)
29087 -break-list
29088 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29089 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29090 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29091 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29092 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29093 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29094 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29095 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29096 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29097 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29098 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
29099 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
29100 (gdb)
29101 @end smallexample
29102
29103
29104 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29105 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
29106 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
29107
29108 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29109 catchpoints.
29110
29111 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
29112 @findex -catch-load
29113
29114 @subsubheading Synopsis
29115
29116 @smallexample
29117 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29118 @end smallexample
29119
29120 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
29121 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29122 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
29123 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29124 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
29125
29126
29127 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29128
29129 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
29130
29131 @subsubheading Example
29132
29133 @smallexample
29134 -catch-load -t foo.so
29135 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29136 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
29137 (gdb)
29138 @end smallexample
29139
29140
29141 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
29142 @findex -catch-unload
29143
29144 @subsubheading Synopsis
29145
29146 @smallexample
29147 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29148 @end smallexample
29149
29150 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
29151 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29152 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
29153 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29154 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
29155
29156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29157
29158 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
29159
29160 @subsubheading Example
29161
29162 @smallexample
29163 -catch-unload -d bar.so
29164 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29165 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
29166 (gdb)
29167 @end smallexample
29168
29169
29170 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29171 @node GDB/MI Program Context
29172 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
29173
29174 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
29175 @findex -exec-arguments
29176
29177
29178 @subsubheading Synopsis
29179
29180 @smallexample
29181 -exec-arguments @var{args}
29182 @end smallexample
29183
29184 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
29185 @samp{-exec-run}.
29186
29187 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29188
29189 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
29190
29191 @subsubheading Example
29192
29193 @smallexample
29194 (gdb)
29195 -exec-arguments -v word
29196 ^done
29197 (gdb)
29198 @end smallexample
29199
29200
29201 @ignore
29202 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
29203 @findex -exec-show-arguments
29204
29205 @subsubheading Synopsis
29206
29207 @smallexample
29208 -exec-show-arguments
29209 @end smallexample
29210
29211 Print the arguments of the program.
29212
29213 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29214
29215 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
29216
29217 @subsubheading Example
29218 N.A.
29219 @end ignore
29220
29221
29222 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
29223 @findex -environment-cd
29224
29225 @subsubheading Synopsis
29226
29227 @smallexample
29228 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
29229 @end smallexample
29230
29231 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
29232
29233 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29234
29235 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
29236
29237 @subsubheading Example
29238
29239 @smallexample
29240 (gdb)
29241 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29242 ^done
29243 (gdb)
29244 @end smallexample
29245
29246
29247 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
29248 @findex -environment-directory
29249
29250 @subsubheading Synopsis
29251
29252 @smallexample
29253 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29254 @end smallexample
29255
29256 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
29257 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
29258 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
29259 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29260 occurs as normal.
29261 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29262 multiple directories in a single command
29263 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29264 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29265 If blanks are needed as
29266 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29267 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29268 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29269 character must not be used
29270 in any directory name.
29271 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
29272
29273 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29274
29275 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
29276
29277 @subsubheading Example
29278
29279 @smallexample
29280 (gdb)
29281 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29282 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29283 (gdb)
29284 -environment-directory ""
29285 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29286 (gdb)
29287 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
29288 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
29289 (gdb)
29290 -environment-directory -r
29291 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
29292 (gdb)
29293 @end smallexample
29294
29295
29296 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
29297 @findex -environment-path
29298
29299 @subsubheading Synopsis
29300
29301 @smallexample
29302 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29303 @end smallexample
29304
29305 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
29306 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
29307 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
29308 supplied in addition to the
29309 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29310 occurs as normal.
29311 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29312 multiple directories in a single command
29313 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29314 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29315 If blanks are needed as
29316 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29317 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29318 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29319 character must not be used
29320 in any directory name.
29321 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
29322
29323
29324 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29325
29326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
29327
29328 @subsubheading Example
29329
29330 @smallexample
29331 (gdb)
29332 -environment-path
29333 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
29334 (gdb)
29335 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
29336 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
29337 (gdb)
29338 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
29339 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
29340 (gdb)
29341 @end smallexample
29342
29343
29344 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
29345 @findex -environment-pwd
29346
29347 @subsubheading Synopsis
29348
29349 @smallexample
29350 -environment-pwd
29351 @end smallexample
29352
29353 Show the current working directory.
29354
29355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29356
29357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
29358
29359 @subsubheading Example
29360
29361 @smallexample
29362 (gdb)
29363 -environment-pwd
29364 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
29365 (gdb)
29366 @end smallexample
29367
29368 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29369 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
29370 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
29371
29372
29373 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
29374 @findex -thread-info
29375
29376 @subsubheading Synopsis
29377
29378 @smallexample
29379 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
29380 @end smallexample
29381
29382 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
29383 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
29384 threads. When printing information about all threads,
29385 also reports the current thread.
29386
29387 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29388
29389 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
29390 about all threads.
29391
29392 @subsubheading Result
29393
29394 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
29395 defined for a given thread:
29396
29397 @table @samp
29398 @item current
29399 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29400
29401 @item id
29402 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
29403
29404 @item target-id
29405 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
29406
29407 @item details
29408 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
29409 field is optional.
29410
29411 @item name
29412 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
29413 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
29414 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
29415 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
29416 field is omitted.
29417
29418 @item frame
29419 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
29420
29421 @item state
29422 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
29423 values:
29424
29425 @table @code
29426 @item stopped
29427 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
29428 threads.
29429
29430 @item running
29431 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
29432 threads.
29433
29434 @end table
29435
29436 @item core
29437 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
29438 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
29439
29440 @end table
29441
29442 @subsubheading Example
29443
29444 @smallexample
29445 -thread-info
29446 ^done,threads=[
29447 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29448 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
29449 args=[]@},state="running"@},
29450 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29451 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
29452 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29453 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
29454 state="running"@}],
29455 current-thread-id="1"
29456 (gdb)
29457 @end smallexample
29458
29459 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
29460 @findex -thread-list-ids
29461
29462 @subsubheading Synopsis
29463
29464 @smallexample
29465 -thread-list-ids
29466 @end smallexample
29467
29468 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
29469 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
29470
29471 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
29472 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
29473
29474 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29475
29476 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
29477
29478 @subsubheading Example
29479
29480 @smallexample
29481 (gdb)
29482 -thread-list-ids
29483 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29484 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
29485 (gdb)
29486 @end smallexample
29487
29488
29489 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
29490 @findex -thread-select
29491
29492 @subsubheading Synopsis
29493
29494 @smallexample
29495 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
29496 @end smallexample
29497
29498 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
29499 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
29500
29501 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
29502 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
29503
29504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29505
29506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
29507
29508 @subsubheading Example
29509
29510 @smallexample
29511 (gdb)
29512 -exec-next
29513 ^running
29514 (gdb)
29515 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
29516 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
29517 (gdb)
29518 -thread-list-ids
29519 ^done,
29520 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29521 number-of-threads="3"
29522 (gdb)
29523 -thread-select 3
29524 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
29525 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
29526 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
29527 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
29528 (gdb)
29529 @end smallexample
29530
29531 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29532 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
29533 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
29534
29535 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
29536 @findex -ada-task-info
29537
29538 @subsubheading Synopsis
29539
29540 @smallexample
29541 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
29542 @end smallexample
29543
29544 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
29545 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
29546
29547 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29548
29549 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
29550 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
29551
29552 @subsubheading Result
29553
29554 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
29555 defined for each Ada task:
29556
29557 @table @samp
29558 @item current
29559 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29560
29561 @item id
29562 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
29563
29564 @item task-id
29565 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
29566
29567 @item thread-id
29568 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
29569
29570 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
29571 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
29572 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
29573
29574 @item parent-id
29575 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
29576 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
29577
29578 @item priority
29579 The base priority of the task.
29580
29581 @item state
29582 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
29583 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
29584
29585 @item name
29586 The name of the task.
29587
29588 @end table
29589
29590 @subsubheading Example
29591
29592 @smallexample
29593 -ada-task-info
29594 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
29595 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
29596 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
29597 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
29598 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
29599 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
29600 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
29601 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
29602 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
29603 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
29604 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
29605 (gdb)
29606 @end smallexample
29607
29608 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29609 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
29610 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
29611
29612 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
29613 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
29614 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
29615 other cases.
29616
29617 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
29618 @findex -exec-continue
29619
29620 @subsubheading Synopsis
29621
29622 @smallexample
29623 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
29624 @end smallexample
29625
29626 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
29627 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
29628 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
29629 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
29630 @itemize @bullet
29631 @item
29632 breakpoints or watchpoints
29633 @item
29634 signals or exceptions
29635 @item
29636 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
29637 @item
29638 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
29639 @end itemize
29640 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
29641 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
29642 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
29643 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
29644 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
29645 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
29646
29647 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29648
29649 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
29650
29651 @subsubheading Example
29652
29653 @smallexample
29654 -exec-continue
29655 ^running
29656 (gdb)
29657 @@Hello world
29658 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
29659 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
29660 line="13"@}
29661 (gdb)
29662 @end smallexample
29663
29664
29665 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
29666 @findex -exec-finish
29667
29668 @subsubheading Synopsis
29669
29670 @smallexample
29671 -exec-finish [--reverse]
29672 @end smallexample
29673
29674 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
29675 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
29676 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
29677 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
29678 function was called.
29679
29680 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29681
29682 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
29683
29684 @subsubheading Example
29685
29686 Function returning @code{void}.
29687
29688 @smallexample
29689 -exec-finish
29690 ^running
29691 (gdb)
29692 @@hello from foo
29693 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29694 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
29695 (gdb)
29696 @end smallexample
29697
29698 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
29699 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
29700 value itself.
29701
29702 @smallexample
29703 -exec-finish
29704 ^running
29705 (gdb)
29706 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
29707 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
29708 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29709 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
29710 (gdb)
29711 @end smallexample
29712
29713
29714 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
29715 @findex -exec-interrupt
29716
29717 @subsubheading Synopsis
29718
29719 @smallexample
29720 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29721 @end smallexample
29722
29723 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29724 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29725 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29726 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29727 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29728
29729 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29730 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29731 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29732 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29733
29734 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29735 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29736 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29737 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29738
29739 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29740
29741 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29742
29743 @subsubheading Example
29744
29745 @smallexample
29746 (gdb)
29747 111-exec-continue
29748 111^running
29749
29750 (gdb)
29751 222-exec-interrupt
29752 222^done
29753 (gdb)
29754 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29755 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29756 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29757 (gdb)
29758
29759 (gdb)
29760 -exec-interrupt
29761 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29762 (gdb)
29763 @end smallexample
29764
29765 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29766 @findex -exec-jump
29767
29768 @subsubheading Synopsis
29769
29770 @smallexample
29771 -exec-jump @var{location}
29772 @end smallexample
29773
29774 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29775 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29776 different forms of @var{location}.
29777
29778 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29779
29780 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29781
29782 @subsubheading Example
29783
29784 @smallexample
29785 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29786 *running,thread-id="all"
29787 ^running
29788 @end smallexample
29789
29790
29791 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29792 @findex -exec-next
29793
29794 @subsubheading Synopsis
29795
29796 @smallexample
29797 -exec-next [--reverse]
29798 @end smallexample
29799
29800 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29801 of the next source line is reached.
29802
29803 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29804 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29805 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29806 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29807 source line where the function was called.
29808
29809
29810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29811
29812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29813
29814 @subsubheading Example
29815
29816 @smallexample
29817 -exec-next
29818 ^running
29819 (gdb)
29820 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29821 (gdb)
29822 @end smallexample
29823
29824
29825 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29826 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29827
29828 @subsubheading Synopsis
29829
29830 @smallexample
29831 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29832 @end smallexample
29833
29834 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29835 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29836 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29837 printed as well.
29838
29839 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29840 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29841 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29842 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29843 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29844
29845 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29846
29847 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29848
29849 @subsubheading Example
29850
29851 @smallexample
29852 (gdb)
29853 -exec-next-instruction
29854 ^running
29855
29856 (gdb)
29857 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29858 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29859 (gdb)
29860 @end smallexample
29861
29862
29863 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29864 @findex -exec-return
29865
29866 @subsubheading Synopsis
29867
29868 @smallexample
29869 -exec-return
29870 @end smallexample
29871
29872 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29873 Displays the new current frame.
29874
29875 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29876
29877 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29878
29879 @subsubheading Example
29880
29881 @smallexample
29882 (gdb)
29883 200-break-insert callee4
29884 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29885 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29886 (gdb)
29887 000-exec-run
29888 000^running
29889 (gdb)
29890 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29891 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29892 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29893 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29894 (gdb)
29895 205-break-delete
29896 205^done
29897 (gdb)
29898 111-exec-return
29899 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29900 args=[@{name="strarg",
29901 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29902 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29903 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29904 (gdb)
29905 @end smallexample
29906
29907
29908 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29909 @findex -exec-run
29910
29911 @subsubheading Synopsis
29912
29913 @smallexample
29914 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29915 @end smallexample
29916
29917 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29918 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29919 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29920 the program has exited exceptionally.
29921
29922 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29923 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29924 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29925 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29926
29927 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29928
29929 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29930
29931 @subsubheading Examples
29932
29933 @smallexample
29934 (gdb)
29935 -break-insert main
29936 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29937 (gdb)
29938 -exec-run
29939 ^running
29940 (gdb)
29941 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29942 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29943 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29944 (gdb)
29945 @end smallexample
29946
29947 @noindent
29948 Program exited normally:
29949
29950 @smallexample
29951 (gdb)
29952 -exec-run
29953 ^running
29954 (gdb)
29955 x = 55
29956 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29957 (gdb)
29958 @end smallexample
29959
29960 @noindent
29961 Program exited exceptionally:
29962
29963 @smallexample
29964 (gdb)
29965 -exec-run
29966 ^running
29967 (gdb)
29968 x = 55
29969 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29970 (gdb)
29971 @end smallexample
29972
29973 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29974 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29975
29976 @smallexample
29977 (gdb)
29978 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29979 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29980 @end smallexample
29981
29982
29983 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29984
29985
29986 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29987 @findex -exec-step
29988
29989 @subsubheading Synopsis
29990
29991 @smallexample
29992 -exec-step [--reverse]
29993 @end smallexample
29994
29995 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29996 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29997 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29998 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29999 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
30000 previously executed source line.
30001
30002 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30003
30004 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
30005
30006 @subsubheading Example
30007
30008 Stepping into a function:
30009
30010 @smallexample
30011 -exec-step
30012 ^running
30013 (gdb)
30014 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30015 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
30016 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
30017 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
30018 (gdb)
30019 @end smallexample
30020
30021 Regular stepping:
30022
30023 @smallexample
30024 -exec-step
30025 ^running
30026 (gdb)
30027 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
30028 (gdb)
30029 @end smallexample
30030
30031
30032 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
30033 @findex -exec-step-instruction
30034
30035 @subsubheading Synopsis
30036
30037 @smallexample
30038 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
30039 @end smallexample
30040
30041 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
30042 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
30043 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
30044 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
30045 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
30046 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
30047 as well.
30048
30049 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30050
30051 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
30052
30053 @subsubheading Example
30054
30055 @smallexample
30056 (gdb)
30057 -exec-step-instruction
30058 ^running
30059
30060 (gdb)
30061 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30062 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30063 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30064 (gdb)
30065 -exec-step-instruction
30066 ^running
30067
30068 (gdb)
30069 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30070 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30071 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30072 (gdb)
30073 @end smallexample
30074
30075
30076 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
30077 @findex -exec-until
30078
30079 @subsubheading Synopsis
30080
30081 @smallexample
30082 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
30083 @end smallexample
30084
30085 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
30086 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
30087 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
30088 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
30089
30090 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30091
30092 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
30093
30094 @subsubheading Example
30095
30096 @smallexample
30097 (gdb)
30098 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
30099 ^running
30100 (gdb)
30101 x = 55
30102 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30103 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
30104 (gdb)
30105 @end smallexample
30106
30107 @ignore
30108 @subheading -file-clear
30109 Is this going away????
30110 @end ignore
30111
30112 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30113 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
30114 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
30115
30116
30117 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
30118 @findex -stack-info-frame
30119
30120 @subsubheading Synopsis
30121
30122 @smallexample
30123 -stack-info-frame
30124 @end smallexample
30125
30126 Get info on the selected frame.
30127
30128 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30129
30130 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
30131 (without arguments).
30132
30133 @subsubheading Example
30134
30135 @smallexample
30136 (gdb)
30137 -stack-info-frame
30138 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30139 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30140 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
30141 (gdb)
30142 @end smallexample
30143
30144 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
30145 @findex -stack-info-depth
30146
30147 @subsubheading Synopsis
30148
30149 @smallexample
30150 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
30151 @end smallexample
30152
30153 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
30154 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
30155
30156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30157
30158 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30159
30160 @subsubheading Example
30161
30162 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
30163
30164 @smallexample
30165 (gdb)
30166 -stack-info-depth
30167 ^done,depth="12"
30168 (gdb)
30169 -stack-info-depth 4
30170 ^done,depth="4"
30171 (gdb)
30172 -stack-info-depth 12
30173 ^done,depth="12"
30174 (gdb)
30175 -stack-info-depth 11
30176 ^done,depth="11"
30177 (gdb)
30178 -stack-info-depth 13
30179 ^done,depth="12"
30180 (gdb)
30181 @end smallexample
30182
30183 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
30184 @findex -stack-list-arguments
30185
30186 @subsubheading Synopsis
30187
30188 @smallexample
30189 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
30190 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30191 @end smallexample
30192
30193 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
30194 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
30195 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
30196 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
30197 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
30198 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
30199 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
30200 which case only existing frames will be returned.
30201
30202 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30203 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30204 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30205 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30206 structures and unions.
30207
30208 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
30209 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30210
30211 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30212
30213 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
30214 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
30215 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
30216
30217 @subsubheading Example
30218
30219 @smallexample
30220 (gdb)
30221 -stack-list-frames
30222 ^done,
30223 stack=[
30224 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30225 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30226 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
30227 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30228 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30229 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
30230 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
30231 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30232 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
30233 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
30234 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30235 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
30236 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
30237 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30238 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
30239 (gdb)
30240 -stack-list-arguments 0
30241 ^done,
30242 stack-args=[
30243 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30244 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
30245 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
30246 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
30247 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30248 (gdb)
30249 -stack-list-arguments 1
30250 ^done,
30251 stack-args=[
30252 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30253 frame=@{level="1",
30254 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30255 frame=@{level="2",args=[
30256 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30257 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30258 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
30259 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30260 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
30261 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
30262 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30263 (gdb)
30264 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
30265 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
30266 (gdb)
30267 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
30268 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
30269 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30270 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
30271 (gdb)
30272 @end smallexample
30273
30274 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
30275
30276
30277 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
30278 @findex -stack-list-frames
30279
30280 @subsubheading Synopsis
30281
30282 @smallexample
30283 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30284 @end smallexample
30285
30286 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
30287 following info:
30288
30289 @table @samp
30290 @item @var{level}
30291 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
30292 @item @var{addr}
30293 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
30294 @item @var{func}
30295 Function name.
30296 @item @var{file}
30297 File name of the source file where the function lives.
30298 @item @var{fullname}
30299 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
30300 @item @var{line}
30301 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
30302 @item @var{from}
30303 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
30304 if the frame's function is not known.
30305 @end table
30306
30307 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
30308 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
30309 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
30310 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
30311 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
30312 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
30313 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
30314
30315 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30316
30317 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
30318
30319 @subsubheading Example
30320
30321 Full stack backtrace:
30322
30323 @smallexample
30324 (gdb)
30325 -stack-list-frames
30326 ^done,stack=
30327 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
30328 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
30329 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30330 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30331 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30332 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30333 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30334 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30335 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30336 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30337 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30338 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30339 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30340 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30341 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30342 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30343 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30344 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30345 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30346 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30347 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30348 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30349 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
30350 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
30351 (gdb)
30352 @end smallexample
30353
30354 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
30355
30356 @smallexample
30357 (gdb)
30358 -stack-list-frames 3 5
30359 ^done,stack=
30360 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30361 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30362 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30363 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30364 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30365 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30366 (gdb)
30367 @end smallexample
30368
30369 Show a single frame:
30370
30371 @smallexample
30372 (gdb)
30373 -stack-list-frames 3 3
30374 ^done,stack=
30375 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30376 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30377 (gdb)
30378 @end smallexample
30379
30380
30381 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
30382 @findex -stack-list-locals
30383
30384 @subsubheading Synopsis
30385
30386 @smallexample
30387 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
30388 @end smallexample
30389
30390 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
30391 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30392 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30393 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30394 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30395 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
30396 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
30397 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
30398 more detail.
30399
30400 This command is deprecated in favor of the
30401 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30402
30403 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30404
30405 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
30406
30407 @subsubheading Example
30408
30409 @smallexample
30410 (gdb)
30411 -stack-list-locals 0
30412 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
30413 (gdb)
30414 -stack-list-locals --all-values
30415 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
30416 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
30417 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
30418 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
30419 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
30420 (gdb)
30421 @end smallexample
30422
30423 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
30424 @findex -stack-list-variables
30425
30426 @subsubheading Synopsis
30427
30428 @smallexample
30429 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
30430 @end smallexample
30431
30432 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
30433 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30434 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30435 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30436 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30437 structures and unions.
30438
30439 @subsubheading Example
30440
30441 @smallexample
30442 (gdb)
30443 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
30444 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
30445 (gdb)
30446 @end smallexample
30447
30448
30449 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
30450 @findex -stack-select-frame
30451
30452 @subsubheading Synopsis
30453
30454 @smallexample
30455 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
30456 @end smallexample
30457
30458 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
30459 the stack.
30460
30461 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
30462 option to every command.
30463
30464 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30465
30466 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
30467 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
30468
30469 @subsubheading Example
30470
30471 @smallexample
30472 (gdb)
30473 -stack-select-frame 2
30474 ^done
30475 (gdb)
30476 @end smallexample
30477
30478 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30479 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
30480 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
30481
30482 @ignore
30483
30484 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30485
30486 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
30487 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
30488 used by @code{Insight}.
30489
30490 The two main reasons for that are:
30491
30492 @enumerate 1
30493 @item
30494 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
30495
30496 @item
30497 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
30498 now).
30499 @end enumerate
30500
30501 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
30502 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
30503 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
30504 hints about their use.
30505
30506 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
30507 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
30508 least, the following operations:
30509
30510 @itemize @bullet
30511 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
30512 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
30513 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
30514 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
30515 @end itemize
30516
30517 @end ignore
30518
30519 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
30520
30521 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30522
30523 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
30524 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
30525 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
30526 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
30527 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
30528 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
30529 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
30530 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
30531 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
30532 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
30533 object, or to change display format.
30534
30535 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
30536 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
30537 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
30538 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
30539 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
30540 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
30541 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
30542 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
30543 child will be created.
30544
30545 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
30546 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
30547 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
30548 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
30549 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
30550
30551 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
30552 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
30553 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
30554 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
30555 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
30556 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
30557 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
30558 variables that frontend has created.
30559
30560 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
30561 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
30562 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
30563 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
30564 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
30565 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
30566 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
30567 implicitly updated.
30568
30569 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
30570 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
30571 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
30572 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
30573 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
30574 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
30575 frame. Consider this example:
30576
30577 @smallexample
30578 void do_work(...)
30579 @{
30580 struct work_state state;
30581
30582 if (...)
30583 do_work(...);
30584 @}
30585 @end smallexample
30586
30587 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
30588 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
30589 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
30590 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
30591 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
30592
30593 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
30594 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
30595 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
30596 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
30597 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
30598 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
30599
30600 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
30601 access this functionality:
30602
30603 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
30604 @item @strong{Operation}
30605 @tab @strong{Description}
30606
30607 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
30608 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
30609 @item @code{-var-create}
30610 @tab create a variable object
30611 @item @code{-var-delete}
30612 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
30613 @item @code{-var-set-format}
30614 @tab set the display format of this variable
30615 @item @code{-var-show-format}
30616 @tab show the display format of this variable
30617 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
30618 @tab tells how many children this object has
30619 @item @code{-var-list-children}
30620 @tab return a list of the object's children
30621 @item @code{-var-info-type}
30622 @tab show the type of this variable object
30623 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
30624 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
30625 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
30626 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
30627 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
30628 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
30629 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
30630 @tab get the value of this variable
30631 @item @code{-var-assign}
30632 @tab set the value of this variable
30633 @item @code{-var-update}
30634 @tab update the variable and its children
30635 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
30636 @tab set frozeness attribute
30637 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
30638 @tab set range of children to display on update
30639 @end multitable
30640
30641 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
30642 how it can be used.
30643
30644 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
30645
30646 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
30647 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
30648
30649 @smallexample
30650 -enable-pretty-printing
30651 @end smallexample
30652
30653 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
30654 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
30655 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30656 request that this functionality be enabled.
30657
30658 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30659
30660 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30661 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30662
30663 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
30664 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
30665
30666 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
30667 @findex -var-create
30668
30669 @subsubheading Synopsis
30670
30671 @smallexample
30672 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
30673 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
30674 @end smallexample
30675
30676 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
30677 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
30678 register.
30679
30680 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
30681 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
30682 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
30683 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
30684 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
30685
30686 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
30687 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
30688 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
30689 object must be created.
30690
30691 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
30692 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
30693
30694 @itemize @bullet
30695 @item
30696 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
30697
30698 @item
30699 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
30700
30701 @item
30702 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
30703 @end itemize
30704
30705 @cindex dynamic varobj
30706 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
30707 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
30708 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
30709 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
30710 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
30711 compatibility for existing clients.
30712
30713 @subsubheading Result
30714
30715 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
30716 are:
30717
30718 @table @samp
30719 @item name
30720 The name of the varobj.
30721
30722 @item numchild
30723 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30724 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30725 @samp{has_more} attribute.
30726
30727 @item value
30728 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30729 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30730 will not be interesting.
30731
30732 @item type
30733 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30734 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30735 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30736 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30737 @emph{declared} one.
30738
30739 @item thread-id
30740 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30741 thread's identifier.
30742
30743 @item has_more
30744 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30745 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30746
30747 @item dynamic
30748 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30749 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30750 then this attribute will not be present.
30751
30752 @item displayhint
30753 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30754 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30755 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30756 @end table
30757
30758 Typical output will look like this:
30759
30760 @smallexample
30761 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30762 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30763 @end smallexample
30764
30765
30766 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30767 @findex -var-delete
30768
30769 @subsubheading Synopsis
30770
30771 @smallexample
30772 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30773 @end smallexample
30774
30775 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30776 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30777
30778 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30779
30780
30781 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30782 @findex -var-set-format
30783
30784 @subsubheading Synopsis
30785
30786 @smallexample
30787 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30788 @end smallexample
30789
30790 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30791 @var{format-spec}.
30792
30793 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30794 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30795
30796 @smallexample
30797 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30798 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30799 @end smallexample
30800
30801 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30802 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30803 for pointers, etc.).
30804
30805 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30806 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30807
30808 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30809 @findex -var-show-format
30810
30811 @subsubheading Synopsis
30812
30813 @smallexample
30814 -var-show-format @var{name}
30815 @end smallexample
30816
30817 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30818
30819 @smallexample
30820 @var{format} @expansion{}
30821 @var{format-spec}
30822 @end smallexample
30823
30824
30825 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30826 @findex -var-info-num-children
30827
30828 @subsubheading Synopsis
30829
30830 @smallexample
30831 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30832 @end smallexample
30833
30834 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30835
30836 @smallexample
30837 numchild=@var{n}
30838 @end smallexample
30839
30840 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30841 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30842 be available.
30843
30844
30845 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30846 @findex -var-list-children
30847
30848 @subsubheading Synopsis
30849
30850 @smallexample
30851 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30852 @end smallexample
30853 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30854
30855 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30856 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30857 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30858 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30859 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30860 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30861 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30862 and unions.
30863
30864 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30865 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30866 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30867 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30868 reported.
30869
30870 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30871 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30872 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30873 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30874 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30875 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30876 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30877 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30878 the visible items.
30879
30880 For each child the following results are returned:
30881
30882 @table @var
30883
30884 @item name
30885 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30886
30887 @item exp
30888 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30889 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30890
30891 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30892 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30893
30894 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30895 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30896 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30897 type and value are not present.
30898
30899 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30900 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30901 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30902
30903 @item numchild
30904 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30905 0.
30906
30907 @item type
30908 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30909 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30910 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30911 @emph{declared} one.
30912
30913 @item value
30914 If values were requested, this is the value.
30915
30916 @item thread-id
30917 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
30918 Otherwise this result is not present.
30919
30920 @item frozen
30921 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30922 @end table
30923
30924 The result may have its own attributes:
30925
30926 @table @samp
30927 @item displayhint
30928 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30929 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30930 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30931
30932 @item has_more
30933 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30934 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30935 @end table
30936
30937 @subsubheading Example
30938
30939 @smallexample
30940 (gdb)
30941 -var-list-children n
30942 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30943 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30944 (gdb)
30945 -var-list-children --all-values n
30946 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30947 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30948 @end smallexample
30949
30950
30951 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30952 @findex -var-info-type
30953
30954 @subsubheading Synopsis
30955
30956 @smallexample
30957 -var-info-type @var{name}
30958 @end smallexample
30959
30960 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30961 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30962 @value{GDBN} CLI:
30963
30964 @smallexample
30965 type=@var{typename}
30966 @end smallexample
30967
30968
30969 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30970 @findex -var-info-expression
30971
30972 @subsubheading Synopsis
30973
30974 @smallexample
30975 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30976 @end smallexample
30977
30978 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30979 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30980 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30981
30982 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30983 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30984
30985 @smallexample
30986 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30987 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30988 @end smallexample
30989
30990 @noindent
30991 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
30992
30993 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30994 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30995 is of limited use.
30996
30997 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30998 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30999
31000 @subsubheading Synopsis
31001
31002 @smallexample
31003 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
31004 @end smallexample
31005
31006 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
31007 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
31008 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
31009 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
31010 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
31011 watchpoint from a variable object.
31012
31013 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
31014 and will give an error when invoked on one.
31015
31016 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
31017 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
31018 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
31019 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
31020 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
31021 @smallexample
31022 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
31023 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
31024 @end smallexample
31025
31026 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
31027 @findex -var-show-attributes
31028
31029 @subsubheading Synopsis
31030
31031 @smallexample
31032 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
31033 @end smallexample
31034
31035 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
31036
31037 @smallexample
31038 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
31039 @end smallexample
31040
31041 @noindent
31042 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
31043
31044 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
31045 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
31046
31047 @subsubheading Synopsis
31048
31049 @smallexample
31050 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
31051 @end smallexample
31052
31053 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
31054 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
31055 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
31056 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
31057 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
31058 the current display format will be used. The current display format
31059 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
31060
31061 @smallexample
31062 value=@var{value}
31063 @end smallexample
31064
31065 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
31066 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
31067
31068 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
31069 @findex -var-assign
31070
31071 @subsubheading Synopsis
31072
31073 @smallexample
31074 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
31075 @end smallexample
31076
31077 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
31078 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
31079 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
31080 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
31081
31082 @subsubheading Example
31083
31084 @smallexample
31085 (gdb)
31086 -var-assign var1 3
31087 ^done,value="3"
31088 (gdb)
31089 -var-update *
31090 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
31091 (gdb)
31092 @end smallexample
31093
31094 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
31095 @findex -var-update
31096
31097 @subsubheading Synopsis
31098
31099 @smallexample
31100 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
31101 @end smallexample
31102
31103 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
31104 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
31105 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
31106 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
31107 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
31108 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
31109 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
31110 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
31111 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
31112 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
31113 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
31114 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
31115 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
31116
31117 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
31118 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
31119 diagnostic.
31120
31121 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
31122 only the selected range of children will be reported.
31123
31124 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
31125 @samp{changelist}.
31126
31127 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
31128
31129 @table @samp
31130 @item name
31131 The name of the varobj.
31132
31133 @item value
31134 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
31135 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
31136
31137 @item in_scope
31138 @anchor{-var-update}
31139 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
31140
31141 @table @code
31142 @item "true"
31143 The variable object's current value is valid.
31144
31145 @item "false"
31146 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
31147 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
31148 scope.
31149
31150 @item "invalid"
31151 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
31152 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
31153 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
31154 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
31155 objects.
31156 @end table
31157
31158 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
31159 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
31160
31161 @item type_changed
31162 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
31163 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
31164 be @samp{false}.
31165
31166 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
31167 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
31168 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
31169 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
31170 unset.
31171
31172 @item new_type
31173 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
31174 hold the new type.
31175
31176 @item new_num_children
31177 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
31178 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
31179
31180 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
31181 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
31182 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
31183 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
31184 children which may be available.
31185
31186 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
31187 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
31188 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
31189 only happen at the end of the update range).
31190
31191 @item displayhint
31192 The display hint, if any.
31193
31194 @item has_more
31195 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
31196 available outside the varobj's update range.
31197
31198 @item dynamic
31199 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31200 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31201 then this attribute will not be present.
31202
31203 @item new_children
31204 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
31205 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
31206 be listed in this attribute.
31207 @end table
31208
31209 @subsubheading Example
31210
31211 @smallexample
31212 (gdb)
31213 -var-assign var1 3
31214 ^done,value="3"
31215 (gdb)
31216 -var-update --all-values var1
31217 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
31218 type_changed="false"@}]
31219 (gdb)
31220 @end smallexample
31221
31222 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
31223 @findex -var-set-frozen
31224 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
31225
31226 @subsubheading Synopsis
31227
31228 @smallexample
31229 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
31230 @end smallexample
31231
31232 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
31233 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
31234 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
31235 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
31236 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
31237 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
31238 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
31239 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
31240 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
31241 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
31242 @code{-var-update} does.
31243
31244 @subsubheading Example
31245
31246 @smallexample
31247 (gdb)
31248 -var-set-frozen V 1
31249 ^done
31250 (gdb)
31251 @end smallexample
31252
31253 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
31254 @findex -var-set-update-range
31255 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
31256
31257 @subsubheading Synopsis
31258
31259 @smallexample
31260 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
31261 @end smallexample
31262
31263 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
31264 @code{-var-update}.
31265
31266 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
31267 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
31268 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
31269 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
31270
31271 @subsubheading Example
31272
31273 @smallexample
31274 (gdb)
31275 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
31276 ^done
31277 @end smallexample
31278
31279 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
31280 @findex -var-set-visualizer
31281 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
31282
31283 @subsubheading Synopsis
31284
31285 @smallexample
31286 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
31287 @end smallexample
31288
31289 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
31290
31291 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
31292 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
31293
31294 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
31295 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
31296 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
31297 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
31298 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
31299 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
31300 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
31301
31302 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
31303 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
31304 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
31305 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
31306
31307 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
31308 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
31309 can be used to check this.
31310
31311 @subsubheading Example
31312
31313 Resetting the visualizer:
31314
31315 @smallexample
31316 (gdb)
31317 -var-set-visualizer V None
31318 ^done
31319 @end smallexample
31320
31321 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
31322
31323 @smallexample
31324 (gdb)
31325 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
31326 ^done
31327 @end smallexample
31328
31329 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
31330 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
31331
31332 @smallexample
31333 (gdb)
31334 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
31335 ^done
31336 @end smallexample
31337
31338 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31339 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
31340 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
31341
31342 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
31343 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
31344 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
31345 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
31346
31347 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
31348 @c @subheading -data-assign
31349 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
31350 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
31351 @c set variable
31352 @c @subsubheading Example
31353 @c N.A.
31354
31355 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
31356 @findex -data-disassemble
31357
31358 @subsubheading Synopsis
31359
31360 @smallexample
31361 -data-disassemble
31362 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
31363 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
31364 -- @var{mode}
31365 @end smallexample
31366
31367 @noindent
31368 Where:
31369
31370 @table @samp
31371 @item @var{start-addr}
31372 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
31373 @item @var{end-addr}
31374 is the end address
31375 @item @var{filename}
31376 is the name of the file to disassemble
31377 @item @var{linenum}
31378 is the line number to disassemble around
31379 @item @var{lines}
31380 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
31381 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
31382 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
31383 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
31384 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
31385 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
31386 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
31387 are displayed.
31388 @item @var{mode}
31389 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
31390 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
31391 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
31392 @end table
31393
31394 @subsubheading Result
31395
31396 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
31397 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
31398 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
31399
31400 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
31401 following fields:
31402
31403 @table @code
31404 @item address
31405 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
31406
31407 @item func-name
31408 The name of the function this instruction is within.
31409
31410 @item offset
31411 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
31412
31413 @item inst
31414 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
31415
31416 @item opcodes
31417 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
31418 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
31419
31420 @end table
31421
31422 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
31423 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
31424
31425 @table @code
31426 @item line
31427 The line number within @samp{file}.
31428
31429 @item file
31430 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
31431 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
31432 used.
31433
31434 @item fullname
31435 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
31436 using the source file search path
31437 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
31438 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
31439
31440 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
31441 present in the debug information.
31442
31443 @item line_asm_insn
31444 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
31445 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
31446 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
31447 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
31448 @samp{opcodes}.
31449
31450 @end table
31451
31452 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
31453 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
31454 adjust its format.
31455
31456 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31457
31458 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
31459
31460 @subsubheading Example
31461
31462 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
31463
31464 @smallexample
31465 (gdb)
31466 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
31467 ^done,
31468 asm_insns=[
31469 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31470 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31471 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31472 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31473 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
31474 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
31475 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
31476 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31477 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
31478 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
31479 (gdb)
31480 @end smallexample
31481
31482 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
31483 @code{main}.
31484
31485 @smallexample
31486 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
31487 ^done,asm_insns=[
31488 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31489 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31490 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31491 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31492 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31493 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31494 [@dots{}]
31495 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
31496 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
31497 (gdb)
31498 @end smallexample
31499
31500 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
31501
31502 @smallexample
31503 (gdb)
31504 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
31505 ^done,asm_insns=[
31506 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31507 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31508 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31509 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31510 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31511 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
31512 (gdb)
31513 @end smallexample
31514
31515 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
31516
31517 @smallexample
31518 (gdb)
31519 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
31520 ^done,asm_insns=[
31521 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
31522 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31523 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31524 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
31525 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
31526 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
31527 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31528 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31529 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
31530 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31531 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31532 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
31533 (gdb)
31534 @end smallexample
31535
31536
31537 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
31538 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
31539
31540 @subsubheading Synopsis
31541
31542 @smallexample
31543 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
31544 @end smallexample
31545
31546 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
31547 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
31548 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
31549
31550 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31551
31552 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
31553 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
31554 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
31555
31556 @subsubheading Example
31557
31558 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
31559 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
31560 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
31561 output.
31562
31563 @smallexample
31564 211-data-evaluate-expression A
31565 211^done,value="1"
31566 (gdb)
31567 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
31568 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
31569 (gdb)
31570 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
31571 411^done,value="4"
31572 (gdb)
31573 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
31574 511^done,value="4"
31575 (gdb)
31576 @end smallexample
31577
31578
31579 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
31580 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
31581
31582 @subsubheading Synopsis
31583
31584 @smallexample
31585 -data-list-changed-registers
31586 @end smallexample
31587
31588 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
31589
31590 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31591
31592 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
31593 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
31594
31595 @subsubheading Example
31596
31597 On a PPC MBX board:
31598
31599 @smallexample
31600 (gdb)
31601 -exec-continue
31602 ^running
31603
31604 (gdb)
31605 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
31606 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
31607 line="5"@}
31608 (gdb)
31609 -data-list-changed-registers
31610 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
31611 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
31612 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
31613 (gdb)
31614 @end smallexample
31615
31616
31617 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
31618 @findex -data-list-register-names
31619
31620 @subsubheading Synopsis
31621
31622 @smallexample
31623 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
31624 @end smallexample
31625
31626 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
31627 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
31628 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
31629 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
31630 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
31631 include empty register names.
31632
31633 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31634
31635 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
31636 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
31637 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
31638
31639 @subsubheading Example
31640
31641 For the PPC MBX board:
31642 @smallexample
31643 (gdb)
31644 -data-list-register-names
31645 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
31646 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
31647 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
31648 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
31649 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
31650 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
31651 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
31652 (gdb)
31653 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
31654 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
31655 (gdb)
31656 @end smallexample
31657
31658 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
31659 @findex -data-list-register-values
31660
31661 @subsubheading Synopsis
31662
31663 @smallexample
31664 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
31665 @end smallexample
31666
31667 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
31668 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
31669 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
31670 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
31671
31672 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
31673
31674 @table @code
31675 @item x
31676 Hexadecimal
31677 @item o
31678 Octal
31679 @item t
31680 Binary
31681 @item d
31682 Decimal
31683 @item r
31684 Raw
31685 @item N
31686 Natural
31687 @end table
31688
31689 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31690
31691 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
31692 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
31693
31694 @subsubheading Example
31695
31696 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
31697 don't appear in the actual output):
31698
31699 @smallexample
31700 (gdb)
31701 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
31702 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31703 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
31704 (gdb)
31705 -data-list-register-values x
31706 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
31707 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31708 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
31709 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
31710 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
31711 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
31712 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
31713 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
31714 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
31715 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31716 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
31717 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
31718 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
31719 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
31720 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
31721 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
31722 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
31723 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
31724 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
31725 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
31726 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
31727 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
31728 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
31729 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
31730 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
31731 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
31732 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
31733 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
31734 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
31735 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
31736 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
31737 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
31738 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31739 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
31740 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
31741 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
31742 (gdb)
31743 @end smallexample
31744
31745
31746 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
31747 @findex -data-read-memory
31748
31749 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
31750
31751 @subsubheading Synopsis
31752
31753 @smallexample
31754 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31755 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
31756 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
31757 @end smallexample
31758
31759 @noindent
31760 where:
31761
31762 @table @samp
31763 @item @var{address}
31764 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31765 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31766 quoted using the C convention.
31767
31768 @item @var{word-format}
31769 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31770 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31771 ,Output Formats}).
31772
31773 @item @var{word-size}
31774 The size of each memory word in bytes.
31775
31776 @item @var{nr-rows}
31777 The number of rows in the output table.
31778
31779 @item @var{nr-cols}
31780 The number of columns in the output table.
31781
31782 @item @var{aschar}
31783 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31784 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31785 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31786 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31787
31788 @item @var{byte-offset}
31789 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31790 @end table
31791
31792 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31793 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31794 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31795 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31796 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31797 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31798 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31799 @samp{addr}.
31800
31801 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31802 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31803 @samp{prev-page}.
31804
31805 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31806
31807 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31808 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31809
31810 @subsubheading Example
31811
31812 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31813 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31814 word. Display each word in hex.
31815
31816 @smallexample
31817 (gdb)
31818 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31819 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31820 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31821 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31822 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31823 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31824 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31825 (gdb)
31826 @end smallexample
31827
31828 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31829 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31830
31831 @smallexample
31832 (gdb)
31833 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31834 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31835 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31836 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31837 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31838 (gdb)
31839 @end smallexample
31840
31841 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31842 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31843 used as the non-printable character.
31844
31845 @smallexample
31846 (gdb)
31847 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31848 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31849 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31850 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31851 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31852 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31853 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31854 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31855 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31856 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31857 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31858 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31859 (gdb)
31860 @end smallexample
31861
31862 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31863 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31864
31865 @subsubheading Synopsis
31866
31867 @smallexample
31868 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31869 @var{address} @var{count}
31870 @end smallexample
31871
31872 @noindent
31873 where:
31874
31875 @table @samp
31876 @item @var{address}
31877 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31878 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31879 quoted using the C convention.
31880
31881 @item @var{count}
31882 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31883
31884 @item @var{byte-offset}
31885 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31886 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31887 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31888 perform address arithmetics itself.
31889
31890 @end table
31891
31892 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31893 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31894 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31895 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31896 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31897 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31898
31899 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31900 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31901 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31902 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31903 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31904 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31905 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31906 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31907
31908 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31909 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31910 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31911 and has the following fields:
31912
31913 @table @code
31914 @item begin
31915 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31916
31917 @item end
31918 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31919
31920 @item offset
31921 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31922 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31923
31924 @item contents
31925 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31926
31927 @end table
31928
31929
31930
31931 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31932
31933 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31934
31935 @subsubheading Example
31936
31937 @smallexample
31938 (gdb)
31939 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31940 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31941 end="0xbffff15e",
31942 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31943 (gdb)
31944 @end smallexample
31945
31946
31947 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31948 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31949
31950 @subsubheading Synopsis
31951
31952 @smallexample
31953 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31954 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
31955 @end smallexample
31956
31957 @noindent
31958 where:
31959
31960 @table @samp
31961 @item @var{address}
31962 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31963 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31964 quoted using the C convention.
31965
31966 @item @var{contents}
31967 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
31968
31969 @item @var{count}
31970 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
31971 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
31972 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
31973
31974 @end table
31975
31976 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31977
31978 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31979
31980 @subsubheading Example
31981
31982 @smallexample
31983 (gdb)
31984 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31985 ^done
31986 (gdb)
31987 @end smallexample
31988
31989 @smallexample
31990 (gdb)
31991 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
31992 ^done
31993 (gdb)
31994 @end smallexample
31995
31996 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31997 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31998 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31999
32000 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
32001 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
32002
32003 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
32004 @findex -trace-find
32005
32006 @subsubheading Synopsis
32007
32008 @smallexample
32009 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
32010 @end smallexample
32011
32012 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
32013 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
32014 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
32015
32016 @table @samp
32017
32018 @item none
32019 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
32020
32021 @item frame-number
32022 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
32023 that index.
32024
32025 @item tracepoint-number
32026 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
32027 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
32028
32029 @item pc
32030 An address is required as parameter. Finds
32031 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
32032 address.
32033
32034 @item pc-inside-range
32035 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
32036 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
32037 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32038
32039 @item pc-outside-range
32040 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
32041 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
32042 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32043
32044 @item line
32045 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
32046 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
32047 the specified location.
32048
32049 @end table
32050
32051 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
32052 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
32053
32054 @table @samp
32055 @item found
32056 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
32057 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
32058
32059 @item traceframe
32060 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
32061 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32062
32063 @item tracepoint
32064 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
32065 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32066
32067 @item frame
32068 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
32069 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
32070 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
32071
32072 @end table
32073
32074 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32075
32076 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
32077
32078 @subheading -trace-define-variable
32079 @findex -trace-define-variable
32080
32081 @subsubheading Synopsis
32082
32083 @smallexample
32084 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
32085 @end smallexample
32086
32087 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
32088 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
32089 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
32090 with the @samp{$} character.
32091
32092 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32093
32094 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
32095
32096 @subheading -trace-list-variables
32097 @findex -trace-list-variables
32098
32099 @subsubheading Synopsis
32100
32101 @smallexample
32102 -trace-list-variables
32103 @end smallexample
32104
32105 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
32106 table has the following fields:
32107
32108 @table @samp
32109 @item name
32110 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
32111
32112 @item initial
32113 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
32114 field is always present.
32115
32116 @item current
32117 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
32118 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
32119 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
32120 presently running.
32121
32122 @end table
32123
32124 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32125
32126 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
32127
32128 @subsubheading Example
32129
32130 @smallexample
32131 (gdb)
32132 -trace-list-variables
32133 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
32134 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
32135 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
32136 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
32137 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
32138 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
32139 (gdb)
32140 @end smallexample
32141
32142 @subheading -trace-save
32143 @findex -trace-save
32144
32145 @subsubheading Synopsis
32146
32147 @smallexample
32148 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
32149 @end smallexample
32150
32151 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
32152 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
32153 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
32154 to perform the save.
32155
32156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32157
32158 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
32159
32160
32161 @subheading -trace-start
32162 @findex -trace-start
32163
32164 @subsubheading Synopsis
32165
32166 @smallexample
32167 -trace-start
32168 @end smallexample
32169
32170 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
32171 have any fields.
32172
32173 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32174
32175 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
32176
32177 @subheading -trace-status
32178 @findex -trace-status
32179
32180 @subsubheading Synopsis
32181
32182 @smallexample
32183 -trace-status
32184 @end smallexample
32185
32186 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
32187 the following fields:
32188
32189 @table @samp
32190
32191 @item supported
32192 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
32193 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
32194 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
32195 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
32196 started. This field is always present.
32197
32198 @item running
32199 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
32200 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
32201 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32202
32203 @item stop-reason
32204 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
32205 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
32206 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
32207 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
32208 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
32209 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
32210 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
32211 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
32212 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32213
32214 @item stopping-tracepoint
32215 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
32216 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
32217 @samp{passcount}.
32218
32219 @item frames
32220 @itemx frames-created
32221 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
32222 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
32223 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
32224 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
32225
32226 @item buffer-size
32227 @itemx buffer-free
32228 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
32229 remaining space. These fields are optional.
32230
32231 @item circular
32232 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32233 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32234 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32235 and may fill up.
32236
32237 @item disconnected
32238 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32239 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32240 that the trace run will stop.
32241
32242 @item trace-file
32243 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
32244 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
32245
32246 @end table
32247
32248 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32249
32250 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
32251
32252 @subheading -trace-stop
32253 @findex -trace-stop
32254
32255 @subsubheading Synopsis
32256
32257 @smallexample
32258 -trace-stop
32259 @end smallexample
32260
32261 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
32262 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
32263 @samp{running} fields are not output.
32264
32265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32266
32267 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
32268
32269
32270 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32271 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
32272 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
32273
32274
32275 @ignore
32276 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
32277 @findex -symbol-info-address
32278
32279 @subsubheading Synopsis
32280
32281 @smallexample
32282 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
32283 @end smallexample
32284
32285 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
32286
32287 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32288
32289 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
32290
32291 @subsubheading Example
32292 N.A.
32293
32294
32295 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
32296 @findex -symbol-info-file
32297
32298 @subsubheading Synopsis
32299
32300 @smallexample
32301 -symbol-info-file
32302 @end smallexample
32303
32304 Show the file for the symbol.
32305
32306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32307
32308 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
32309 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
32310
32311 @subsubheading Example
32312 N.A.
32313
32314
32315 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
32316 @findex -symbol-info-function
32317
32318 @subsubheading Synopsis
32319
32320 @smallexample
32321 -symbol-info-function
32322 @end smallexample
32323
32324 Show which function the symbol lives in.
32325
32326 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32327
32328 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
32329
32330 @subsubheading Example
32331 N.A.
32332
32333
32334 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
32335 @findex -symbol-info-line
32336
32337 @subsubheading Synopsis
32338
32339 @smallexample
32340 -symbol-info-line
32341 @end smallexample
32342
32343 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
32344
32345 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32346
32347 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
32348 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
32349
32350 @subsubheading Example
32351 N.A.
32352
32353
32354 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
32355 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
32356
32357 @subsubheading Synopsis
32358
32359 @smallexample
32360 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
32361 @end smallexample
32362
32363 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
32364
32365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32366
32367 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
32368
32369 @subsubheading Example
32370 N.A.
32371
32372
32373 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
32374 @findex -symbol-list-functions
32375
32376 @subsubheading Synopsis
32377
32378 @smallexample
32379 -symbol-list-functions
32380 @end smallexample
32381
32382 List the functions in the executable.
32383
32384 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32385
32386 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
32387 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32388
32389 @subsubheading Example
32390 N.A.
32391 @end ignore
32392
32393
32394 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
32395 @findex -symbol-list-lines
32396
32397 @subsubheading Synopsis
32398
32399 @smallexample
32400 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
32401 @end smallexample
32402
32403 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
32404 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
32405 ascending PC order.
32406
32407 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32408
32409 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32410
32411 @subsubheading Example
32412 @smallexample
32413 (gdb)
32414 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
32415 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
32416 (gdb)
32417 @end smallexample
32418
32419
32420 @ignore
32421 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
32422 @findex -symbol-list-types
32423
32424 @subsubheading Synopsis
32425
32426 @smallexample
32427 -symbol-list-types
32428 @end smallexample
32429
32430 List all the type names.
32431
32432 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32433
32434 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
32435 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32436
32437 @subsubheading Example
32438 N.A.
32439
32440
32441 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
32442 @findex -symbol-list-variables
32443
32444 @subsubheading Synopsis
32445
32446 @smallexample
32447 -symbol-list-variables
32448 @end smallexample
32449
32450 List all the global and static variable names.
32451
32452 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32453
32454 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32455
32456 @subsubheading Example
32457 N.A.
32458
32459
32460 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
32461 @findex -symbol-locate
32462
32463 @subsubheading Synopsis
32464
32465 @smallexample
32466 -symbol-locate
32467 @end smallexample
32468
32469 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32470
32471 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
32472
32473 @subsubheading Example
32474 N.A.
32475
32476
32477 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
32478 @findex -symbol-type
32479
32480 @subsubheading Synopsis
32481
32482 @smallexample
32483 -symbol-type @var{variable}
32484 @end smallexample
32485
32486 Show type of @var{variable}.
32487
32488 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32489
32490 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
32491 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
32492
32493 @subsubheading Example
32494 N.A.
32495 @end ignore
32496
32497
32498 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32499 @node GDB/MI File Commands
32500 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
32501
32502 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
32503 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
32504
32505 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
32506 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
32507
32508 @subsubheading Synopsis
32509
32510 @smallexample
32511 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
32512 @end smallexample
32513
32514 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
32515 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
32516 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
32517 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
32518 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
32519 notification.
32520
32521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32522
32523 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
32524
32525 @subsubheading Example
32526
32527 @smallexample
32528 (gdb)
32529 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32530 ^done
32531 (gdb)
32532 @end smallexample
32533
32534
32535 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
32536 @findex -file-exec-file
32537
32538 @subsubheading Synopsis
32539
32540 @smallexample
32541 -file-exec-file @var{file}
32542 @end smallexample
32543
32544 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
32545 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
32546 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
32547 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
32548 notification.
32549
32550 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32551
32552 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
32553
32554 @subsubheading Example
32555
32556 @smallexample
32557 (gdb)
32558 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32559 ^done
32560 (gdb)
32561 @end smallexample
32562
32563
32564 @ignore
32565 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
32566 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
32567
32568 @subsubheading Synopsis
32569
32570 @smallexample
32571 -file-list-exec-sections
32572 @end smallexample
32573
32574 List the sections of the current executable file.
32575
32576 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32577
32578 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
32579 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
32580 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
32581
32582 @subsubheading Example
32583 N.A.
32584 @end ignore
32585
32586
32587 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
32588 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
32589
32590 @subsubheading Synopsis
32591
32592 @smallexample
32593 -file-list-exec-source-file
32594 @end smallexample
32595
32596 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
32597 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
32598 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
32599 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
32600
32601 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32602
32603 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
32604
32605 @subsubheading Example
32606
32607 @smallexample
32608 (gdb)
32609 123-file-list-exec-source-file
32610 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
32611 (gdb)
32612 @end smallexample
32613
32614
32615 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
32616 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
32617
32618 @subsubheading Synopsis
32619
32620 @smallexample
32621 -file-list-exec-source-files
32622 @end smallexample
32623
32624 List the source files for the current executable.
32625
32626 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
32627 name) of a source file.
32628
32629 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32630
32631 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
32632 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
32633
32634 @subsubheading Example
32635 @smallexample
32636 (gdb)
32637 -file-list-exec-source-files
32638 ^done,files=[
32639 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
32640 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
32641 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
32642 (gdb)
32643 @end smallexample
32644
32645 @ignore
32646 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
32647 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
32648
32649 @subsubheading Synopsis
32650
32651 @smallexample
32652 -file-list-shared-libraries
32653 @end smallexample
32654
32655 List the shared libraries in the program.
32656
32657 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32658
32659 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
32660
32661 @subsubheading Example
32662 N.A.
32663
32664
32665 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
32666 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
32667
32668 @subsubheading Synopsis
32669
32670 @smallexample
32671 -file-list-symbol-files
32672 @end smallexample
32673
32674 List symbol files.
32675
32676 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32677
32678 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
32679
32680 @subsubheading Example
32681 N.A.
32682 @end ignore
32683
32684
32685 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
32686 @findex -file-symbol-file
32687
32688 @subsubheading Synopsis
32689
32690 @smallexample
32691 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
32692 @end smallexample
32693
32694 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
32695 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
32696 produced, except for a completion notification.
32697
32698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32699
32700 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
32701
32702 @subsubheading Example
32703
32704 @smallexample
32705 (gdb)
32706 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32707 ^done
32708 (gdb)
32709 @end smallexample
32710
32711 @ignore
32712 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32713 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
32714 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
32715
32716 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
32717
32718 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
32719
32720 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
32721
32722 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
32723
32724 @c @subheading -overlay-map
32725
32726 @c @subheading -overlay-off
32727
32728 @c @subheading -overlay-on
32729
32730 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
32731
32732 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32733 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
32734 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
32735
32736 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
32737
32738 @c @subheading -signal-handle
32739
32740 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
32741
32742 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
32743 @end ignore
32744
32745
32746 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32747 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
32748 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
32749
32750
32751 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
32752 @findex -target-attach
32753
32754 @subsubheading Synopsis
32755
32756 @smallexample
32757 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
32758 @end smallexample
32759
32760 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
32761 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
32762 group, the id previously returned by
32763 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
32764
32765 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32766
32767 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
32768
32769 @subsubheading Example
32770 @smallexample
32771 (gdb)
32772 -target-attach 34
32773 =thread-created,id="1"
32774 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
32775 ^done
32776 (gdb)
32777 @end smallexample
32778
32779 @ignore
32780 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
32781 @findex -target-compare-sections
32782
32783 @subsubheading Synopsis
32784
32785 @smallexample
32786 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32787 @end smallexample
32788
32789 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32790 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32791
32792 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32793
32794 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32795
32796 @subsubheading Example
32797 N.A.
32798 @end ignore
32799
32800
32801 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32802 @findex -target-detach
32803
32804 @subsubheading Synopsis
32805
32806 @smallexample
32807 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32808 @end smallexample
32809
32810 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32811 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32812 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32813
32814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32815
32816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32817
32818 @subsubheading Example
32819
32820 @smallexample
32821 (gdb)
32822 -target-detach
32823 ^done
32824 (gdb)
32825 @end smallexample
32826
32827
32828 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32829 @findex -target-disconnect
32830
32831 @subsubheading Synopsis
32832
32833 @smallexample
32834 -target-disconnect
32835 @end smallexample
32836
32837 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32838 generally not resumed.
32839
32840 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32841
32842 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32843
32844 @subsubheading Example
32845
32846 @smallexample
32847 (gdb)
32848 -target-disconnect
32849 ^done
32850 (gdb)
32851 @end smallexample
32852
32853
32854 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32855 @findex -target-download
32856
32857 @subsubheading Synopsis
32858
32859 @smallexample
32860 -target-download
32861 @end smallexample
32862
32863 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32864 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32865
32866 @table @samp
32867 @item section
32868 The name of the section.
32869 @item section-sent
32870 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32871 @item section-size
32872 The size of the section.
32873 @item total-sent
32874 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32875 @item total-size
32876 The size of the overall executable to download.
32877 @end table
32878
32879 @noindent
32880 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32881 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32882
32883 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32884 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32885
32886 @table @samp
32887 @item section
32888 The name of the section.
32889 @item section-size
32890 The size of the section.
32891 @item total-size
32892 The size of the overall executable to download.
32893 @end table
32894
32895 @noindent
32896 At the end, a summary is printed.
32897
32898 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32899
32900 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32901
32902 @subsubheading Example
32903
32904 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32905 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32906
32907 @smallexample
32908 (gdb)
32909 -target-download
32910 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32911 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32912 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32913 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32914 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32915 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32916 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32917 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32918 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32919 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32920 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32921 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32922 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32923 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32924 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32925 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32926 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32927 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32928 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32929 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32930 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32931 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32932 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32933 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32934 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32935 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32936 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32937 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32938 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32939 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32940 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32941 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32942 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32943 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32944 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32945 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32946 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32947 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32948 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32949 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32950 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32951 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32952 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32953 write-rate="429"
32954 (gdb)
32955 @end smallexample
32956
32957
32958 @ignore
32959 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32960 @findex -target-exec-status
32961
32962 @subsubheading Synopsis
32963
32964 @smallexample
32965 -target-exec-status
32966 @end smallexample
32967
32968 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32969 not, for instance).
32970
32971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32972
32973 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32974
32975 @subsubheading Example
32976 N.A.
32977
32978
32979 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32980 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32981
32982 @subsubheading Synopsis
32983
32984 @smallexample
32985 -target-list-available-targets
32986 @end smallexample
32987
32988 List the possible targets to connect to.
32989
32990 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32991
32992 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32993
32994 @subsubheading Example
32995 N.A.
32996
32997
32998 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32999 @findex -target-list-current-targets
33000
33001 @subsubheading Synopsis
33002
33003 @smallexample
33004 -target-list-current-targets
33005 @end smallexample
33006
33007 Describe the current target.
33008
33009 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33010
33011 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
33012 other things).
33013
33014 @subsubheading Example
33015 N.A.
33016
33017
33018 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
33019 @findex -target-list-parameters
33020
33021 @subsubheading Synopsis
33022
33023 @smallexample
33024 -target-list-parameters
33025 @end smallexample
33026
33027 @c ????
33028 @end ignore
33029
33030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33031
33032 No equivalent.
33033
33034 @subsubheading Example
33035 N.A.
33036
33037
33038 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
33039 @findex -target-select
33040
33041 @subsubheading Synopsis
33042
33043 @smallexample
33044 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
33045 @end smallexample
33046
33047 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
33048
33049 @table @samp
33050 @item @var{type}
33051 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
33052 @item @var{parameters}
33053 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
33054 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
33055 @end table
33056
33057 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
33058 which the target program is, in the following form:
33059
33060 @smallexample
33061 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
33062 args=[@var{arg list}]
33063 @end smallexample
33064
33065 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33066
33067 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
33068
33069 @subsubheading Example
33070
33071 @smallexample
33072 (gdb)
33073 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
33074 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
33075 (gdb)
33076 @end smallexample
33077
33078 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33079 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
33080 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
33081
33082
33083 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
33084 @findex -target-file-put
33085
33086 @subsubheading Synopsis
33087
33088 @smallexample
33089 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
33090 @end smallexample
33091
33092 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
33093 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
33094
33095 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33096
33097 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
33098
33099 @subsubheading Example
33100
33101 @smallexample
33102 (gdb)
33103 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
33104 ^done
33105 (gdb)
33106 @end smallexample
33107
33108
33109 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
33110 @findex -target-file-get
33111
33112 @subsubheading Synopsis
33113
33114 @smallexample
33115 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
33116 @end smallexample
33117
33118 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
33119 on the host system.
33120
33121 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33122
33123 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
33124
33125 @subsubheading Example
33126
33127 @smallexample
33128 (gdb)
33129 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
33130 ^done
33131 (gdb)
33132 @end smallexample
33133
33134
33135 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
33136 @findex -target-file-delete
33137
33138 @subsubheading Synopsis
33139
33140 @smallexample
33141 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
33142 @end smallexample
33143
33144 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
33145
33146 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33147
33148 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
33149
33150 @subsubheading Example
33151
33152 @smallexample
33153 (gdb)
33154 -target-file-delete remotefile
33155 ^done
33156 (gdb)
33157 @end smallexample
33158
33159
33160 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33161 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
33162 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
33163
33164 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
33165
33166 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
33167 @findex -gdb-exit
33168
33169 @subsubheading Synopsis
33170
33171 @smallexample
33172 -gdb-exit
33173 @end smallexample
33174
33175 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
33176
33177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33178
33179 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
33180
33181 @subsubheading Example
33182
33183 @smallexample
33184 (gdb)
33185 -gdb-exit
33186 ^exit
33187 @end smallexample
33188
33189
33190 @ignore
33191 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
33192 @findex -exec-abort
33193
33194 @subsubheading Synopsis
33195
33196 @smallexample
33197 -exec-abort
33198 @end smallexample
33199
33200 Kill the inferior running program.
33201
33202 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33203
33204 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
33205
33206 @subsubheading Example
33207 N.A.
33208 @end ignore
33209
33210
33211 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
33212 @findex -gdb-set
33213
33214 @subsubheading Synopsis
33215
33216 @smallexample
33217 -gdb-set
33218 @end smallexample
33219
33220 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
33221 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
33222
33223 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33224
33225 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
33226
33227 @subsubheading Example
33228
33229 @smallexample
33230 (gdb)
33231 -gdb-set $foo=3
33232 ^done
33233 (gdb)
33234 @end smallexample
33235
33236
33237 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
33238 @findex -gdb-show
33239
33240 @subsubheading Synopsis
33241
33242 @smallexample
33243 -gdb-show
33244 @end smallexample
33245
33246 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
33247
33248 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33249
33250 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
33251
33252 @subsubheading Example
33253
33254 @smallexample
33255 (gdb)
33256 -gdb-show annotate
33257 ^done,value="0"
33258 (gdb)
33259 @end smallexample
33260
33261 @c @subheading -gdb-source
33262
33263
33264 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
33265 @findex -gdb-version
33266
33267 @subsubheading Synopsis
33268
33269 @smallexample
33270 -gdb-version
33271 @end smallexample
33272
33273 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
33274
33275 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33276
33277 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
33278 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
33279
33280 @subsubheading Example
33281
33282 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
33283 @c box in TeX.
33284 @smallexample
33285 (gdb)
33286 -gdb-version
33287 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
33288 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33289 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
33290 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
33291 ~ certain conditions.
33292 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33293 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
33294 ~ details.
33295 ~This GDB was configured as
33296 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
33297 ^done
33298 (gdb)
33299 @end smallexample
33300
33301 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
33302 @findex -list-features
33303
33304 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
33305 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
33306 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
33307 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
33308 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
33309 startup.
33310
33311 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
33312 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
33313 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
33314 is given below.
33315
33316 Example output:
33317
33318 @smallexample
33319 (gdb) -list-features
33320 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
33321 @end smallexample
33322
33323 The current list of features is:
33324
33325 @table @samp
33326 @item frozen-varobjs
33327 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
33328 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
33329 of @code{-varobj-create}.
33330 @item pending-breakpoints
33331 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
33332 command.
33333 @item python
33334 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
33335 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
33336 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
33337 @item thread-info
33338 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
33339 @item data-read-memory-bytes
33340 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
33341 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
33342 @item breakpoint-notifications
33343 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
33344 CLI will be announced via async records.
33345 @item ada-task-info
33346 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
33347 @end table
33348
33349 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
33350 @findex -list-target-features
33351
33352 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
33353 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
33354 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
33355 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
33356 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
33357 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
33358 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
33359 Example output:
33360
33361 @smallexample
33362 (gdb) -list-features
33363 ^done,result=["async"]
33364 @end smallexample
33365
33366 The current list of features is:
33367
33368 @table @samp
33369 @item async
33370 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
33371 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
33372 while the target is running.
33373
33374 @item reverse
33375 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
33376 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33377
33378 @end table
33379
33380 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
33381 @findex -list-thread-groups
33382
33383 @subheading Synopsis
33384
33385 @smallexample
33386 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
33387 @end smallexample
33388
33389 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
33390 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
33391 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
33392 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
33393 top-level thread groups.
33394
33395 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
33396 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
33397 available on the target.
33398
33399 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
33400 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
33401 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
33402 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
33403 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
33404 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
33405 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
33406 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
33407
33408 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
33409 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
33410 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
33411 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
33412 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
33413 @samp{threads} field.
33414
33415 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
33416 the following caveats:
33417
33418 @itemize @bullet
33419 @item
33420 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
33421 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
33422 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
33423
33424 @item
33425 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
33426 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
33427 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
33428 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
33429 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
33430 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
33431
33432 @end itemize
33433
33434 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
33435 have the following fields:
33436
33437 @table @code
33438 @item id
33439 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
33440 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
33441 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
33442
33443 @item type
33444 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
33445 valid type.
33446
33447 @item pid
33448 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
33449 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
33450
33451 @item num_children
33452 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
33453 absent for an available thread group.
33454
33455 @item threads
33456 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
33457 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
33458 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
33459
33460 @item cores
33461 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
33462 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
33463 such information is not available.
33464
33465 @item executable
33466 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
33467 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
33468 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
33469
33470 @end table
33471
33472 @subheading Example
33473
33474 @smallexample
33475 @value{GDBP}
33476 -list-thread-groups
33477 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
33478 -list-thread-groups 17
33479 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
33480 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
33481 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
33482 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
33483 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
33484 -list-thread-groups --available
33485 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
33486 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
33487 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33488 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33489 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
33490 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
33491 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33492 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33493 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
33494 @end smallexample
33495
33496 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
33497 @findex -info-os
33498
33499 @subsubheading Synopsis
33500
33501 @smallexample
33502 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
33503 @end smallexample
33504
33505 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
33506 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
33507 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
33508 of data of that type.
33509
33510 The types of information available depend on the target operating
33511 system.
33512
33513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33514
33515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
33516
33517 @subsubheading Example
33518
33519 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
33520 like this:
33521
33522 @smallexample
33523 @value{GDBP}
33524 -info-os
33525 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
33526 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
33527 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
33528 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
33529 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
33530 col2="Processes"@},
33531 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
33532 col2="Process groups"@},
33533 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
33534 col2="Threads"@},
33535 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
33536 col2="File descriptors"@},
33537 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
33538 col2="Sockets"@},
33539 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
33540 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
33541 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
33542 col2="Semaphores"@},
33543 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
33544 col2="Message queues"@},
33545 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
33546 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
33547 @value{GDBP}
33548 -info-os processes
33549 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
33550 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
33551 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
33552 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
33553 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
33554 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
33555 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
33556 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
33557 ...
33558 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
33559 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
33560 (gdb)
33561 @end smallexample
33562
33563 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
33564 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
33565 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
33566 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
33567 @code{info os} omits it.)
33568
33569 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
33570 @findex -add-inferior
33571
33572 @subheading Synopsis
33573
33574 @smallexample
33575 -add-inferior
33576 @end smallexample
33577
33578 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
33579 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
33580 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
33581 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
33582 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
33583 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
33584
33585 @subheading Example
33586
33587 @smallexample
33588 @value{GDBP}
33589 -add-inferior
33590 ^done,thread-group="i3"
33591 @end smallexample
33592
33593 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
33594 @findex -interpreter-exec
33595
33596 @subheading Synopsis
33597
33598 @smallexample
33599 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
33600 @end smallexample
33601 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
33602
33603 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
33604
33605 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33606
33607 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
33608
33609 @subheading Example
33610
33611 @smallexample
33612 (gdb)
33613 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
33614 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
33615 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
33616 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
33617 ^done
33618 (gdb)
33619 @end smallexample
33620
33621 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
33622 @findex -inferior-tty-set
33623
33624 @subheading Synopsis
33625
33626 @smallexample
33627 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33628 @end smallexample
33629
33630 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
33631
33632 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33633
33634 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
33635
33636 @subheading Example
33637
33638 @smallexample
33639 (gdb)
33640 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33641 ^done
33642 (gdb)
33643 @end smallexample
33644
33645 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
33646 @findex -inferior-tty-show
33647
33648 @subheading Synopsis
33649
33650 @smallexample
33651 -inferior-tty-show
33652 @end smallexample
33653
33654 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
33655
33656 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33657
33658 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
33659
33660 @subheading Example
33661
33662 @smallexample
33663 (gdb)
33664 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33665 ^done
33666 (gdb)
33667 -inferior-tty-show
33668 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
33669 (gdb)
33670 @end smallexample
33671
33672 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
33673 @findex -enable-timings
33674
33675 @subheading Synopsis
33676
33677 @smallexample
33678 -enable-timings [yes | no]
33679 @end smallexample
33680
33681 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
33682 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
33683 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
33684 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
33685
33686 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33687
33688 No equivalent.
33689
33690 @subheading Example
33691
33692 @smallexample
33693 (gdb)
33694 -enable-timings
33695 ^done
33696 (gdb)
33697 -break-insert main
33698 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
33699 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
33700 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
33701 times="0"@},
33702 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
33703 (gdb)
33704 -enable-timings no
33705 ^done
33706 (gdb)
33707 -exec-run
33708 ^running
33709 (gdb)
33710 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
33711 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
33712 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
33713 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
33714 (gdb)
33715 @end smallexample
33716
33717 @node Annotations
33718 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
33719
33720 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
33721 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
33722 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
33723 relatively high level.
33724
33725 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
33726 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
33727
33728 @ignore
33729 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
33730 @end ignore
33731
33732 @menu
33733 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
33734 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
33735 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
33736 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
33737 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
33738 * Annotations for Running::
33739 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
33740 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
33741 @end menu
33742
33743 @node Annotations Overview
33744 @section What is an Annotation?
33745 @cindex annotations
33746
33747 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
33748 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
33749 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
33750 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
33751 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
33752 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
33753 cannot contain newline characters.
33754
33755 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
33756 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
33757 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
33758 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
33759 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
33760 means those three characters as output.
33761
33762 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
33763 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
33764 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
33765 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
33766 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
33767 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
33768 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
33769 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
33770 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
33771
33772 @table @code
33773 @kindex set annotate
33774 @item set annotate @var{level}
33775 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
33776 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
33777
33778 @item show annotate
33779 @kindex show annotate
33780 Show the current annotation level.
33781 @end table
33782
33783 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
33784
33785 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
33786
33787 @smallexample
33788 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
33789 GNU gdb 6.0
33790 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33791 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
33792 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
33793 under certain conditions.
33794 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33795 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33796 for details.
33797 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33798
33799 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33800 (@value{GDBP})
33801 ^Z^Zprompt
33802 @kbd{quit}
33803
33804 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33805 $
33806 @end smallexample
33807
33808 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33809 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33810 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33811 output from @value{GDBN}.
33812
33813 @node Server Prefix
33814 @section The Server Prefix
33815 @cindex server prefix
33816
33817 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33818 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33819 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33820 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33821 a transparent manner.
33822
33823 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33824 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33825 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33826 @code{print} command.
33827
33828 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33829 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33830
33831 @node Prompting
33832 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33833
33834 @cindex annotations for prompts
33835 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33836 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33837 over, etc.
33838
33839 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33840 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33841 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33842 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33843 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33844 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33845 features the following annotations:
33846
33847 @smallexample
33848 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33849 ^Z^Zprompt
33850 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33851 @end smallexample
33852
33853 The input types are
33854
33855 @table @code
33856 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33857 @findex prompt annotation
33858 @findex post-prompt annotation
33859 @item prompt
33860 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33861
33862 @findex pre-commands annotation
33863 @findex commands annotation
33864 @findex post-commands annotation
33865 @item commands
33866 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33867 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33868
33869 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33870 @findex overload-choice annotation
33871 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33872 @item overload-choice
33873 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33874
33875 @findex pre-query annotation
33876 @findex query annotation
33877 @findex post-query annotation
33878 @item query
33879 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33880
33881 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33882 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33883 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33884 @item prompt-for-continue
33885 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33886 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33887 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33888 presence of annotations.
33889 @end table
33890
33891 @node Errors
33892 @section Errors
33893 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33894
33895 @findex quit annotation
33896 @smallexample
33897 ^Z^Zquit
33898 @end smallexample
33899
33900 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33901
33902 @findex error annotation
33903 @smallexample
33904 ^Z^Zerror
33905 @end smallexample
33906
33907 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33908
33909 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33910 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33911 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33912 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33913 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33914 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33915 to the top level.
33916
33917 @findex error-begin annotation
33918 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33919
33920 @smallexample
33921 ^Z^Zerror-begin
33922 @end smallexample
33923
33924 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33925 message.
33926
33927 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33928 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33929 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33930
33931 @node Invalidation
33932 @section Invalidation Notices
33933
33934 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33935 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33936 changed.
33937
33938 @table @code
33939 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33940 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33941
33942 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33943 have changed.
33944
33945 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33946 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33947
33948 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33949 deleted a breakpoint.
33950 @end table
33951
33952 @node Annotations for Running
33953 @section Running the Program
33954 @cindex annotations for running programs
33955
33956 @findex starting annotation
33957 @findex stopping annotation
33958 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33959 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33960
33961 @smallexample
33962 ^Z^Zstarting
33963 @end smallexample
33964
33965 is output. When the program stops,
33966
33967 @smallexample
33968 ^Z^Zstopped
33969 @end smallexample
33970
33971 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33972 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33973
33974 @table @code
33975 @findex exited annotation
33976 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33977 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33978 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33979
33980 @findex signalled annotation
33981 @findex signal-name annotation
33982 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33983 @findex signal-string annotation
33984 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33985 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33986 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33987 annotation continues:
33988
33989 @smallexample
33990 @var{intro-text}
33991 ^Z^Zsignal-name
33992 @var{name}
33993 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33994 @var{middle-text}
33995 ^Z^Zsignal-string
33996 @var{string}
33997 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33998 @var{end-text}
33999 @end smallexample
34000
34001 @noindent
34002 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
34003 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
34004 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
34005 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
34006 user's benefit and have no particular format.
34007
34008 @findex signal annotation
34009 @item ^Z^Zsignal
34010 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
34011 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
34012 terminated with it.
34013
34014 @findex breakpoint annotation
34015 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
34016 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
34017
34018 @findex watchpoint annotation
34019 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
34020 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
34021 @end table
34022
34023 @node Source Annotations
34024 @section Displaying Source
34025 @cindex annotations for source display
34026
34027 @findex source annotation
34028 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
34029
34030 @smallexample
34031 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
34032 @end smallexample
34033
34034 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
34035 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
34036 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
34037 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
34038 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
34039 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
34040 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
34041 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
34042 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
34043 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
34044 depend on the language).
34045
34046 @node JIT Interface
34047 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
34048 @cindex just-in-time compilation
34049 @cindex JIT compilation interface
34050
34051 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
34052 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
34053 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
34054 performance while maintaining platform independence.
34055
34056 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
34057 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
34058 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
34059 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
34060 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
34061 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
34062
34063 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
34064 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
34065 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
34066 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
34067 LLVM JIT.
34068
34069 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
34070 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
34071 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
34072 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
34073 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
34074 out about additional code.
34075
34076 @menu
34077 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
34078 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
34079 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
34080 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
34081 @end menu
34082
34083 @node Declarations
34084 @section JIT Declarations
34085
34086 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
34087 implement the interface:
34088
34089 @smallexample
34090 typedef enum
34091 @{
34092 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
34093 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
34094 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
34095 @} jit_actions_t;
34096
34097 struct jit_code_entry
34098 @{
34099 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
34100 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
34101 const char *symfile_addr;
34102 uint64_t symfile_size;
34103 @};
34104
34105 struct jit_descriptor
34106 @{
34107 uint32_t version;
34108 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
34109 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
34110 uint32_t action_flag;
34111 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
34112 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
34113 @};
34114
34115 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
34116 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
34117
34118 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
34119 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
34120 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
34121 @end smallexample
34122
34123 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
34124 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
34125 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
34126
34127 @node Registering Code
34128 @section Registering Code
34129
34130 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
34131
34132 @itemize @bullet
34133 @item
34134 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
34135 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
34136
34137 @item
34138 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
34139 file.
34140
34141 @item
34142 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
34143
34144 @item
34145 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
34146
34147 @item
34148 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
34149 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34150 @end itemize
34151
34152 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
34153 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
34154 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
34155 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
34156
34157 @node Unregistering Code
34158 @section Unregistering Code
34159
34160 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
34161
34162 @itemize @bullet
34163 @item
34164 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
34165
34166 @item
34167 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
34168
34169 @item
34170 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
34171 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34172 @end itemize
34173
34174 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
34175 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
34176
34177 @node Custom Debug Info
34178 @section Custom Debug Info
34179 @cindex custom JIT debug info
34180 @cindex JIT debug info reader
34181
34182 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
34183 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
34184 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
34185 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
34186 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
34187 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
34188 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
34189 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
34190 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
34191
34192 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
34193 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
34194 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
34195 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
34196 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
34197 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
34198 compiler.
34199
34200 @menu
34201 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
34202 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
34203 @end menu
34204
34205 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34206 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34207 @kindex jit-reader-load
34208 @kindex jit-reader-unload
34209
34210 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
34211 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
34212
34213 @table @code
34214 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
34215 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
34216 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
34217 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
34218 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
34219 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
34220 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
34221
34222 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
34223 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
34224 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
34225 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
34226 @code{jit-reader-load}.
34227
34228 @item jit-reader-unload
34229 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
34230
34231 @end table
34232
34233 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34234 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34235 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
34236
34237 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
34238 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
34239
34240 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
34241 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
34242 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
34243 the system include directory.
34244
34245 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
34246 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
34247 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
34248
34249 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
34250 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
34251
34252 @findex gdb_init_reader
34253 @smallexample
34254 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
34255 @end smallexample
34256
34257 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
34258
34259 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
34260 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
34261 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
34262 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
34263 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
34264 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
34265
34266 @smallexample
34267 struct gdb_reader_funcs
34268 @{
34269 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
34270 int reader_version;
34271
34272 /* For use by the reader. */
34273 void *priv_data;
34274
34275 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
34276 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
34277 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
34278 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
34279 @};
34280 @end smallexample
34281
34282 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
34283 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
34284
34285 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
34286 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
34287 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
34288 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
34289 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
34290 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
34291 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
34292 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
34293 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
34294 target's address space.
34295
34296 @node In-Process Agent
34297 @chapter In-Process Agent
34298 @cindex debugging agent
34299 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
34300 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
34301 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
34302 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
34303 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
34304 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
34305 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
34306 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
34307 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
34308 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
34309 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
34310 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
34311 behavior without interrupting it.
34312
34313 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
34314 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
34315 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
34316 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
34317 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
34318 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
34319 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
34320 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
34321 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
34322
34323 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
34324 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
34325 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
34326 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
34327
34328 @anchor{Control Agent}
34329 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
34330 debugging with the following commands:
34331
34332 @table @code
34333 @kindex set agent on
34334 @item set agent on
34335 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
34336 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
34337 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
34338 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
34339 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
34340 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
34341
34342 @kindex set agent off
34343 @item set agent off
34344 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
34345 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
34346
34347 @kindex show agent
34348 @item show agent
34349 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
34350 the in-process agent.
34351 @end table
34352
34353 @menu
34354 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
34355 @end menu
34356
34357 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
34358 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
34359 @cindex in-process agent protocol
34360
34361 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
34362 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
34363 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
34364 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
34365 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
34366 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
34367 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
34368 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
34369 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
34370
34371 @menu
34372 * IPA Protocol Objects::
34373 * IPA Protocol Commands::
34374 @end menu
34375
34376 @node IPA Protocol Objects
34377 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
34378 @cindex ipa protocol objects
34379
34380 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
34381 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
34382
34383 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
34384 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
34385 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
34386 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
34387
34388 @enumerate
34389 @item
34390 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
34391 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
34392 @item
34393 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
34394 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
34395 the other one.
34396 @end enumerate
34397
34398 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
34399
34400 @enumerate
34401 @item
34402 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
34403 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
34404 @anchor{agent expression object}
34405 @item
34406 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
34407 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
34408 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
34409 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
34410 @item
34411 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34412 @anchor{tracepoint object}
34413
34414 @end enumerate
34415
34416 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
34417 object:
34418
34419 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
34420 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
34421 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
34422 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
34423 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
34424 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
34425 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34426 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
34427 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
34428 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
34429 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
34430 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
34431 memory address for collecting.
34432 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
34433 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34434 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
34435 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34436 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
34437 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34438 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
34439 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
34440 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
34441 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
34442 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
34443 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
34444 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
34445 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
34446 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
34447 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
34448 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
34449 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
34450 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
34451 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
34452 @ref{agent expression object}
34453 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
34454 @ref{agent expression object}
34455 @item actions @tab variable
34456 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
34457 @end multitable
34458
34459 @node IPA Protocol Commands
34460 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
34461 @cindex ipa protocol commands
34462
34463 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
34464 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
34465
34466 @table @samp
34467
34468 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
34469 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
34470 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
34471 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
34472 in IPA finally.
34473
34474 Replies:
34475 @table @samp
34476 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
34477 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
34478 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
34479 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
34480 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
34481 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
34482 @item E @var{NN}
34483 for an error
34484
34485 @end table
34486
34487 @item close
34488 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
34489 is about to kill inferiors.
34490
34491 @item qTfSTM
34492 @xref{qTfSTM}.
34493 @item qTsSTM
34494 @xref{qTsSTM}.
34495 @item qTSTMat
34496 @xref{qTSTMat}.
34497 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
34498 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
34499
34500 Replies:
34501 @table @samp
34502 @item E @var{NN}
34503 for an error
34504 @end table
34505 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
34506 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
34507 @end table
34508
34509 @node GDB Bugs
34510 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
34511 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
34512 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
34513
34514 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
34515
34516 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
34517 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
34518 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
34519 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
34520
34521 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
34522 information that enables us to fix the bug.
34523
34524 @menu
34525 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
34526 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
34527 @end menu
34528
34529 @node Bug Criteria
34530 @section Have You Found a Bug?
34531 @cindex bug criteria
34532
34533 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
34534
34535 @itemize @bullet
34536 @cindex fatal signal
34537 @cindex debugger crash
34538 @cindex crash of debugger
34539 @item
34540 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
34541 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
34542
34543 @cindex error on valid input
34544 @item
34545 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
34546 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
34547 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
34548
34549 @cindex invalid input
34550 @item
34551 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
34552 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
34553 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
34554 for traditional practice''.
34555
34556 @item
34557 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
34558 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
34559 @end itemize
34560
34561 @node Bug Reporting
34562 @section How to Report Bugs
34563 @cindex bug reports
34564 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
34565
34566 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
34567 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
34568 contact that organization first.
34569
34570 You can find contact information for many support companies and
34571 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
34572 distribution.
34573 @c should add a web page ref...
34574
34575 @ifset BUGURL
34576 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
34577 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34578 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
34579 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
34580 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
34581 be used.
34582
34583 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
34584 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
34585 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
34586 @samp{bug-gdb}.
34587
34588 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
34589 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
34590 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
34591 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
34592 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
34593 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
34594 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
34595 bug reports to the mailing list.
34596 @end ifset
34597 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
34598 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34599 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
34600 @end ifclear
34601 @end ifset
34602
34603 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
34604 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
34605 fact or leave it out, state it!
34606
34607 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
34608 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
34609 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
34610 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
34611 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
34612 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
34613 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
34614 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
34615 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
34616
34617 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
34618 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
34619 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
34620 self-contained.
34621
34622 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
34623 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
34624 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
34625 bugs properly.
34626
34627 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
34628
34629 @itemize @bullet
34630 @item
34631 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
34632 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
34633 version}.
34634
34635 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
34636 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
34637
34638 @item
34639 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
34640 version number.
34641
34642 @item
34643 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
34644 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
34645 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
34646 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
34647
34648 @item
34649 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
34650 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
34651
34652 @item
34653 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
34654 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
34655 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
34656 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
34657 those compilers.
34658
34659 @item
34660 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
34661 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
34662 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
34663 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
34664
34665 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
34666 and then we might not encounter the bug.
34667
34668 @item
34669 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
34670 reproduce the bug.
34671
34672 @item
34673 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
34674 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
34675
34676 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
34677 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
34678 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
34679 a chance to make a mistake.
34680
34681 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
34682 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
34683 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
34684 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
34685 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
34686 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
34687 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
34688 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
34689
34690 @pindex script
34691 @cindex recording a session script
34692 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
34693 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
34694 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
34695 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
34696
34697 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
34698 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
34699
34700 @item
34701 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
34702 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
34703 it by context, not by line number.
34704
34705 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
34706 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
34707
34708 @end itemize
34709
34710 Here are some things that are not necessary:
34711
34712 @itemize @bullet
34713 @item
34714 A description of the envelope of the bug.
34715
34716 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
34717 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
34718 changes will not affect it.
34719
34720 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
34721 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
34722 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
34723 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
34724
34725 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
34726 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
34727 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
34728 less time, and so on.
34729
34730 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
34731 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
34732
34733 @item
34734 A patch for the bug.
34735
34736 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
34737 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
34738 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
34739 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
34740
34741 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
34742 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
34743 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
34744 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
34745
34746 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
34747 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
34748 help us to understand.
34749
34750 @item
34751 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
34752
34753 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
34754 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
34755 @end itemize
34756
34757 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
34758 @c and consists of the two following files:
34759 @c rluser.texi
34760 @c hsuser.texi
34761 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
34762 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
34763 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
34764 @include rluser.texi
34765 @include hsuser.texi
34766 @end ifclear
34767
34768 @node In Memoriam
34769 @appendix In Memoriam
34770
34771 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
34772 contributors:
34773
34774 @table @code
34775 @item Fred Fish
34776 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
34777 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
34778 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
34779
34780 @item Michael Snyder
34781 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
34782 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
34783 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
34784 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
34785 @end table
34786
34787 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
34788 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
34789
34790 @node Formatting Documentation
34791 @appendix Formatting Documentation
34792
34793 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
34794 @cindex reference card
34795 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
34796 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
34797 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
34798 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
34799 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
34800 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
34801
34802 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
34803 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34804
34805 @smallexample
34806 make refcard.dvi
34807 @end smallexample
34808
34809 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34810 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34811 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34812 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34813 your @sc{dvi} output program.
34814
34815 @cindex documentation
34816
34817 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34818 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34819 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34820 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34821 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34822 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34823
34824 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34825 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34826 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34827 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34828 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34829 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34830 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34831 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34832
34833 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34834 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34835 @code{makeinfo}.
34836
34837 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34838 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34839 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34840
34841 @smallexample
34842 cd gdb
34843 make gdb.info
34844 @end smallexample
34845
34846 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34847 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34848 Texinfo definitions file.
34849
34850 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34851 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34852 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34853 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34854 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34855 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34856 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34857
34858 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34859 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34860 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34861 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34862 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34863 directory.
34864
34865 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34866 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34867 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34868 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34869
34870 @smallexample
34871 make gdb.dvi
34872 @end smallexample
34873
34874 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34875
34876 @node Installing GDB
34877 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34878 @cindex installation
34879
34880 @menu
34881 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34882 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34883 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34884 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34885 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34886 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34887 @end menu
34888
34889 @node Requirements
34890 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34891 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34892
34893 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34894 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34895
34896 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34897 @table @asis
34898 @item ISO C90 compiler
34899 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34900 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34901
34902 @end table
34903
34904 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34905 @table @asis
34906 @item Expat
34907 @anchor{Expat}
34908 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34909 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34910 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34911 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34912 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34913 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34914
34915 Expat is used for:
34916
34917 @itemize @bullet
34918 @item
34919 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34920 @item
34921 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34922 @item
34923 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34924 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34925 @item
34926 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34927 @item
34928 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34929 @item
34930 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
34931 @end itemize
34932
34933 @item zlib
34934 @cindex compressed debug sections
34935 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34936 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34937 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34938 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34939 information in such binaries.
34940
34941 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34942 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34943 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34944
34945 @item iconv
34946 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34947 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34948 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34949 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34950
34951 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34952 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34953 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34954 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34955
34956 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34957 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34958 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34959
34960 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34961 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34962 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34963 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34964 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34965 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34966 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34967 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34968 @end table
34969
34970 @node Running Configure
34971 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34972 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34973 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34974 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34975 build the @code{gdb} program.
34976 @iftex
34977 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34978 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34979 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34980 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34981 @end iftex
34982
34983 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34984 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34985 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34986
34987 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34988 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34989
34990 @table @code
34991 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34992 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34993
34994 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34995 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34996
34997 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34998 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34999
35000 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
35001 @sc{gnu} include files
35002
35003 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
35004 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
35005
35006 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
35007 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
35008
35009 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
35010 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
35011
35012 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
35013 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
35014
35015 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
35016 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
35017 @end table
35018
35019 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
35020 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
35021 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
35022
35023 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
35024 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
35025 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
35026 argument.
35027
35028 For example:
35029
35030 @smallexample
35031 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35032 ./configure @var{host}
35033 make
35034 @end smallexample
35035
35036 @noindent
35037 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
35038 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
35039 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
35040 correct value by examining your system.)
35041
35042 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
35043 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
35044 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
35045 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
35046
35047 @need 750
35048 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
35049 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
35050 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
35051
35052 @smallexample
35053 sh configure @var{host}
35054 @end smallexample
35055
35056 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
35057 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
35058 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
35059 @file{configure}
35060 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
35061 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
35062
35063 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
35064 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
35065 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
35066 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
35067 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
35068 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
35069 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
35070 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
35071 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35072
35073 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
35074 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
35075 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
35076 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
35077 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
35078
35079 @node Separate Objdir
35080 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
35081
35082 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
35083 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
35084 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
35085 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
35086 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
35087 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
35088 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
35089 program specified there.
35090
35091 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
35092 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
35093 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
35094 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
35095 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
35096 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
35097
35098 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
35099 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
35100
35101 @smallexample
35102 @group
35103 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35104 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
35105 cd ../gdb-sun4
35106 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
35107 make
35108 @end group
35109 @end smallexample
35110
35111 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
35112 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
35113 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
35114 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
35115 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
35116 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
35117
35118 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
35119 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
35120 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
35121 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
35122 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35123
35124 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
35125 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
35126 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
35127 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
35128 You specify a cross-debugging target by
35129 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
35130
35131 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
35132 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
35133 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
35134
35135 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
35136 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
35137 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
35138 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
35139 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
35140
35141 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
35142 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
35143 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
35144 with each other.
35145
35146 @node Config Names
35147 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
35148
35149 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
35150 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
35151 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
35152 of information in the following pattern:
35153
35154 @smallexample
35155 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
35156 @end smallexample
35157
35158 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
35159 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
35160 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
35161
35162 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
35163 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
35164 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
35165 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
35166 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
35167 abbreviations---for example:
35168
35169 @smallexample
35170 % sh config.sub i386-linux
35171 i386-pc-linux-gnu
35172 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
35173 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
35174 % sh config.sub hp9k700
35175 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
35176 % sh config.sub sun4
35177 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
35178 % sh config.sub sun3
35179 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
35180 % sh config.sub i986v
35181 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
35182 @end smallexample
35183
35184 @noindent
35185 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
35186 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
35187
35188 @node Configure Options
35189 @section @file{configure} Options
35190
35191 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
35192 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
35193 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
35194 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
35195
35196 @smallexample
35197 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
35198 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35199 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35200 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
35201 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
35202 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
35203 @var{host}
35204 @end smallexample
35205
35206 @noindent
35207 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
35208 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
35209 @samp{--}.
35210
35211 @table @code
35212 @item --help
35213 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
35214
35215 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
35216 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
35217 @file{@var{dir}}.
35218
35219 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
35220 Configure the source to install programs under directory
35221 @file{@var{dir}}.
35222
35223 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
35224 @need 2000
35225 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
35226 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
35227 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
35228 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
35229 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
35230 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
35231 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
35232 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
35233 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
35234 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
35235 @var{dirname}.
35236
35237 @item --norecursion
35238 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
35239 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
35240
35241 @item --target=@var{target}
35242 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
35243 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
35244 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
35245
35246 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
35247
35248 @item @var{host} @dots{}
35249 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
35250
35251 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
35252 @end table
35253
35254 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
35255 needed for special purposes only.
35256
35257 @node System-wide configuration
35258 @section System-wide configuration and settings
35259 @cindex system-wide init file
35260
35261 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
35262 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
35263 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
35264
35265 Here is the corresponding configure option:
35266
35267 @table @code
35268 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
35269 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
35270 @var{file}.
35271 @end table
35272
35273 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
35274 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
35275
35276 @itemize @bullet
35277 @item
35278 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
35279 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
35280 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
35281 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
35282 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
35283 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
35284
35285 @item
35286 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
35287 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
35288 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35289 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35290 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
35291 @end itemize
35292
35293 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
35294 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
35295 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
35296 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
35297 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
35298 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
35299 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
35300 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
35301 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
35302 reread.
35303
35304 @node Maintenance Commands
35305 @appendix Maintenance Commands
35306 @cindex maintenance commands
35307 @cindex internal commands
35308
35309 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
35310 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
35311 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
35312 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
35313 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
35314
35315 @table @code
35316 @kindex maint agent
35317 @kindex maint agent-eval
35318 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35319 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35320 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
35321 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
35322 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
35323 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
35324 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
35325 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
35326 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
35327 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
35328 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
35329 addition and return the sum.
35330 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
35331 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
35332
35333 @kindex maint agent-printf
35334 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
35335 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
35336 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
35337 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
35338 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
35339
35340 @kindex maint info breakpoints
35341 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
35342 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
35343 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
35344 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
35345 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
35346 is shown:
35347
35348 @table @code
35349 @item breakpoint
35350 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
35351
35352 @item watchpoint
35353 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
35354
35355 @item longjmp
35356 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
35357 @code{longjmp} calls.
35358
35359 @item longjmp resume
35360 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
35361
35362 @item until
35363 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
35364
35365 @item finish
35366 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
35367
35368 @item shlib events
35369 Shared library events.
35370
35371 @end table
35372
35373 @kindex maint info bfds
35374 @item maint info bfds
35375 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
35376 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
35377
35378 @kindex set displaced-stepping
35379 @kindex show displaced-stepping
35380 @cindex displaced stepping support
35381 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
35382 @item set displaced-stepping
35383 @itemx show displaced-stepping
35384 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
35385 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
35386 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
35387 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
35388 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
35389
35390 @table @code
35391 @item set displaced-stepping on
35392 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
35393 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
35394
35395 @item set displaced-stepping off
35396 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
35397 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
35398
35399 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
35400 @item set displaced-stepping auto
35401 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
35402 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
35403 architecture supports displaced stepping.
35404 @end table
35405
35406 @kindex maint check-symtabs
35407 @item maint check-symtabs
35408 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
35409
35410 @kindex maint cplus first_component
35411 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
35412 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
35413
35414 @kindex maint cplus namespace
35415 @item maint cplus namespace
35416 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
35417
35418 @kindex maint demangle
35419 @item maint demangle @var{name}
35420 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
35421
35422 @kindex maint deprecate
35423 @kindex maint undeprecate
35424 @cindex deprecated commands
35425 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
35426 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
35427 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
35428 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
35429 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
35430 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
35431 the replacement as part of the warning.
35432
35433 @kindex maint dump-me
35434 @item maint dump-me
35435 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
35436 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
35437 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
35438 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
35439
35440 @kindex maint internal-error
35441 @kindex maint internal-warning
35442 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35443 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35444 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
35445 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
35446 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
35447 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
35448 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
35449 @value{GDBN} session.
35450
35451 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
35452 used as the text of the error or warning message.
35453
35454 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
35455
35456 @smallexample
35457 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
35458 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
35459 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
35460 debugging may prove unreliable.
35461 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35462 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35463 (@value{GDBP})
35464 @end smallexample
35465
35466 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
35467 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
35468
35469 @kindex maint set internal-error
35470 @kindex maint show internal-error
35471 @kindex maint set internal-warning
35472 @kindex maint show internal-warning
35473 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35474 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
35475 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35476 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
35477 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
35478 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
35479 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
35480 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
35481 described in the table below.
35482
35483 @table @samp
35484 @item quit
35485 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35486 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35487
35488 @item corefile
35489 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35490 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35491 @end table
35492
35493 @kindex maint packet
35494 @item maint packet @var{text}
35495 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
35496 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
35497 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
35498 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
35499 checksum.
35500
35501 @kindex maint print architecture
35502 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35503 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
35504 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
35505
35506 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
35507 @item maint print c-tdesc
35508 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
35509 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
35510 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
35511
35512 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
35513 @item maint print dummy-frames
35514 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
35515
35516 @smallexample
35517 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
35518 @dots{}
35519 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
35520 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
35521 58 return (a + b);
35522 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
35523 @dots{}
35524 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
35525 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
35526 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
35527 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
35528 (@value{GDBP})
35529 @end smallexample
35530
35531 Takes an optional file parameter.
35532
35533 @kindex maint print registers
35534 @kindex maint print raw-registers
35535 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
35536 @kindex maint print register-groups
35537 @kindex maint print remote-registers
35538 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35539 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35540 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35541 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35542 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35543 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
35544
35545 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
35546 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
35547 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
35548 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
35549 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
35550 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
35551 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
35552 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
35553 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
35554
35555 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
35556 write the information.
35557
35558 @kindex maint print reggroups
35559 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35560 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
35561 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
35562 information.
35563
35564 The register groups info looks like this:
35565
35566 @smallexample
35567 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
35568 Group Type
35569 general user
35570 float user
35571 all user
35572 vector user
35573 system user
35574 save internal
35575 restore internal
35576 @end smallexample
35577
35578 @kindex flushregs
35579 @item flushregs
35580 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
35581
35582 @kindex maint print objfiles
35583 @cindex info for known object files
35584 @item maint print objfiles
35585 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
35586 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
35587 and symtabs.
35588
35589 @kindex maint print section-scripts
35590 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
35591 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
35592 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
35593 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
35594 matching @var{regexp}.
35595 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
35596 and the full path if known.
35597 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
35598
35599 @kindex maint print statistics
35600 @cindex bcache statistics
35601 @item maint print statistics
35602 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
35603 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
35604 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
35605 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
35606 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
35607 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
35608 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
35609 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
35610 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
35611 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
35612 lengths.
35613
35614 @kindex maint print target-stack
35615 @cindex target stack description
35616 @item maint print target-stack
35617 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
35618 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
35619 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
35620 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
35621 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
35622 address.
35623
35624 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
35625 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
35626
35627 @kindex maint print type
35628 @cindex type chain of a data type
35629 @item maint print type @var{expr}
35630 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
35631 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
35632 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
35633 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
35634 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
35635
35636 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35637 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35638 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35639 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35640 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
35641 information.
35642
35643 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
35644 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
35645 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
35646 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
35647 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
35648 always see the disassembly form.
35649
35650 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
35651
35652 @smallexample
35653 (gdb) info addr argc
35654 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
35655 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
35656 @end smallexample
35657
35658 For more information on these expressions, see
35659 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
35660
35661 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35662 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35663 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35664 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35665 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
35666
35667 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
35668 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
35669 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
35670 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
35671 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
35672 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
35673 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
35674 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
35675 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
35676
35677 @kindex maint set profile
35678 @kindex maint show profile
35679 @cindex profiling GDB
35680 @item maint set profile
35681 @itemx maint show profile
35682 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
35683
35684 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
35685 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
35686 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
35687 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
35688 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
35689 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
35690 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
35691
35692 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
35693 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
35694
35695 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
35696 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
35697 @cindex hardware debug registers
35698 @item maint set show-debug-regs
35699 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
35700 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
35701 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
35702 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
35703 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
35704 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
35705
35706 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
35707 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
35708 @item maint set show-all-tib
35709 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
35710 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
35711 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
35712 command.
35713
35714 @kindex maint set per-command
35715 @kindex maint show per-command
35716 @item maint set per-command
35717 @itemx maint show per-command
35718 @cindex resources used by commands
35719
35720 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
35721 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
35722
35723 @table @code
35724 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
35725 @itemx maint show per-command space
35726 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
35727 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
35728 took, following the command's own output.
35729 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35730 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35731
35732 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
35733 @itemx maint show per-command time
35734 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
35735 for each command.
35736 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
35737 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
35738 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
35739 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
35740 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
35741 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
35742 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
35743 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
35744 spent by the program been debugged.
35745 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35746 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35747
35748 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
35749 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
35750 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
35751 for each command.
35752 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
35753
35754 @enumerate a
35755 @item
35756 number of symbol tables
35757 @item
35758 number of primary symbol tables
35759 @item
35760 number of blocks in the blockvector
35761 @end enumerate
35762 @end table
35763
35764 @kindex maint space
35765 @cindex memory used by commands
35766 @item maint space @var{value}
35767 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
35768 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35769
35770 @kindex maint time
35771 @cindex time of command execution
35772 @item maint time @var{value}
35773 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
35774 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35775
35776 @kindex maint translate-address
35777 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
35778 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
35779 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
35780 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
35781 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
35782 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
35783 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
35784
35785 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
35786 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
35787 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
35788
35789 @end table
35790
35791 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
35792 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
35793
35794 @table @code
35795 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
35796 @kindex set watchdog
35797 @cindex watchdog timer
35798 @cindex timeout for commands
35799 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
35800 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
35801 reports and error and the command is aborted.
35802
35803 @item show watchdog
35804 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
35805 @end table
35806
35807 @node Remote Protocol
35808 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
35809
35810 @menu
35811 * Overview::
35812 * Packets::
35813 * Stop Reply Packets::
35814 * General Query Packets::
35815 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
35816 * Tracepoint Packets::
35817 * Host I/O Packets::
35818 * Interrupts::
35819 * Notification Packets::
35820 * Remote Non-Stop::
35821 * Packet Acknowledgment::
35822 * Examples::
35823 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
35824 * Library List Format::
35825 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
35826 * Memory Map Format::
35827 * Thread List Format::
35828 * Traceframe Info Format::
35829 * Branch Trace Format::
35830 @end menu
35831
35832 @node Overview
35833 @section Overview
35834
35835 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
35836 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
35837 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
35838 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
35839
35840 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
35841 transmitted and received data, respectively.
35842
35843 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
35844 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
35845 @cindex remote serial protocol
35846 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
35847 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
35848 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
35849 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
35850 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
35851
35852 @smallexample
35853 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35854 @end smallexample
35855 @noindent
35856
35857 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35858 @noindent
35859 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35860 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35861 eight bit unsigned checksum).
35862
35863 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35864 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35865
35866 @smallexample
35867 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35868 @end smallexample
35869
35870 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
35871 @noindent
35872 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35873 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35874 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35875
35876 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35877 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35878 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35879 retransmission):
35880
35881 @smallexample
35882 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35883 <- @code{+}
35884 @end smallexample
35885 @noindent
35886
35887 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35888 once a connection is established.
35889 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35890
35891 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35892 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35893 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35894 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35895 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35896 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35897 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35898
35899 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35900 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35901 exceptions).
35902
35903 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
35904 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35905 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35906 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35907
35908 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35909 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35910 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35911
35912 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
35913 @anchor{Binary Data}
35914 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35915 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
35916 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
35917 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
35918 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
35919 binary data.
35920
35921 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
35922 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
35923 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
35924 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
35925 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
35926 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
35927 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
35928 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
35929 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
35930 (described next).
35931
35932 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
35933 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
35934 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
35935 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
35936 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
35937 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
35938 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
35939 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
35940 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
35941 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
35942 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
35943 3}} more times.
35944
35945 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
35946 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
35947 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
35948 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
35949 @samp{0*"00}.
35950
35951 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
35952 error number. That number is not well defined.
35953
35954 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
35955 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
35956 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
35957 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
35958 on that response.
35959
35960 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
35961 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
35962 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
35963 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
35964 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
35965 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
35966
35967 @node Packets
35968 @section Packets
35969
35970 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
35971 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
35972 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
35973 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
35974
35975 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
35976 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
35977 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
35978 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
35979 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
35980 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
35981 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
35982 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
35983 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
35984 @var{baz}.
35985
35986 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
35987 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
35988 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
35989 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
35990 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
35991 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
35992 pick any thread.
35993
35994 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
35995 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
35996 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
35997 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
35998 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
35999 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
36000 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
36001 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
36002 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
36003 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
36004 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
36005 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
36006 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
36007
36008 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
36009 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
36010 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
36011 more information.
36012
36013 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
36014 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
36015
36016 Here are the packet descriptions.
36017
36018 @table @samp
36019
36020 @item !
36021 @cindex @samp{!} packet
36022 @anchor{extended mode}
36023 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
36024 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
36025 debugged.
36026
36027 Reply:
36028 @table @samp
36029 @item OK
36030 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
36031 @end table
36032
36033 @item ?
36034 @cindex @samp{?} packet
36035 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
36036 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
36037 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36038
36039 Reply:
36040 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36041
36042 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
36043 @cindex @samp{A} packet
36044 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
36045 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
36046 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
36047
36048 Reply:
36049 @table @samp
36050 @item OK
36051 The arguments were set.
36052 @item E @var{NN}
36053 An error occurred.
36054 @end table
36055
36056 @item b @var{baud}
36057 @cindex @samp{b} packet
36058 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
36059 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
36060
36061 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
36062 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
36063 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
36064
36065 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
36066 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
36067 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
36068 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
36069 of view, nothing actually happened.}
36070
36071 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
36072 @cindex @samp{B} packet
36073 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
36074 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
36075
36076 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
36077 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
36078
36079 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
36080 @anchor{bc}
36081 @item bc
36082 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
36083 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36084
36085 Reply:
36086 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36087
36088 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
36089 @anchor{bs}
36090 @item bs
36091 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
36092 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36093
36094 Reply:
36095 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36096
36097 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36098 @cindex @samp{c} packet
36099 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
36100 resume at current address.
36101
36102 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36103 packet}.
36104
36105 Reply:
36106 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36107
36108 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36109 @cindex @samp{C} packet
36110 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
36111 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
36112
36113 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36114 packet}.
36115
36116 Reply:
36117 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36118
36119 @item d
36120 @cindex @samp{d} packet
36121 Toggle debug flag.
36122
36123 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
36124 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
36125
36126 @item D
36127 @itemx D;@var{pid}
36128 @cindex @samp{D} packet
36129 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
36130 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
36131 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
36132
36133 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
36134 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
36135 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
36136 big-endian hex string.
36137
36138 Reply:
36139 @table @samp
36140 @item OK
36141 for success
36142 @item E @var{NN}
36143 for an error
36144 @end table
36145
36146 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
36147 @cindex @samp{F} packet
36148 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
36149 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
36150 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
36151
36152 @item g
36153 @anchor{read registers packet}
36154 @cindex @samp{g} packet
36155 Read general registers.
36156
36157 Reply:
36158 @table @samp
36159 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36160 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
36161 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
36162 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
36163 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
36164 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
36165 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
36166
36167 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
36168 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
36169 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
36170 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
36171 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
36172 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
36173 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
36174 have been collected, and both have zero value:
36175
36176 @smallexample
36177 -> @code{g}
36178 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
36179 @end smallexample
36180
36181 @item E @var{NN}
36182 for an error.
36183 @end table
36184
36185 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
36186 @cindex @samp{G} packet
36187 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
36188 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
36189
36190 Reply:
36191 @table @samp
36192 @item OK
36193 for success
36194 @item E @var{NN}
36195 for an error
36196 @end table
36197
36198 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
36199 @cindex @samp{H} packet
36200 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
36201 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
36202 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
36203 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
36204 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
36205 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
36206 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36207
36208 Reply:
36209 @table @samp
36210 @item OK
36211 for success
36212 @item E @var{NN}
36213 for an error
36214 @end table
36215
36216 @c FIXME: JTC:
36217 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
36218 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
36219 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
36220 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
36221 @c described. For example:
36222 @c
36223 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36224 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
36225 @c otherwise returns current registers.
36226 @c
36227 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36228 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
36229 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
36230
36231 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
36232 @anchor{cycle step packet}
36233 @cindex @samp{i} packet
36234 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
36235 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
36236 step starting at that address.
36237
36238 @item I
36239 @cindex @samp{I} packet
36240 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
36241 step packet}.
36242
36243 @item k
36244 @cindex @samp{k} packet
36245 Kill request.
36246
36247 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
36248 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
36249 thread?)}.
36250
36251 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
36252 @cindex @samp{m} packet
36253 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36254 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
36255
36256 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
36257 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
36258 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
36259 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
36260 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
36261 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
36262 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
36263 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
36264
36265 Reply:
36266 @table @samp
36267 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36268 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
36269 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
36270 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
36271 @item E @var{NN}
36272 @var{NN} is errno
36273 @end table
36274
36275 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36276 @cindex @samp{M} packet
36277 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36278 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
36279 hexadecimal number.
36280
36281 Reply:
36282 @table @samp
36283 @item OK
36284 for success
36285 @item E @var{NN}
36286 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
36287 written).
36288 @end table
36289
36290 @item p @var{n}
36291 @cindex @samp{p} packet
36292 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
36293 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
36294 register value is encoded.
36295
36296 Reply:
36297 @table @samp
36298 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36299 the register's value
36300 @item E @var{NN}
36301 for an error
36302 @item @w{}
36303 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
36304 @end table
36305
36306 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
36307 @anchor{write register packet}
36308 @cindex @samp{P} packet
36309 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
36310 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
36311 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
36312
36313 Reply:
36314 @table @samp
36315 @item OK
36316 for success
36317 @item E @var{NN}
36318 for an error
36319 @end table
36320
36321 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36322 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36323 @cindex @samp{q} packet
36324 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
36325 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
36326 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
36327
36328 @item r
36329 @cindex @samp{r} packet
36330 Reset the entire system.
36331
36332 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
36333
36334 @item R @var{XX}
36335 @cindex @samp{R} packet
36336 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
36337 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36338
36339 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
36340
36341 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36342 @cindex @samp{s} packet
36343 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
36344 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
36345
36346 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36347 packet}.
36348
36349 Reply:
36350 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36351
36352 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36353 @anchor{step with signal packet}
36354 @cindex @samp{S} packet
36355 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
36356 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
36357
36358 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36359 packet}.
36360
36361 Reply:
36362 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36363
36364 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
36365 @cindex @samp{t} packet
36366 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
36367 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
36368 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
36369
36370 @item T @var{thread-id}
36371 @cindex @samp{T} packet
36372 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36373
36374 Reply:
36375 @table @samp
36376 @item OK
36377 thread is still alive
36378 @item E @var{NN}
36379 thread is dead
36380 @end table
36381
36382 @item v
36383 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
36384 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
36385
36386 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
36387 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
36388 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
36389 The process ID is a
36390 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
36391 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
36392 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
36393
36394 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
36395 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
36396 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
36397 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
36398 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
36399 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
36400 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
36401 @c stopping or restarting threads.
36402
36403 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36404
36405 Reply:
36406 @table @samp
36407 @item E @var{nn}
36408 for an error
36409 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36410 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36411 @item OK
36412 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
36413 @end table
36414
36415 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
36416 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
36417 @anchor{vCont packet}
36418 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
36419 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
36420 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
36421 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
36422 in their current state in non-stop mode.
36423 Specifying multiple
36424 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
36425 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36426
36427 Currently supported actions are:
36428
36429 @table @samp
36430 @item c
36431 Continue.
36432 @item C @var{sig}
36433 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36434 @item s
36435 Step.
36436 @item S @var{sig}
36437 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36438 @item t
36439 Stop.
36440 @end table
36441
36442 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
36443 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
36444 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
36445
36446 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
36447 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
36448 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
36449 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
36450 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
36451 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
36452 as an implementation detail.
36453
36454 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
36455 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
36456 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
36457 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
36458 @var{thread-id}.
36459
36460 Reply:
36461 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36462
36463 @item vCont?
36464 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
36465 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
36466
36467 Reply:
36468 @table @samp
36469 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
36470 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
36471 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
36472 @item @w{}
36473 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
36474 @end table
36475
36476 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
36477 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
36478 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
36479 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
36480
36481 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
36482 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
36483 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
36484 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
36485 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
36486 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
36487 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
36488 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
36489 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36490 packet is received.
36491
36492 Reply:
36493 @table @samp
36494 @item OK
36495 for success
36496 @item E @var{NN}
36497 for an error
36498 @end table
36499
36500 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36501 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
36502 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
36503 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
36504 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
36505 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
36506 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
36507 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
36508 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
36509 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
36510 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
36511 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
36512
36513
36514 Reply:
36515 @table @samp
36516 @item OK
36517 for success
36518 @item E.memtype
36519 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
36520 @item E @var{NN}
36521 for an error
36522 @end table
36523
36524 @item vFlashDone
36525 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
36526 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
36527 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
36528 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
36529 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
36530 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36531 request is completed.
36532
36533 @item vKill;@var{pid}
36534 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
36535 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
36536 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
36537 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
36538 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36539
36540 Reply:
36541 @table @samp
36542 @item E @var{nn}
36543 for an error
36544 @item OK
36545 for success
36546 @end table
36547
36548 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
36549 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
36550 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
36551 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
36552 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
36553 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
36554 state.
36555
36556 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
36557
36558 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36559
36560 Reply:
36561 @table @samp
36562 @item E @var{nn}
36563 for an error
36564 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36565 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36566 @end table
36567
36568 @item vStopped
36569 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
36570 @xref{Notification Packets}.
36571
36572 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36573 @anchor{X packet}
36574 @cindex @samp{X} packet
36575 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
36576 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
36577 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36578
36579 Reply:
36580 @table @samp
36581 @item OK
36582 for success
36583 @item E @var{NN}
36584 for an error
36585 @end table
36586
36587 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36588 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36589 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
36590 @cindex @samp{z} packet
36591 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
36592 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
36593 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
36594
36595 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
36596 separately.
36597
36598 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
36599 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
36600 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
36601 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
36602 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
36603 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
36604
36605 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36606 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36607 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
36608 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
36609 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
36610 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
36611
36612 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
36613 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
36614 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
36615 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
36616 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
36617 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
36618 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
36619 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
36620 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
36621 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
36622
36623 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
36624 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
36625
36626 @table @samp
36627
36628 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36629 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36630 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36631
36632 @end table
36633
36634 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
36635 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
36636 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
36637 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
36638 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
36639 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
36640 separators. Each expression has the following form:
36641
36642 @table @samp
36643
36644 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36645 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36646 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36647
36648 @end table
36649
36650 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
36651
36652 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
36653 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
36654 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
36655 target, is not defined.}
36656
36657 Reply:
36658 @table @samp
36659 @item OK
36660 success
36661 @item @w{}
36662 not supported
36663 @item E @var{NN}
36664 for an error
36665 @end table
36666
36667 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36668 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36669 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
36670 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
36671 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
36672 address @var{addr}.
36673
36674 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
36675 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
36676 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
36677
36678 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
36679 movement.}
36680
36681 Reply:
36682 @table @samp
36683 @item OK
36684 success
36685 @item @w{}
36686 not supported
36687 @item E @var{NN}
36688 for an error
36689 @end table
36690
36691 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36692 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36693 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
36694 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
36695 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36696 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36697
36698 Reply:
36699 @table @samp
36700 @item OK
36701 success
36702 @item @w{}
36703 not supported
36704 @item E @var{NN}
36705 for an error
36706 @end table
36707
36708 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36709 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36710 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
36711 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
36712 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36713 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36714
36715 Reply:
36716 @table @samp
36717 @item OK
36718 success
36719 @item @w{}
36720 not supported
36721 @item E @var{NN}
36722 for an error
36723 @end table
36724
36725 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36726 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36727 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
36728 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
36729 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36730 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36731
36732 Reply:
36733 @table @samp
36734 @item OK
36735 success
36736 @item @w{}
36737 not supported
36738 @item E @var{NN}
36739 for an error
36740 @end table
36741
36742 @end table
36743
36744 @node Stop Reply Packets
36745 @section Stop Reply Packets
36746 @cindex stop reply packets
36747
36748 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
36749 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
36750 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
36751 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
36752 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
36753 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
36754 @value{GDBN} source code.
36755
36756 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
36757 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
36758 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
36759 components.
36760
36761 @table @samp
36762
36763 @item S @var{AA}
36764 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36765 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
36766 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
36767
36768 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
36769 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
36770 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36771 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
36772 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
36773 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
36774 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
36775 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
36776
36777 @itemize @bullet
36778 @item
36779 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
36780 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
36781 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
36782 two-digit hex number.
36783
36784 @item
36785 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
36786 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36787
36788 @item
36789 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
36790 the core on which the stop event was detected.
36791
36792 @item
36793 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
36794 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
36795 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
36796 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
36797
36798 @item
36799 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
36800 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
36801 future.
36802 @end itemize
36803
36804 The currently defined stop reasons are:
36805
36806 @table @samp
36807 @item watch
36808 @itemx rwatch
36809 @itemx awatch
36810 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
36811 hex.
36812
36813 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
36814 @item library
36815 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
36816 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
36817 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
36818
36819 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
36820 @item replaylog
36821 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
36822 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
36823 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
36824 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
36825 for more information.
36826 @end table
36827
36828 @item W @var{AA}
36829 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36830 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
36831 applicable to certain targets.
36832
36833 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
36834 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
36835 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36836 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36837
36838 @item X @var{AA}
36839 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36840 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
36841
36842 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
36843 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
36844 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
36845 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36846
36847 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
36848 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
36849 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
36850 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
36851 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
36852
36853 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
36854 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
36855 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
36856 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
36857 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
36858 system calls.
36859
36860 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36861 this very system call.
36862
36863 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36864 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36865 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36866 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36867 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36868 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36869
36870 @end table
36871
36872 @node General Query Packets
36873 @section General Query Packets
36874 @cindex remote query requests
36875
36876 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36877 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36878 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36879 sending information to and from the stub.
36880
36881 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36882 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36883 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36884 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36885 conventions:
36886
36887 @itemize @bullet
36888 @item
36889 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36890 @item
36891 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36892 letter.
36893 @item
36894 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36895 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36896 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36897 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36898 @end itemize
36899
36900 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36901 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36902 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36903 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36904 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36905 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36906 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36907 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36908 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36909 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36910 packet.}.
36911
36912 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36913 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36914 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36915 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
36916 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
36917
36918 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
36919
36920 @table @samp
36921
36922 @item QAgent:1
36923 @itemx QAgent:0
36924 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
36925 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
36926
36927 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
36928 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
36929 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
36930 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
36931 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
36932 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
36933 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
36934 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
36935 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
36936 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
36937 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
36938
36939 @item qC
36940 @cindex current thread, remote request
36941 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
36942 Return the current thread ID.
36943
36944 Reply:
36945 @table @samp
36946 @item QC @var{thread-id}
36947 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
36948 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36949 @item @r{(anything else)}
36950 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
36951 @end table
36952
36953 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
36954 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
36955 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
36956 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
36957 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
36958 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
36959 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
36960
36961 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
36962 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
36963 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
36964 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
36965 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
36966 detect trailing zeros.
36967
36968 Reply:
36969 @table @samp
36970 @item E @var{NN}
36971 An error (such as memory fault)
36972 @item C @var{crc32}
36973 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
36974 @end table
36975
36976 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
36977 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
36978 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
36979 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
36980 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
36981 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
36982 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
36983 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
36984 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
36985 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
36986 randomization.
36987
36988 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36989
36990 Reply:
36991 @table @samp
36992 @item OK
36993 The request succeeded.
36994
36995 @item E @var{nn}
36996 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36997
36998 @item @w{}
36999 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
37000 by the stub.
37001 @end table
37002
37003 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37004 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37005 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
37006 address space randomization.
37007
37008 @item qfThreadInfo
37009 @itemx qsThreadInfo
37010 @cindex list active threads, remote request
37011 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
37012 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
37013 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
37014 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
37015 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
37016 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
37017 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
37018 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
37019
37020 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
37021
37022 Reply:
37023 @table @samp
37024 @item m @var{thread-id}
37025 A single thread ID
37026 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
37027 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
37028 @item l
37029 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37030 @end table
37031
37032 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37033 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
37034 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
37035 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
37036 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
37037 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37038 fields.
37039
37040 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
37041 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
37042 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
37043 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
37044 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
37045
37046 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
37047 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37048
37049 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
37050 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
37051 information associated with the variable.)
37052
37053 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
37054 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
37055 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
37056 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
37057 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
37058 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
37059
37060 Reply:
37061 @table @samp
37062 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37063 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
37064 local storage requested.
37065
37066 @item E @var{nn}
37067 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37068
37069 @item @w{}
37070 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37071 @end table
37072
37073 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
37074 @cindex get thread information block address
37075 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
37076 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
37077
37078 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
37079
37080 Reply:
37081 @table @samp
37082 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37083 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
37084 thread information block.
37085
37086 @item E @var{nn}
37087 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
37088 address could not be retrieved.
37089
37090 @item @w{}
37091 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37092 @end table
37093
37094 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
37095 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
37096 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
37097 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
37098 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
37099 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
37100 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
37101
37102 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
37103
37104 Reply:
37105 @table @samp
37106 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
37107 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
37108 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
37109 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
37110 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
37111 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
37112 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
37113 @end table
37114
37115 @item qOffsets
37116 @cindex section offsets, remote request
37117 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
37118 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
37119 image.
37120
37121 Reply:
37122 @table @samp
37123 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
37124 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
37125 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
37126 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
37127 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
37128 segments by the supplied offsets.
37129
37130 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
37131 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
37132 to the @code{Bss} section.}
37133
37134 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
37135 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
37136 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
37137 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
37138 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
37139 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
37140 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
37141 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
37142 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
37143 @end table
37144
37145 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
37146 @cindex thread information, remote request
37147 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
37148 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
37149 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
37150 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
37151
37152 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
37153 (see below).
37154
37155 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
37156
37157 @item QNonStop:1
37158 @itemx QNonStop:0
37159 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
37160 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
37161 @anchor{QNonStop}
37162 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
37163 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
37164
37165 Reply:
37166 @table @samp
37167 @item OK
37168 The request succeeded.
37169
37170 @item E @var{nn}
37171 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37172
37173 @item @w{}
37174 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
37175 the stub.
37176 @end table
37177
37178 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37179 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37180 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
37181 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
37182
37183 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37184 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
37185 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37186 @anchor{QPassSignals}
37187 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
37188 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37189 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37190 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
37191 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
37192 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
37193 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
37194 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
37195 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
37196
37197 Reply:
37198 @table @samp
37199 @item OK
37200 The request succeeded.
37201
37202 @item E @var{nn}
37203 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37204
37205 @item @w{}
37206 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
37207 the stub.
37208 @end table
37209
37210 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
37211 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
37212 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37213 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37214
37215 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37216 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
37217 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
37218 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
37219 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
37220 Others should be silently discarded.
37221
37222 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
37223 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
37224 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
37225 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
37226 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
37227 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
37228 signals.
37229
37230 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
37231 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
37232
37233 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37234 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37235 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
37236 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
37237 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
37238
37239 Reply:
37240 @table @samp
37241 @item OK
37242 The request succeeded.
37243
37244 @item E @var{nn}
37245 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37246
37247 @item @w{}
37248 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
37249 by the stub.
37250 @end table
37251
37252 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
37253 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
37254 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37255 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37256
37257 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
37258 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
37259 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
37260 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
37261 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
37262 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
37263 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
37264 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
37265 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
37266
37267 Reply:
37268 @table @samp
37269 @item OK
37270 A command response with no output.
37271 @item @var{OUTPUT}
37272 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
37273 @item E @var{NN}
37274 Indicate a badly formed request.
37275 @item @w{}
37276 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
37277 @end table
37278
37279 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
37280 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37281 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37282 packets.)
37283
37284 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
37285 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
37286 @ifnotinfo
37287 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
37288 @end ifnotinfo
37289 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
37290 @anchor{qSearch memory}
37291 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
37292 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
37293 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
37294
37295 Reply:
37296 @table @samp
37297 @item 0
37298 The pattern was not found.
37299 @item 1,address
37300 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
37301 @item E @var{NN}
37302 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
37303 @item @w{}
37304 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
37305 @end table
37306
37307 @item QStartNoAckMode
37308 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
37309 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
37310 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
37311 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
37312
37313 Reply:
37314 @table @samp
37315 @item OK
37316 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
37317 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
37318 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
37319 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
37320 @item @w{}
37321 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
37322 @end table
37323
37324 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
37325 @cindex supported packets, remote query
37326 @cindex features of the remote protocol
37327 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
37328 @anchor{qSupported}
37329 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
37330 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
37331 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
37332 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
37333 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
37334 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
37335 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
37336 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
37337 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
37338 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
37339 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
37340 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
37341 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
37342 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
37343
37344 Reply:
37345 @table @samp
37346 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
37347 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
37348 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
37349 possible forms).
37350 @item @w{}
37351 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
37352 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
37353 @end table
37354
37355 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
37356 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
37357 are:
37358
37359 @table @samp
37360 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
37361 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
37362 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
37363 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
37364 @item @var{name}+
37365 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
37366 need an associated value.
37367 @item @var{name}-
37368 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
37369 @item @var{name}?
37370 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
37371 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
37372 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
37373 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
37374 @end table
37375
37376 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
37377 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
37378 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
37379 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
37380 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
37381
37382 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
37383 are defined:
37384
37385 @table @samp
37386 @item multiprocess
37387 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
37388 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37389 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37390 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37391 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
37392
37393 @item xmlRegisters
37394 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
37395 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
37396 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
37397 description.
37398
37399 @item qRelocInsn
37400 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
37401 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37402 instruction reply packet}).
37403 @end table
37404
37405 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
37406 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
37407 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
37408 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
37409 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
37410 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
37411 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
37412 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
37413 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
37414 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
37415 all the features it supports.
37416
37417 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
37418 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
37419
37420 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
37421 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
37422 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
37423 form response.
37424
37425 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
37426 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
37427 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
37428 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
37429
37430 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
37431 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
37432 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
37433 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
37434 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
37435
37436 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
37437
37438 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
37439 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
37440 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
37441 @item Feature Name
37442 @tab Value Required
37443 @tab Default
37444 @tab Probe Allowed
37445
37446 @item @samp{PacketSize}
37447 @tab Yes
37448 @tab @samp{-}
37449 @tab No
37450
37451 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
37452 @tab No
37453 @tab @samp{-}
37454 @tab Yes
37455
37456 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
37457 @tab No
37458 @tab @samp{-}
37459 @tab Yes
37460
37461 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
37462 @tab No
37463 @tab @samp{-}
37464 @tab Yes
37465
37466 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
37467 @tab No
37468 @tab @samp{-}
37469 @tab Yes
37470
37471 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
37472 @tab No
37473 @tab @samp{-}
37474 @tab Yes
37475
37476 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
37477 @tab No
37478 @tab @samp{-}
37479 @tab Yes
37480
37481 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
37482 @tab No
37483 @tab @samp{-}
37484 @tab Yes
37485
37486 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
37487 @tab No
37488 @tab @samp{-}
37489 @tab Yes
37490
37491 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
37492 @tab No
37493 @tab @samp{-}
37494 @tab Yes
37495
37496 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
37497 @tab No
37498 @tab @samp{-}
37499 @tab Yes
37500
37501 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
37502 @tab No
37503 @tab @samp{-}
37504 @tab Yes
37505
37506 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37507 @tab No
37508 @tab @samp{-}
37509 @tab Yes
37510
37511 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37512 @tab No
37513 @tab @samp{-}
37514 @tab Yes
37515
37516 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37517 @tab No
37518 @tab @samp{-}
37519 @tab Yes
37520
37521 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
37522 @tab Yes
37523 @tab @samp{-}
37524 @tab Yes
37525
37526 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
37527 @tab Yes
37528 @tab @samp{-}
37529 @tab Yes
37530
37531 @item @samp{QNonStop}
37532 @tab No
37533 @tab @samp{-}
37534 @tab Yes
37535
37536 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
37537 @tab No
37538 @tab @samp{-}
37539 @tab Yes
37540
37541 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
37542 @tab No
37543 @tab @samp{-}
37544 @tab Yes
37545
37546 @item @samp{multiprocess}
37547 @tab No
37548 @tab @samp{-}
37549 @tab No
37550
37551 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
37552 @tab No
37553 @tab @samp{-}
37554 @tab No
37555
37556 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
37557 @tab No
37558 @tab @samp{-}
37559 @tab No
37560
37561 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
37562 @tab No
37563 @tab @samp{-}
37564 @tab No
37565
37566 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
37567 @tab No
37568 @tab @samp{-}
37569 @tab No
37570
37571 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
37572 @tab No
37573 @tab @samp{-}
37574 @tab No
37575
37576 @item @samp{QAgent}
37577 @tab No
37578 @tab @samp{-}
37579 @tab No
37580
37581 @item @samp{QAllow}
37582 @tab No
37583 @tab @samp{-}
37584 @tab No
37585
37586 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
37587 @tab No
37588 @tab @samp{-}
37589 @tab No
37590
37591 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
37592 @tab No
37593 @tab @samp{-}
37594 @tab No
37595
37596 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
37597 @tab No
37598 @tab @samp{-}
37599 @tab No
37600
37601 @item @samp{tracenz}
37602 @tab No
37603 @tab @samp{-}
37604 @tab No
37605
37606 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
37607 @tab No
37608 @tab @samp{-}
37609 @tab No
37610
37611 @end multitable
37612
37613 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
37614
37615 @table @samp
37616 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
37617 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
37618 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
37619 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
37620 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
37621 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
37622 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
37623 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
37624 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
37625 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
37626
37627 @item qXfer:auxv:read
37628 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
37629 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
37630
37631 @item qXfer:btrace:read
37632 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
37633 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
37634
37635 @item qXfer:features:read
37636 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
37637 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
37638
37639 @item qXfer:libraries:read
37640 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
37641 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
37642
37643 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
37644 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
37645 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
37646
37647 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
37648 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
37649 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
37650
37651 @item qXfer:sdata:read
37652 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
37653 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
37654
37655 @item qXfer:spu:read
37656 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
37657 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
37658
37659 @item qXfer:spu:write
37660 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
37661 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
37662
37663 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
37664 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
37665 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
37666
37667 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
37668 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
37669 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
37670
37671 @item qXfer:threads:read
37672 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
37673 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
37674
37675 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
37676 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37677 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
37678
37679 @item qXfer:uib:read
37680 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37681 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
37682
37683 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
37684 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37685 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
37686
37687 @item QNonStop
37688 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
37689 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
37690
37691 @item QPassSignals
37692 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37693 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
37694
37695 @item QStartNoAckMode
37696 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
37697 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
37698
37699 @item multiprocess
37700 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
37701 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
37702 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
37703 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
37704 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
37705 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
37706 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
37707 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
37708 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
37709 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
37710 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
37711
37712 @item qXfer:osdata:read
37713 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
37714 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
37715
37716 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
37717 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
37718 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
37719 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
37720
37721 @item ConditionalTracepoints
37722 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
37723 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
37724
37725 @item ReverseContinue
37726 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
37727 (@pxref{bc}).
37728
37729 @item ReverseStep
37730 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
37731 (@pxref{bs}).
37732
37733 @item TracepointSource
37734 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
37735 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
37736
37737 @item QAgent
37738 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
37739
37740 @item QAllow
37741 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
37742
37743 @item QDisableRandomization
37744 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
37745
37746 @item StaticTracepoint
37747 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
37748 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
37749
37750 @item InstallInTrace
37751 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
37752 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
37753
37754 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
37755 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
37756 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
37757 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
37758
37759 @item QTBuffer:size
37760 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
37761 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
37762
37763 @item tracenz
37764 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
37765 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
37766 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
37767
37768 @item BreakpointCommands
37769 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
37770 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
37771 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
37772
37773 @item Qbtrace:off
37774 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
37775
37776 @item Qbtrace:bts
37777 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
37778
37779 @end table
37780
37781 @item qSymbol::
37782 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
37783 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
37784 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
37785 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
37786
37787 Reply:
37788 @table @samp
37789 @item OK
37790 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37791 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37792 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
37793 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
37794 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
37795 below.
37796 @end table
37797
37798 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
37799 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
37800
37801 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
37802 target has previously requested.
37803
37804 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
37805 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
37806 will be empty.
37807
37808 Reply:
37809 @table @samp
37810 @item OK
37811 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37812 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37813 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
37814 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
37815 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
37816 @end table
37817
37818 @item qTBuffer
37819 @itemx QTBuffer
37820 @itemx QTDisconnected
37821 @itemx QTDP
37822 @itemx QTDPsrc
37823 @itemx QTDV
37824 @itemx qTfP
37825 @itemx qTfV
37826 @itemx QTFrame
37827 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
37828
37829 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37830
37831 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
37832 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
37833 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
37834 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
37835 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
37836 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
37837 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
37838 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
37839 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
37840 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
37841 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
37842
37843 Reply:
37844 @table @samp
37845 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37846 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
37847 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
37848 the thread's attributes.
37849 @end table
37850
37851 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
37852 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37853 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37854 packets.)
37855
37856 @item QTNotes
37857 @itemx qTP
37858 @itemx QTSave
37859 @itemx qTsP
37860 @itemx qTsV
37861 @itemx QTStart
37862 @itemx QTStop
37863 @itemx QTEnable
37864 @itemx QTDisable
37865 @itemx QTinit
37866 @itemx QTro
37867 @itemx qTStatus
37868 @itemx qTV
37869 @itemx qTfSTM
37870 @itemx qTsSTM
37871 @itemx qTSTMat
37872 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37873
37874 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37875 @cindex read special object, remote request
37876 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
37877 @anchor{qXfer read}
37878 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
37879 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
37880 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37881 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37882 additional details about what data to access.
37883
37884 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37885 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37886 formats, listed below.
37887
37888 @table @samp
37889 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37890 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
37891 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
37892 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
37893
37894 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37895 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37896
37897 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37898 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
37899
37900 Return a description of the current branch trace.
37901 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
37902 packet may have one of the following values:
37903
37904 @table @code
37905 @item all
37906 Returns all available branch trace.
37907
37908 @item new
37909 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
37910 the last read request.
37911 @end table
37912
37913 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
37914 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37915
37916 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37917 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
37918 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
37919 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
37920 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
37921
37922 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37923 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37924
37925 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37926 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
37927 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
37928 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37929 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37930
37931 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37932 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37933 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37934
37935 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37936 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37937
37938 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37939 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37940 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37941 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37942 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37943
37944 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37945 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
37946
37947 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37948 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37949
37950 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37951 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37952 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37953 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37954 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37955
37956 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37957 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37958
37959 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37960 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37961
37962 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37963 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37964 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37965 Action Lists}.
37966
37967 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37968 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37969 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37970
37971 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37972 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37973 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37974 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37975 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37976
37977 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37978 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37979 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37980
37981 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37982 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37983 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37984 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37985 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37986 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37987 in that context to be accessed.
37988
37989 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37990 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37991 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37992
37993 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37994 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37995 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37996 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37997 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37998
37999 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38000 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38001
38002 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38003 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
38004
38005 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
38006 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
38007 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38008
38009 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38010 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38011
38012 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38013 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
38014
38015 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
38016 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
38017
38018 This packet is not probed by default.
38019
38020 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38021 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
38022 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
38023 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
38024 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
38025
38026 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38027 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38028
38029 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38030 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
38031 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
38032 @xref{Operating System Information}.
38033
38034 @end table
38035
38036 Reply:
38037 @table @samp
38038 @item m @var{data}
38039 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
38040 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
38041 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
38042 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
38043 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
38044 request.
38045
38046 @item l @var{data}
38047 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
38048 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
38049 than the @var{length} in the request.
38050
38051 @item l
38052 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
38053 There is no more data to be read.
38054
38055 @item E00
38056 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38057
38058 @item E @var{nn}
38059 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
38060 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38061
38062 @item @w{}
38063 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
38064 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
38065 @end table
38066
38067 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38068 @cindex write data into object, remote request
38069 @anchor{qXfer write}
38070 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
38071 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
38072 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
38073 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
38074 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
38075 to access.
38076
38077 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
38078 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38079 formats, listed below.
38080
38081 @table @samp
38082 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38083 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
38084 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
38085 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38086 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
38087
38088 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38089 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38090 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38091
38092 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38093 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
38094 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38095 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
38096 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38097 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38098 in that context to be accessed.
38099
38100 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38101 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38102 @end table
38103
38104 Reply:
38105 @table @samp
38106 @item @var{nn}
38107 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
38108 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
38109
38110 @item E00
38111 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38112
38113 @item E @var{nn}
38114 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
38115 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38116
38117 @item @w{}
38118 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
38119 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
38120 @end table
38121
38122 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
38123 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
38124 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
38125 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
38126 must respond with an empty packet.
38127
38128 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
38129 @cindex query attached, remote request
38130 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
38131 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
38132 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
38133 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
38134 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
38135 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
38136 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
38137
38138 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
38139 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
38140 the @code{quit} command.
38141
38142 Reply:
38143 @table @samp
38144 @item 1
38145 The remote server attached to an existing process.
38146 @item 0
38147 The remote server created a new process.
38148 @item E @var{NN}
38149 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38150 @end table
38151
38152 @item Qbtrace:bts
38153 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
38154
38155 Reply:
38156 @table @samp
38157 @item OK
38158 Branch tracing has been enabled.
38159 @item E.errtext
38160 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38161 @end table
38162
38163 @item Qbtrace:off
38164 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
38165
38166 Reply:
38167 @table @samp
38168 @item OK
38169 Branch tracing has been disabled.
38170 @item E.errtext
38171 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38172 @end table
38173
38174 @end table
38175
38176 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38177 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38178
38179 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
38180 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
38181 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
38182
38183 @menu
38184 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
38185 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
38186 @end menu
38187
38188 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
38189 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
38190
38191 @menu
38192 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
38193 @end menu
38194
38195 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
38196 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
38197 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
38198
38199 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
38200
38201 @table @r
38202
38203 @item 2
38204 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
38205
38206 @item 3
38207 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
38208
38209 @item 4
38210 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
38211
38212 @end table
38213
38214 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
38215 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
38216
38217 @menu
38218 * MIPS Register packet Format::
38219 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
38220 @end menu
38221
38222 @node MIPS Register packet Format
38223 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
38224 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
38225
38226 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
38227 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
38228 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
38229 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
38230 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
38231 most-significant -- least-significant.
38232
38233 @table @r
38234
38235 @item MIPS32
38236 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
38237 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
38238 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
38239
38240 @item MIPS64
38241 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
38242 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
38243 as @code{MIPS32}.
38244
38245 @end table
38246
38247 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
38248 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
38249 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
38250
38251 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
38252
38253 @table @r
38254
38255 @item 2
38256 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
38257
38258 @item 3
38259 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
38260
38261 @item 4
38262 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
38263
38264 @item 5
38265 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
38266
38267 @end table
38268
38269 @node Tracepoint Packets
38270 @section Tracepoint Packets
38271 @cindex tracepoint packets
38272 @cindex packets, tracepoint
38273
38274 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
38275 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
38276
38277 @table @samp
38278
38279 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
38280 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
38281 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
38282 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
38283 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
38284 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
38285 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
38286 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
38287 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
38288 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
38289 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
38290 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
38291 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
38292 actions.
38293
38294 Replies:
38295 @table @samp
38296 @item OK
38297 The packet was understood and carried out.
38298 @item qRelocInsn
38299 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38300 @item @w{}
38301 The packet was not recognized.
38302 @end table
38303
38304 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
38305 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
38306 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
38307 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
38308 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
38309 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
38310 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
38311
38312 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
38313 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
38314 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
38315 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
38316 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
38317 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
38318 tracepoint actions.
38319
38320 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
38321 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
38322 following forms:
38323
38324 @table @samp
38325
38326 @item R @var{mask}
38327 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
38328 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
38329 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
38330 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
38331 not fit in a 32-bit word.
38332
38333 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
38334 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
38335 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
38336 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
38337 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
38338 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
38339 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
38340
38341 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38342 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
38343 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
38344 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
38345 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
38346 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
38347 packet).
38348
38349 @end table
38350
38351 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
38352 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
38353 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
38354 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
38355 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
38356 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
38357 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
38358 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
38359
38360 Replies:
38361 @table @samp
38362 @item OK
38363 The packet was understood and carried out.
38364 @item qRelocInsn
38365 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38366 @item @w{}
38367 The packet was not recognized.
38368 @end table
38369
38370 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
38371 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
38372 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
38373 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
38374 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
38375 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
38376 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
38377 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
38378
38379 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
38380 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
38381 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
38382 fit in a single packet.
38383 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
38384 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
38385
38386 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
38387 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
38388 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
38389 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
38390
38391 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
38392 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
38393 query packets.
38394
38395 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
38396 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
38397 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
38398 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
38399 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
38400 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
38401 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
38402 be found.
38403
38404 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
38405 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
38406 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
38407 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
38408 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
38409 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
38410 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
38411 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
38412 mentioned in expressions.
38413
38414 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
38415 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
38416 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
38417 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
38418 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
38419
38420 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
38421 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
38422 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
38423 one of the following forms:
38424
38425 @table @samp
38426 @item F @var{f}
38427 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
38428 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
38429 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
38430
38431 @item T @var{t}
38432 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
38433 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
38434
38435 @end table
38436
38437 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
38438 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38439 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
38440 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
38441
38442 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
38443 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38444 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
38445 is a hexadecimal number.
38446
38447 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
38448 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38449 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
38450 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
38451 numbers.
38452
38453 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
38454 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
38455 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
38456
38457 @item qTMinFTPILen
38458 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
38459 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
38460 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
38461 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
38462 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
38463 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
38464 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
38465 arrange for that.
38466
38467 Replies:
38468
38469 @table @samp
38470 @item 0
38471 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
38472 @item @var{length}
38473 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
38474 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
38475 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
38476 @item E
38477 An error has occurred.
38478 @item @w{}
38479 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
38480 @end table
38481
38482 @item QTStart
38483 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
38484 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
38485 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
38486 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38487 instruction reply packet}).
38488
38489 @item QTStop
38490 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
38491 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
38492
38493 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38494 @anchor{QTEnable}
38495 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
38496 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38497 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
38498 of data from it will resume.
38499
38500 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38501 @anchor{QTDisable}
38502 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
38503 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38504 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
38505 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
38506
38507 @item QTinit
38508 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
38509 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
38510
38511 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
38512 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
38513 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
38514 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
38515 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
38516
38517 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
38518 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
38519 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
38520 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
38521
38522 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
38523 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
38524 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
38525 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
38526 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
38527 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
38528
38529 @item qTStatus
38530 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
38531 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
38532
38533 The reply has the form:
38534
38535 @table @samp
38536
38537 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
38538 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
38539 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
38540 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
38541
38542 @end table
38543
38544 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
38545 explanations as one of the optional fields:
38546
38547 @table @samp
38548
38549 @item tnotrun:0
38550 No trace has been run yet.
38551
38552 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
38553 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
38554 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
38555 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
38556 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
38557
38558 @item tfull:0
38559 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
38560
38561 @item tdisconnected:0
38562 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
38563
38564 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
38565 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
38566
38567 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
38568 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
38569 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
38570 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
38571 @var{text} is hex encoded.
38572
38573 @item tunknown:0
38574 The trace stopped for some other reason.
38575
38576 @end table
38577
38578 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
38579 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
38580 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
38581 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
38582 trace.
38583
38584 @table @samp
38585
38586 @item tframes:@var{n}
38587 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
38588
38589 @item tcreated:@var{n}
38590 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
38591 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
38592
38593 @item tsize:@var{n}
38594 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
38595
38596 @item tfree:@var{n}
38597 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
38598
38599 @item circular:@var{n}
38600 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
38601 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
38602 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
38603 and may fill up.
38604
38605 @item disconn:@var{n}
38606 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
38607 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
38608 that the trace run will stop.
38609
38610 @end table
38611
38612 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
38613 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
38614 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
38615 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
38616 address @var{addr}.
38617
38618 Replies:
38619 @table @samp
38620 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
38621 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
38622 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
38623 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
38624 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
38625
38626 @end table
38627
38628 @item qTV:@var{var}
38629 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
38630 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
38631 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
38632
38633 Replies:
38634 @table @samp
38635 @item V@var{value}
38636 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
38637 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
38638 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
38639 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
38640 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
38641 program is running.
38642
38643 @item U
38644 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
38645 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
38646 was not collected.
38647 @end table
38648
38649 @item qTfP
38650 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
38651 @itemx qTsP
38652 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
38653 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
38654 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
38655 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
38656 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
38657 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
38658
38659 @item qTfV
38660 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
38661 @itemx qTsV
38662 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
38663 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
38664 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
38665 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
38666 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
38667 trace state variables.
38668
38669 @item qTfSTM
38670 @itemx qTsSTM
38671 @anchor{qTfSTM}
38672 @anchor{qTsSTM}
38673 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
38674 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
38675 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
38676 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
38677 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
38678 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
38679
38680 Reply:
38681 @table @samp
38682 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
38683 A single marker
38684 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
38685 a comma-separated list of markers
38686 @item l
38687 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38688 @item E @var{nn}
38689 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38690 @item @w{}
38691 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
38692 stub.
38693 @end table
38694
38695 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
38696 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
38697
38698 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38699 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
38700 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
38701 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
38702 @dfn{last}).
38703
38704 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
38705 @anchor{qTSTMat}
38706 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
38707 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
38708 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
38709 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
38710 tracepoint markers.
38711
38712 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
38713 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
38714 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
38715 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
38716 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
38717 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
38718
38719 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
38720 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
38721 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
38722 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
38723 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
38724 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
38725 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
38726 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
38727 available.
38728
38729 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
38730 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
38731 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
38732
38733 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
38734 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
38735 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
38736 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
38737 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
38738 use whatever size it prefers.
38739
38740 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
38741 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
38742 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
38743 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
38744 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
38745
38746 @end table
38747
38748 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
38749 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
38750 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
38751 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
38752 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
38753 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
38754 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
38755 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
38756 it had executed in the original location.
38757
38758 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
38759 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
38760 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
38761 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
38762 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
38763 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
38764 format of the request is:
38765
38766 @table @samp
38767 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
38768
38769 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
38770 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
38771 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
38772 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
38773 memory starting at @var{to}.
38774 @end table
38775
38776 Replies:
38777 @table @samp
38778 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
38779 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
38780 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
38781 @item E @var{NN}
38782 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
38783 relocating the instruction.
38784 @end table
38785
38786 @node Host I/O Packets
38787 @section Host I/O Packets
38788 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
38789 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
38790
38791 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
38792 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
38793 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
38794 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
38795 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
38796 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
38797 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
38798 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
38799 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
38800 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
38801
38802 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
38803 its arguments. They have this format:
38804
38805 @table @samp
38806
38807 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
38808 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
38809 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
38810 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
38811 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
38812 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
38813 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
38814 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
38815 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38816
38817 @end table
38818
38819 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
38820
38821 @table @samp
38822
38823 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
38824 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
38825 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
38826 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
38827 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
38828 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
38829 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
38830 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
38831 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
38832 @var{attachment}.
38833
38834 @item @w{}
38835 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
38836
38837 @end table
38838
38839 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
38840
38841 @table @samp
38842 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
38843 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
38844 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
38845 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
38846 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
38847 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
38848 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
38849
38850 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
38851 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
38852 -1 if an error occurs.
38853
38854 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
38855 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
38856 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
38857 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
38858 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
38859 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
38860 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
38861 @var{count} was zero.
38862
38863 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38864 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38865 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38866 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38867 some characters were escaped.
38868
38869 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
38870 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
38871 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
38872 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
38873 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
38874 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
38875 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
38876 error occurred.
38877
38878 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
38879 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
38880 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
38881
38882 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
38883 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
38884 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
38885
38886 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38887 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38888 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38889 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38890 some characters were escaped.
38891
38892 @end table
38893
38894 @node Interrupts
38895 @section Interrupts
38896 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
38897
38898 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
38899 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
38900 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
38901 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
38902
38903 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
38904 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
38905 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
38906 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
38907 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
38908
38909 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
38910 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
38911 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
38912 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
38913 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
38914 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
38915 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
38916 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
38917
38918 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
38919 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
38920 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
38921
38922 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
38923 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
38924 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
38925 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
38926 currently-executing threads and processes.
38927 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
38928 running program, it should send one of the stop
38929 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
38930 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
38931 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
38932 Interrupts received while the
38933 program is stopped are discarded.
38934
38935 @node Notification Packets
38936 @section Notification Packets
38937 @cindex notification packets
38938 @cindex packets, notification
38939
38940 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
38941 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
38942 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
38943 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
38944 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
38945 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
38946 is not a problem.
38947
38948 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38949 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38950 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38951 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38952 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38953 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38954 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38955
38956 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38957 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38958
38959 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38960 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38961 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38962 not they understand it.
38963
38964 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38965 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38966 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38967 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38968 recipients.
38969
38970 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38971 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38972 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38973 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38974 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38975
38976 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
38977 @table @samp
38978 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
38979 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
38980 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
38981 carrying the specific information about the notification.
38982 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
38983 @item @var{ack}
38984 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
38985 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
38986 @end table
38987
38988 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
38989 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
38990
38991 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
38992 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
38993 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
38994 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
38995 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38996 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38997 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
38998 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38999 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
39000 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
39001
39002 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
39003 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
39004 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
39005 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
39006 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
39007 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
39008
39009 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
39010 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
39011 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
39012 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
39013 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
39014
39015 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
39016 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
39017 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
39018 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
39019 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
39020 normally.
39021
39022 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
39023 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
39024 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
39025 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
39026 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
39027 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
39028 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
39029 the process shall be repeated.
39030
39031 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
39032 following example:
39033 @smallexample
39034 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
39035 @code{...}
39036 -> @code{vStopped}
39037 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
39038 -> @code{vStopped}
39039 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
39040 -> @code{vStopped}
39041 <- @code{OK}
39042 @end smallexample
39043
39044 The following notifications are defined:
39045 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
39046
39047 @item Notification
39048 @tab Ack
39049 @tab Event
39050 @tab Description
39051
39052 @item Stop
39053 @tab vStopped
39054 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
39055 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
39056 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
39057 @value{GDBN}.
39058 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
39059
39060 @end multitable
39061
39062 @node Remote Non-Stop
39063 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
39064
39065 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
39066 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
39067 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
39068 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39069
39070 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
39071 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
39072 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
39073 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
39074 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
39075 probe the target state after a mode change.
39076
39077 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
39078 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
39079 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
39080 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
39081 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
39082 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
39083 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
39084 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
39085 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
39086 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
39087 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
39088
39089 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
39090 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
39091 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
39092 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
39093 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
39094 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
39095 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
39096 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
39097 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
39098 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
39099 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
39100 @samp{OK}.
39101
39102 @node Packet Acknowledgment
39103 @section Packet Acknowledgment
39104
39105 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39106 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39107 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
39108 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
39109 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
39110 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
39111 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
39112
39113 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
39114 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
39115 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
39116 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
39117 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
39118
39119 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
39120 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
39121 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
39122 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
39123
39124 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
39125 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
39126 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
39127 @pxref{qSupported}.
39128 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
39129 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
39130 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
39131 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
39132 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
39133 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
39134 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
39135
39136 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
39137 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
39138 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
39139 connection.
39140 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
39141 new connection is established,
39142 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
39143 for the current connection, once disabled.
39144
39145 @node Examples
39146 @section Examples
39147
39148 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
39149 does not get any direct output:
39150
39151 @smallexample
39152 -> @code{R00}
39153 <- @code{+}
39154 @emph{target restarts}
39155 -> @code{?}
39156 <- @code{+}
39157 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
39158 -> @code{+}
39159 @end smallexample
39160
39161 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
39162
39163 @smallexample
39164 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
39165 <- @code{+}
39166 -> @code{s}
39167 <- @code{+}
39168 @emph{time passes}
39169 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
39170 -> @code{+}
39171 -> @code{g}
39172 <- @code{+}
39173 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
39174 -> @code{+}
39175 @end smallexample
39176
39177 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
39178 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
39179 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
39180
39181 @menu
39182 * File-I/O Overview::
39183 * Protocol Basics::
39184 * The F Request Packet::
39185 * The F Reply Packet::
39186 * The Ctrl-C Message::
39187 * Console I/O::
39188 * List of Supported Calls::
39189 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
39190 * Constants::
39191 * File-I/O Examples::
39192 @end menu
39193
39194 @node File-I/O Overview
39195 @subsection File-I/O Overview
39196 @cindex file-i/o overview
39197
39198 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
39199 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
39200 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
39201 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
39202 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
39203 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
39204
39205 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
39206 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
39207 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
39208 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
39209 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
39210
39211 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
39212 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
39213 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
39214 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
39215 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
39216 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
39217 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
39218
39219 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
39220 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
39221 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
39222 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
39223 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
39224
39225 @smallexample
39226 (@value{GDBP}) continue
39227 <- target requests 'system call X'
39228 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
39229 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
39230 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
39231 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
39232 @end smallexample
39233
39234 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
39235 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
39236 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
39237 system are not supported by this protocol.
39238
39239 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
39240
39241 @node Protocol Basics
39242 @subsection Protocol Basics
39243 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
39244
39245 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
39246 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
39247 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
39248 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
39249 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
39250 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
39251 to call the appropriate host system call:
39252
39253 @itemize @bullet
39254 @item
39255 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
39256
39257 @item
39258 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
39259 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
39260 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
39261 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
39262
39263 @end itemize
39264
39265 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
39266
39267 @itemize @bullet
39268 @item
39269 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
39270 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
39271 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
39272 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
39273 packet.
39274
39275 @item
39276 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
39277 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
39278
39279 @item
39280 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
39281
39282 @item
39283 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
39284
39285 @item
39286 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
39287 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
39288 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
39289 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
39290 packet.
39291
39292 @end itemize
39293
39294 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
39295 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
39296
39297 @itemize @bullet
39298 @item
39299 Return value.
39300
39301 @item
39302 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
39303
39304 @item
39305 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
39306
39307 @end itemize
39308
39309 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
39310 the latest continue or step action.
39311
39312 @node The F Request Packet
39313 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
39314 @cindex file-i/o request packet
39315 @cindex @code{F} request packet
39316
39317 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
39318
39319 @table @samp
39320 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
39321
39322 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
39323 This is just the name of the function.
39324
39325 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
39326 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
39327 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
39328 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
39329 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
39330 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
39331 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
39332
39333 @end table
39334
39335
39336
39337 @node The F Reply Packet
39338 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
39339 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
39340 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
39341
39342 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
39343
39344 @table @samp
39345
39346 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
39347
39348 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
39349
39350 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
39351 representation.
39352 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
39353
39354 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
39355 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
39356 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
39357
39358 @smallexample
39359 F0,0,C
39360 @end smallexample
39361
39362 @noindent
39363 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
39364
39365 @smallexample
39366 F-1,4,C
39367 @end smallexample
39368
39369 @noindent
39370 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
39371
39372 @end table
39373
39374
39375 @node The Ctrl-C Message
39376 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
39377 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
39378
39379 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
39380 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
39381 the target should behave as if it had
39382 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
39383 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
39384 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
39385 packet.
39386
39387 It's important for the target to know in which
39388 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
39389
39390 @itemize @bullet
39391 @item
39392 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
39393
39394 @item
39395 The system call on the host has been finished.
39396
39397 @end itemize
39398
39399 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
39400 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
39401 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
39402 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
39403 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
39404 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
39405
39406 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
39407 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
39408 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
39409 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
39410 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
39411 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
39412 or the full action has been completed.
39413
39414 @node Console I/O
39415 @subsection Console I/O
39416 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
39417
39418 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
39419 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
39420 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
39421 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
39422 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
39423 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
39424 conditions is met:
39425
39426 @itemize @bullet
39427 @item
39428 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
39429 @code{read}
39430 system call is treated as finished.
39431
39432 @item
39433 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
39434 newline.
39435
39436 @item
39437 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
39438 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
39439
39440 @end itemize
39441
39442 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
39443 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
39444 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
39445 is stopped at the user's request.
39446
39447
39448 @node List of Supported Calls
39449 @subsection List of Supported Calls
39450 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
39451
39452 @menu
39453 * open::
39454 * close::
39455 * read::
39456 * write::
39457 * lseek::
39458 * rename::
39459 * unlink::
39460 * stat/fstat::
39461 * gettimeofday::
39462 * isatty::
39463 * system::
39464 @end menu
39465
39466 @node open
39467 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
39468 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
39469
39470 @table @asis
39471 @item Synopsis:
39472 @smallexample
39473 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
39474 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
39475 @end smallexample
39476
39477 @item Request:
39478 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
39479
39480 @noindent
39481 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39482
39483 @table @code
39484 @item O_CREAT
39485 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
39486 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
39487 are concerned.
39488
39489 @item O_EXCL
39490 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
39491 an error and open() fails.
39492
39493 @item O_TRUNC
39494 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
39495 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
39496 truncated to zero length.
39497
39498 @item O_APPEND
39499 The file is opened in append mode.
39500
39501 @item O_RDONLY
39502 The file is opened for reading only.
39503
39504 @item O_WRONLY
39505 The file is opened for writing only.
39506
39507 @item O_RDWR
39508 The file is opened for reading and writing.
39509 @end table
39510
39511 @noindent
39512 Other bits are silently ignored.
39513
39514
39515 @noindent
39516 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39517
39518 @table @code
39519 @item S_IRUSR
39520 User has read permission.
39521
39522 @item S_IWUSR
39523 User has write permission.
39524
39525 @item S_IRGRP
39526 Group has read permission.
39527
39528 @item S_IWGRP
39529 Group has write permission.
39530
39531 @item S_IROTH
39532 Others have read permission.
39533
39534 @item S_IWOTH
39535 Others have write permission.
39536 @end table
39537
39538 @noindent
39539 Other bits are silently ignored.
39540
39541
39542 @item Return value:
39543 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
39544 occurred.
39545
39546 @item Errors:
39547
39548 @table @code
39549 @item EEXIST
39550 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
39551
39552 @item EISDIR
39553 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
39554
39555 @item EACCES
39556 The requested access is not allowed.
39557
39558 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39559 @var{pathname} was too long.
39560
39561 @item ENOENT
39562 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39563
39564 @item ENODEV
39565 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
39566
39567 @item EROFS
39568 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
39569 write access was requested.
39570
39571 @item EFAULT
39572 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
39573
39574 @item ENOSPC
39575 No space on device to create the file.
39576
39577 @item EMFILE
39578 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
39579
39580 @item ENFILE
39581 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
39582 has been reached.
39583
39584 @item EINTR
39585 The call was interrupted by the user.
39586 @end table
39587
39588 @end table
39589
39590 @node close
39591 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
39592 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
39593
39594 @table @asis
39595 @item Synopsis:
39596 @smallexample
39597 int close(int fd);
39598 @end smallexample
39599
39600 @item Request:
39601 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
39602
39603 @item Return value:
39604 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
39605
39606 @item Errors:
39607
39608 @table @code
39609 @item EBADF
39610 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
39611
39612 @item EINTR
39613 The call was interrupted by the user.
39614 @end table
39615
39616 @end table
39617
39618 @node read
39619 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
39620 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
39621
39622 @table @asis
39623 @item Synopsis:
39624 @smallexample
39625 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
39626 @end smallexample
39627
39628 @item Request:
39629 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39630
39631 @item Return value:
39632 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
39633 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
39634 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
39635
39636 @item Errors:
39637
39638 @table @code
39639 @item EBADF
39640 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39641 reading.
39642
39643 @item EFAULT
39644 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39645
39646 @item EINTR
39647 The call was interrupted by the user.
39648 @end table
39649
39650 @end table
39651
39652 @node write
39653 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
39654 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
39655
39656 @table @asis
39657 @item Synopsis:
39658 @smallexample
39659 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
39660 @end smallexample
39661
39662 @item Request:
39663 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39664
39665 @item Return value:
39666 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
39667 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
39668 is returned.
39669
39670 @item Errors:
39671
39672 @table @code
39673 @item EBADF
39674 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39675 writing.
39676
39677 @item EFAULT
39678 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39679
39680 @item EFBIG
39681 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
39682 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
39683
39684 @item ENOSPC
39685 No space on device to write the data.
39686
39687 @item EINTR
39688 The call was interrupted by the user.
39689 @end table
39690
39691 @end table
39692
39693 @node lseek
39694 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
39695 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
39696
39697 @table @asis
39698 @item Synopsis:
39699 @smallexample
39700 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
39701 @end smallexample
39702
39703 @item Request:
39704 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
39705
39706 @var{flag} is one of:
39707
39708 @table @code
39709 @item SEEK_SET
39710 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
39711
39712 @item SEEK_CUR
39713 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
39714 bytes.
39715
39716 @item SEEK_END
39717 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
39718 bytes.
39719 @end table
39720
39721 @item Return value:
39722 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
39723 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
39724 value of -1 is returned.
39725
39726 @item Errors:
39727
39728 @table @code
39729 @item EBADF
39730 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
39731
39732 @item ESPIPE
39733 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
39734
39735 @item EINVAL
39736 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
39737
39738 @item EINTR
39739 The call was interrupted by the user.
39740 @end table
39741
39742 @end table
39743
39744 @node rename
39745 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
39746 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
39747
39748 @table @asis
39749 @item Synopsis:
39750 @smallexample
39751 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
39752 @end smallexample
39753
39754 @item Request:
39755 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
39756
39757 @item Return value:
39758 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39759
39760 @item Errors:
39761
39762 @table @code
39763 @item EISDIR
39764 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
39765 directory.
39766
39767 @item EEXIST
39768 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
39769
39770 @item EBUSY
39771 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
39772 process.
39773
39774 @item EINVAL
39775 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
39776 of itself.
39777
39778 @item ENOTDIR
39779 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
39780 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
39781 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
39782
39783 @item EFAULT
39784 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
39785
39786 @item EACCES
39787 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39788
39789 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39790
39791 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
39792
39793 @item ENOENT
39794 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
39795
39796 @item EROFS
39797 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39798
39799 @item ENOSPC
39800 The device containing the file has no room for the new
39801 directory entry.
39802
39803 @item EINTR
39804 The call was interrupted by the user.
39805 @end table
39806
39807 @end table
39808
39809 @node unlink
39810 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
39811 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
39812
39813 @table @asis
39814 @item Synopsis:
39815 @smallexample
39816 int unlink(const char *pathname);
39817 @end smallexample
39818
39819 @item Request:
39820 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
39821
39822 @item Return value:
39823 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39824
39825 @item Errors:
39826
39827 @table @code
39828 @item EACCES
39829 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39830
39831 @item EPERM
39832 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
39833
39834 @item EBUSY
39835 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
39836 being used by another process.
39837
39838 @item EFAULT
39839 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39840
39841 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39842 @var{pathname} was too long.
39843
39844 @item ENOENT
39845 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39846
39847 @item ENOTDIR
39848 A component of the path is not a directory.
39849
39850 @item EROFS
39851 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39852
39853 @item EINTR
39854 The call was interrupted by the user.
39855 @end table
39856
39857 @end table
39858
39859 @node stat/fstat
39860 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
39861 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
39862 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
39863
39864 @table @asis
39865 @item Synopsis:
39866 @smallexample
39867 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
39868 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
39869 @end smallexample
39870
39871 @item Request:
39872 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
39873 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
39874
39875 @item Return value:
39876 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39877
39878 @item Errors:
39879
39880 @table @code
39881 @item EBADF
39882 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
39883
39884 @item ENOENT
39885 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
39886 path is an empty string.
39887
39888 @item ENOTDIR
39889 A component of the path is not a directory.
39890
39891 @item EFAULT
39892 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39893
39894 @item EACCES
39895 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39896
39897 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39898 @var{pathname} was too long.
39899
39900 @item EINTR
39901 The call was interrupted by the user.
39902 @end table
39903
39904 @end table
39905
39906 @node gettimeofday
39907 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
39908 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
39909
39910 @table @asis
39911 @item Synopsis:
39912 @smallexample
39913 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
39914 @end smallexample
39915
39916 @item Request:
39917 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
39918
39919 @item Return value:
39920 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
39921
39922 @item Errors:
39923
39924 @table @code
39925 @item EINVAL
39926 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
39927
39928 @item EFAULT
39929 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39930 @end table
39931
39932 @end table
39933
39934 @node isatty
39935 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
39936 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
39937
39938 @table @asis
39939 @item Synopsis:
39940 @smallexample
39941 int isatty(int fd);
39942 @end smallexample
39943
39944 @item Request:
39945 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
39946
39947 @item Return value:
39948 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
39949
39950 @item Errors:
39951
39952 @table @code
39953 @item EINTR
39954 The call was interrupted by the user.
39955 @end table
39956
39957 @end table
39958
39959 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
39960 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
39961 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
39962 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
39963 needed.
39964
39965
39966 @node system
39967 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
39968 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
39969
39970 @table @asis
39971 @item Synopsis:
39972 @smallexample
39973 int system(const char *command);
39974 @end smallexample
39975
39976 @item Request:
39977 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
39978
39979 @item Return value:
39980 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39981 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39982 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39983 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39984 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39985 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39986 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39987
39988 @item Errors:
39989
39990 @table @code
39991 @item EINTR
39992 The call was interrupted by the user.
39993 @end table
39994
39995 @end table
39996
39997 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39998 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39999 the host is simplified before it's returned
40000 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
40001 is discarded, and the return value consists
40002 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
40003
40004 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
40005 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
40006 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
40007
40008 @table @code
40009 @item set remote system-call-allowed
40010 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
40011 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
40012 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
40013
40014 @item show remote system-call-allowed
40015 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
40016 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
40017 protocol.
40018 @end table
40019
40020 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40021 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40022 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40023
40024 @menu
40025 * Integral Datatypes::
40026 * Pointer Values::
40027 * Memory Transfer::
40028 * struct stat::
40029 * struct timeval::
40030 @end menu
40031
40032 @node Integral Datatypes
40033 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
40034 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40035
40036 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
40037 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
40038 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
40039
40040 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
40041 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
40042
40043 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
40044
40045 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
40046 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
40047
40048 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
40049
40050 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
40051 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
40052 byte order.
40053
40054 @node Pointer Values
40055 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
40056 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
40057
40058 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
40059 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
40060 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
40061 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
40062
40063 @smallexample
40064 @code{1aaf/12}
40065 @end smallexample
40066
40067 @noindent
40068 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
40069 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
40070 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
40071 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
40072
40073 @smallexample
40074 @code{123456/d}
40075 @end smallexample
40076
40077 @node Memory Transfer
40078 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
40079 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
40080
40081 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
40082 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
40083 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
40084 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
40085 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
40086 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
40087 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
40088
40089
40090 @node struct stat
40091 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
40092 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
40093
40094 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
40095 is defined as follows:
40096
40097 @smallexample
40098 struct stat @{
40099 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
40100 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
40101 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
40102 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
40103 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
40104 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
40105 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
40106 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
40107 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
40108 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
40109 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
40110 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
40111 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
40112 @};
40113 @end smallexample
40114
40115 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40116 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40117 structure is of size 64 bytes.
40118
40119 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
40120 range of values.
40121
40122 @table @code
40123
40124 @item st_dev
40125 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
40126
40127 @item st_ino
40128 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
40129
40130 @item st_mode
40131 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
40132 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
40133
40134 @item st_uid
40135 @itemx st_gid
40136 @itemx st_rdev
40137 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
40138
40139 @item st_atime
40140 @itemx st_mtime
40141 @itemx st_ctime
40142 These values have a host and file system dependent
40143 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
40144 support exact timing values.
40145 @end table
40146
40147 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
40148 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
40149 continuing.
40150
40151 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
40152 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
40153 get truncated on the target.
40154
40155 @node struct timeval
40156 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
40157 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
40158
40159 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
40160 is defined as follows:
40161
40162 @smallexample
40163 struct timeval @{
40164 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
40165 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
40166 @};
40167 @end smallexample
40168
40169 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40170 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40171 structure is of size 8 bytes.
40172
40173 @node Constants
40174 @subsection Constants
40175 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
40176
40177 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
40178 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
40179 values before and after the call as needed.
40180
40181 @menu
40182 * Open Flags::
40183 * mode_t Values::
40184 * Errno Values::
40185 * Lseek Flags::
40186 * Limits::
40187 @end menu
40188
40189 @node Open Flags
40190 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
40191 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
40192
40193 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
40194
40195 @smallexample
40196 O_RDONLY 0x0
40197 O_WRONLY 0x1
40198 O_RDWR 0x2
40199 O_APPEND 0x8
40200 O_CREAT 0x200
40201 O_TRUNC 0x400
40202 O_EXCL 0x800
40203 @end smallexample
40204
40205 @node mode_t Values
40206 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
40207 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
40208
40209 All values are given in octal representation.
40210
40211 @smallexample
40212 S_IFREG 0100000
40213 S_IFDIR 040000
40214 S_IRUSR 0400
40215 S_IWUSR 0200
40216 S_IXUSR 0100
40217 S_IRGRP 040
40218 S_IWGRP 020
40219 S_IXGRP 010
40220 S_IROTH 04
40221 S_IWOTH 02
40222 S_IXOTH 01
40223 @end smallexample
40224
40225 @node Errno Values
40226 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
40227 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
40228
40229 All values are given in decimal representation.
40230
40231 @smallexample
40232 EPERM 1
40233 ENOENT 2
40234 EINTR 4
40235 EBADF 9
40236 EACCES 13
40237 EFAULT 14
40238 EBUSY 16
40239 EEXIST 17
40240 ENODEV 19
40241 ENOTDIR 20
40242 EISDIR 21
40243 EINVAL 22
40244 ENFILE 23
40245 EMFILE 24
40246 EFBIG 27
40247 ENOSPC 28
40248 ESPIPE 29
40249 EROFS 30
40250 ENAMETOOLONG 91
40251 EUNKNOWN 9999
40252 @end smallexample
40253
40254 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
40255 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
40256
40257 @node Lseek Flags
40258 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
40259 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
40260
40261 @smallexample
40262 SEEK_SET 0
40263 SEEK_CUR 1
40264 SEEK_END 2
40265 @end smallexample
40266
40267 @node Limits
40268 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
40269 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
40270
40271 All values are given in decimal representation.
40272
40273 @smallexample
40274 INT_MIN -2147483648
40275 INT_MAX 2147483647
40276 UINT_MAX 4294967295
40277 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
40278 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
40279 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
40280 @end smallexample
40281
40282 @node File-I/O Examples
40283 @subsection File-I/O Examples
40284 @cindex file-i/o examples
40285
40286 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
40287 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
40288
40289 @smallexample
40290 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
40291 @emph{request memory read from target}
40292 -> @code{m1234,6}
40293 <- XXXXXX
40294 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
40295 -> @code{F6}
40296 @end smallexample
40297
40298 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
40299 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
40300
40301 @smallexample
40302 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40303 @emph{request memory write to target}
40304 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40305 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
40306 -> @code{F6}
40307 @end smallexample
40308
40309 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
40310 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
40311
40312 @smallexample
40313 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40314 -> @code{F-1,9}
40315 @end smallexample
40316
40317 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
40318 host is called:
40319
40320 @smallexample
40321 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40322 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
40323 <- @code{T02}
40324 @end smallexample
40325
40326 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
40327 host is called:
40328
40329 @smallexample
40330 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40331 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40332 <- @code{T02}
40333 @end smallexample
40334
40335 @node Library List Format
40336 @section Library List Format
40337 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
40338
40339 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
40340 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
40341 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
40342 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
40343 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
40344 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
40345 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
40346 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
40347 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
40348 are loaded.
40349
40350 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
40351 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
40352 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
40353 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
40354
40355 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
40356 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
40357 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
40358 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
40359 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
40360 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
40361
40362 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40363 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40364
40365 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
40366 offset, looks like this:
40367
40368 @smallexample
40369 <library-list>
40370 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
40371 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
40372 </library>
40373 </library-list>
40374 @end smallexample
40375
40376 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
40377 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
40378
40379 @smallexample
40380 <library-list>
40381 <library name="sharedlib.o">
40382 <section address="0x10000000"/>
40383 <section address="0x20000000"/>
40384 <section address="0x30000000"/>
40385 </library>
40386 </library-list>
40387 @end smallexample
40388
40389 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
40390
40391 @smallexample
40392 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
40393 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
40394 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40395 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
40396 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40397 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
40398 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40399 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
40400 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40401 @end smallexample
40402
40403 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
40404 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
40405 section for each library.
40406
40407 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40408 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40409 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
40410
40411 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
40412 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
40413 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
40414 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
40415
40416 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
40417 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
40418 target, the following parameters are reported:
40419
40420 @itemize @minus
40421 @item
40422 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
40423 @code{struct link_map}.
40424 @item
40425 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
40426 (Thread Local Storage) access.
40427 @item
40428 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
40429 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
40430 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
40431 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
40432 @item
40433 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
40434 @end itemize
40435
40436 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
40437 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
40438 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
40439
40440 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40441 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40442
40443 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
40444 looks like this:
40445
40446 @smallexample
40447 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
40448 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
40449 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
40450 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
40451 l_ld="0x152350"/>
40452 </library-list-svr>
40453 @end smallexample
40454
40455 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
40456
40457 @smallexample
40458 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
40459 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
40460 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40461 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
40462 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
40463 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40464 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
40465 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
40466 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
40467 @end smallexample
40468
40469 @node Memory Map Format
40470 @section Memory Map Format
40471 @cindex memory map format
40472
40473 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
40474 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
40475 memory map.
40476
40477 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
40478 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
40479 lists memory regions.
40480
40481 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40482 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
40483
40484 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40485
40486 @smallexample
40487 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40488 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
40489 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40490 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
40491 <memory-map>
40492 region...
40493 </memory-map>
40494 @end smallexample
40495
40496 Each region can be either:
40497
40498 @itemize
40499
40500 @item
40501 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
40502 bytes from there:
40503
40504 @smallexample
40505 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40506 @end smallexample
40507
40508
40509 @item
40510 A region of read-only memory:
40511
40512 @smallexample
40513 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40514 @end smallexample
40515
40516
40517 @item
40518 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
40519 bytes in length:
40520
40521 @smallexample
40522 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
40523 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
40524 </memory>
40525 @end smallexample
40526
40527 @end itemize
40528
40529 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
40530 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
40531 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
40532
40533 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
40534
40535 @smallexample
40536 <!-- ................................................... -->
40537 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
40538 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
40539 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
40540 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
40541 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
40542 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
40543 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
40544 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
40545 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
40546 and its type, or device. -->
40547 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
40548 start CDATA #REQUIRED
40549 length CDATA #REQUIRED
40550 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
40551 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
40552 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
40553 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40554 @end smallexample
40555
40556 @node Thread List Format
40557 @section Thread List Format
40558 @cindex thread list format
40559
40560 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
40561 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
40562 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
40563 the following structure:
40564
40565 @smallexample
40566 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40567 <threads>
40568 <thread id="id" core="0">
40569 ... description ...
40570 </thread>
40571 </threads>
40572 @end smallexample
40573
40574 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
40575 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
40576 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
40577 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
40578 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
40579
40580 @node Traceframe Info Format
40581 @section Traceframe Info Format
40582 @cindex traceframe info format
40583
40584 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
40585 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
40586 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
40587 collected in a traceframe.
40588
40589 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
40590 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
40591
40592 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40593 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40594
40595 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40596
40597 @smallexample
40598 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40599 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
40600 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40601 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
40602 <traceframe-info>
40603 block...
40604 </traceframe-info>
40605 @end smallexample
40606
40607 Each traceframe block can be either:
40608
40609 @itemize
40610
40611 @item
40612 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
40613 @var{length} bytes from there:
40614
40615 @smallexample
40616 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40617 @end smallexample
40618
40619 @end itemize
40620
40621 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
40622
40623 @smallexample
40624 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
40625 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40626
40627 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
40628 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
40629 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
40630 @end smallexample
40631
40632 @node Branch Trace Format
40633 @section Branch Trace Format
40634 @cindex branch trace format
40635
40636 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
40637 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
40638 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
40639 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
40640
40641 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
40642 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
40643
40644 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40645 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40646
40647 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40648
40649 @smallexample
40650 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40651 <!DOCTYPE btrace
40652 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
40653 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
40654 <btrace>
40655 block...
40656 </btrace>
40657 @end smallexample
40658
40659 @itemize
40660
40661 @item
40662 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
40663 and ending at @var{end}:
40664
40665 @smallexample
40666 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
40667 @end smallexample
40668
40669 @end itemize
40670
40671 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
40672
40673 @smallexample
40674 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
40675 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40676
40677 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
40678 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
40679 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
40680 @end smallexample
40681
40682 @include agentexpr.texi
40683
40684 @node Target Descriptions
40685 @appendix Target Descriptions
40686 @cindex target descriptions
40687
40688 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
40689 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
40690 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
40691 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
40692 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
40693 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
40694 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
40695
40696 @itemize @bullet
40697 @item
40698 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
40699 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
40700 @item
40701 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
40702 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
40703 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
40704 @item
40705 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
40706 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
40707 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
40708 @end itemize
40709
40710 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
40711 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
40712 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
40713 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
40714 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
40715
40716 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40717 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
40718
40719 @menu
40720 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
40721 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
40722 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
40723 descriptions.
40724 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
40725 @end menu
40726
40727 @node Retrieving Descriptions
40728 @section Retrieving Descriptions
40729
40730 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
40731 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
40732 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
40733 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
40734 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
40735 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
40736 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
40737 Format}.
40738
40739 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
40740 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
40741 specify a file are:
40742
40743 @table @code
40744 @cindex set tdesc filename
40745 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
40746 Read the target description from @var{path}.
40747
40748 @cindex unset tdesc filename
40749 @item unset tdesc filename
40750 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
40751 will use the description supplied by the current target.
40752
40753 @cindex show tdesc filename
40754 @item show tdesc filename
40755 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
40756 @end table
40757
40758
40759 @node Target Description Format
40760 @section Target Description Format
40761 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
40762
40763 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
40764 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
40765 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
40766 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
40767 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
40768 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
40769 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
40770
40771 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
40772 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
40773 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
40774 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
40775 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
40776
40777 Here is a simple target description:
40778
40779 @smallexample
40780 <target version="1.0">
40781 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
40782 </target>
40783 @end smallexample
40784
40785 @noindent
40786 This minimal description only says that the target uses
40787 the x86-64 architecture.
40788
40789 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
40790 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
40791 are explained further below.
40792
40793 @smallexample
40794 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40795 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
40796 <target version="1.0">
40797 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
40798 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
40799 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
40800 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
40801 </target>
40802 @end smallexample
40803
40804 @noindent
40805 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
40806 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
40807 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
40808 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
40809 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
40810 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
40811 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
40812 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
40813 the version mismatch.
40814
40815 @subsection Inclusion
40816 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
40817 @cindex XInclude
40818 @ifnotinfo
40819 @cindex <xi:include>
40820 @end ifnotinfo
40821
40822 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
40823 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
40824 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
40825 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
40826 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
40827
40828 @smallexample
40829 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
40830 @end smallexample
40831
40832 @noindent
40833 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
40834 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
40835 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
40836 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
40837 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
40838 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
40839 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
40840 original description.
40841
40842 @subsection Architecture
40843 @cindex <architecture>
40844
40845 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
40846
40847 @smallexample
40848 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
40849 @end smallexample
40850
40851 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40852 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40853
40854 @subsection OS ABI
40855 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
40856
40857 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40858 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40859
40860 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
40861
40862 @smallexample
40863 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
40864 @end smallexample
40865
40866 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
40867 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
40868
40869 @subsection Compatible Architecture
40870 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
40871
40872 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40873 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40874
40875 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
40876
40877 @smallexample
40878 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
40879 @end smallexample
40880
40881 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40882 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40883
40884 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
40885 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
40886 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
40887 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
40888 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
40889 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
40890 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
40891
40892 @smallexample
40893 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
40894 <compatible>spu</compatible>
40895 @end smallexample
40896
40897 @subsection Features
40898 @cindex <feature>
40899
40900 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
40901 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
40902 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
40903 has this form:
40904
40905 @smallexample
40906 <feature name="@var{name}">
40907 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
40908 @var{reg}@dots{}
40909 </feature>
40910 @end smallexample
40911
40912 @noindent
40913 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
40914 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
40915 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
40916 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
40917
40918 @subsection Types
40919
40920 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
40921 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
40922 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
40923 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
40924 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
40925
40926 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
40927 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
40928 Types must be defined before they are used.
40929
40930 @cindex <vector>
40931 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
40932 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
40933 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
40934 @var{count}:
40935
40936 @smallexample
40937 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
40938 @end smallexample
40939
40940 @cindex <union>
40941 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
40942 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
40943 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
40944 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
40945
40946 @smallexample
40947 <union id="@var{id}">
40948 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40949 @dots{}
40950 </union>
40951 @end smallexample
40952
40953 @cindex <struct>
40954 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
40955 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
40956 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
40957 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
40958 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
40959 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
40960 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
40961 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
40962
40963 @smallexample
40964 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40965 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40966 @dots{}
40967 </struct>
40968 @end smallexample
40969
40970 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
40971 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
40972
40973 @smallexample
40974 <struct id="@var{id}">
40975 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40976 @dots{}
40977 </struct>
40978 @end smallexample
40979
40980 @cindex <flags>
40981 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
40982 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
40983 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
40984 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
40985 are supported.
40986
40987 @smallexample
40988 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40989 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40990 @dots{}
40991 </flags>
40992 @end smallexample
40993
40994 @subsection Registers
40995 @cindex <reg>
40996
40997 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
40998
40999 @smallexample
41000 <reg name="@var{name}"
41001 bitsize="@var{size}"
41002 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
41003 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
41004 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
41005 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
41006 @end smallexample
41007
41008 @noindent
41009 The components are as follows:
41010
41011 @table @var
41012
41013 @item name
41014 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
41015
41016 @item bitsize
41017 The register's size, in bits.
41018
41019 @item regnum
41020 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
41021 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
41022 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
41023 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
41024 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
41025 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
41026 in order of increasing register number.
41027
41028 @item save-restore
41029 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
41030 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
41031 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
41032 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
41033 ABI.
41034
41035 @item type
41036 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
41037 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
41038 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
41039 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
41040 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
41041 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
41042
41043 @item group
41044 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
41045 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
41046 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
41047 in @code{info registers}.
41048
41049 @end table
41050
41051 @node Predefined Target Types
41052 @section Predefined Target Types
41053 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
41054
41055 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
41056 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
41057 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
41058 types. The currently supported types are:
41059
41060 @table @code
41061
41062 @item int8
41063 @itemx int16
41064 @itemx int32
41065 @itemx int64
41066 @itemx int128
41067 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
41068
41069 @item uint8
41070 @itemx uint16
41071 @itemx uint32
41072 @itemx uint64
41073 @itemx uint128
41074 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
41075
41076 @item code_ptr
41077 @itemx data_ptr
41078 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
41079 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
41080 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
41081 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
41082 may be marked as data pointers.
41083
41084 @item ieee_single
41085 Single precision IEEE floating point.
41086
41087 @item ieee_double
41088 Double precision IEEE floating point.
41089
41090 @item arm_fpa_ext
41091 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
41092
41093 @item i387_ext
41094 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
41095
41096 @item i386_eflags
41097 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
41098
41099 @item i386_mxcsr
41100 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
41101
41102 @end table
41103
41104 @node Standard Target Features
41105 @section Standard Target Features
41106 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
41107
41108 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
41109 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
41110 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
41111 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
41112 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
41113 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
41114 can recognize them.
41115
41116 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
41117 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
41118 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
41119 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
41120 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
41121 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
41122 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
41123 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
41124
41125 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
41126 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
41127 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
41128
41129 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
41130 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
41131 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
41132 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
41133
41134 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
41135 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
41136 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
41137
41138 @menu
41139 * AArch64 Features::
41140 * ARM Features::
41141 * i386 Features::
41142 * MIPS Features::
41143 * M68K Features::
41144 * PowerPC Features::
41145 * TIC6x Features::
41146 @end menu
41147
41148
41149 @node AArch64 Features
41150 @subsection AArch64 Features
41151 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
41152
41153 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
41154 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
41155 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
41156
41157 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
41158 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
41159 and @samp{fpcr}.
41160
41161 @node ARM Features
41162 @subsection ARM Features
41163 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
41164
41165 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
41166 ARM targets.
41167 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
41168 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
41169
41170 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
41171 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
41172 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
41173 and @samp{xpsr}.
41174
41175 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
41176 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
41177
41178 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
41179 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
41180 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
41181 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
41182
41183 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
41184 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
41185 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
41186 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
41187 halves of the double-precision registers.
41188
41189 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
41190 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
41191 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
41192 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
41193 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
41194 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
41195
41196 @node i386 Features
41197 @subsection i386 Features
41198 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
41199
41200 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
41201 targets. It should describe the following registers:
41202
41203 @itemize @minus
41204 @item
41205 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
41206 @item
41207 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
41208 @item
41209 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
41210 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
41211 @item
41212 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
41213 @item
41214 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
41215 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
41216 @end itemize
41217
41218 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
41219
41220 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
41221 describe registers:
41222
41223 @itemize @minus
41224 @item
41225 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
41226 @item
41227 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
41228 @item
41229 @samp{mxcsr}
41230 @end itemize
41231
41232 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
41233 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
41234 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
41235
41236 @itemize @minus
41237 @item
41238 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
41239 @item
41240 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
41241 @end itemize
41242
41243 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
41244 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
41245
41246 @node MIPS Features
41247 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
41248 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
41249
41250 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
41251 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
41252 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
41253 on the target.
41254
41255 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
41256 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
41257 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41258
41259 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
41260 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
41261 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
41262 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41263
41264 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
41265 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
41266 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
41267 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41268
41269 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
41270 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
41271 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
41272
41273 @node M68K Features
41274 @subsection M68K Features
41275 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
41276
41277 @table @code
41278 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
41279 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
41280 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
41281 One of those features must be always present.
41282 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
41283 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
41284 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
41285 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
41286
41287 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
41288 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
41289 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
41290 @samp{fpiaddr}.
41291 @end table
41292
41293 @node PowerPC Features
41294 @subsection PowerPC Features
41295 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
41296
41297 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
41298 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
41299 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
41300 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41301
41302 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
41303 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
41304
41305 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
41306 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
41307 and @samp{vrsave}.
41308
41309 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
41310 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
41311 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
41312 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
41313 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
41314 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
41315
41316 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
41317 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
41318 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
41319 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
41320 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
41321 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
41322 user.
41323
41324 @node TIC6x Features
41325 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
41326 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
41327 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
41328 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
41329 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
41330 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
41331
41332 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
41333 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
41334 through @samp{B31}.
41335
41336 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
41337 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
41338
41339 @node Operating System Information
41340 @appendix Operating System Information
41341 @cindex operating system information
41342
41343 @menu
41344 * Process list::
41345 @end menu
41346
41347 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
41348 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
41349 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
41350 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
41351 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
41352 on a different aspect of target.
41353
41354 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
41355 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
41356 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
41357 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
41358
41359 @node Process list
41360 @appendixsection Process list
41361 @cindex operating system information, process list
41362
41363 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
41364 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
41365 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
41366 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
41367
41368 An example document is:
41369
41370 @smallexample
41371 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41372 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
41373 <osdata type="processes">
41374 <item>
41375 <column name="pid">1</column>
41376 <column name="user">root</column>
41377 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
41378 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
41379 </item>
41380 </osdata>
41381 @end smallexample
41382
41383 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
41384 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
41385 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
41386 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
41387 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
41388 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
41389 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
41390
41391 @node Trace File Format
41392 @appendix Trace File Format
41393 @cindex trace file format
41394
41395 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
41396 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
41397
41398 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
41399 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
41400 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
41401 in the future.
41402
41403 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
41404 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
41405 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
41406 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
41407 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
41408 of this section.
41409
41410 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
41411
41412 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
41413 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
41414 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
41415 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
41416 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
41417 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
41418 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
41419 endianness.
41420
41421 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
41422
41423 @table @code
41424 @item R @var{bytes}
41425 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
41426 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
41427 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
41428 hexadecimal encoding.
41429
41430 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
41431 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
41432 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
41433 @var{length} bytes.
41434
41435 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
41436 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
41437 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
41438
41439 @end table
41440
41441 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
41442 of blocks.
41443
41444 @node Index Section Format
41445 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
41446 @cindex .gdb_index section format
41447 @cindex index section format
41448
41449 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
41450 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
41451 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
41452 description.
41453
41454 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
41455 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
41456 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
41457 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
41458 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
41459 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
41460
41461 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
41462
41463 @enumerate
41464 @item
41465 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
41466 unless otherwise noted:
41467
41468 @enumerate
41469 @item
41470 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
41471 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
41472 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
41473 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
41474 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
41475 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
41476 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
41477
41478 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
41479 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
41480 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
41481 currently not flagged as deprecated.
41482
41483 @item
41484 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
41485
41486 @item
41487 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
41488 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
41489 to the next offset.
41490
41491 @item
41492 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
41493
41494 @item
41495 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
41496
41497 @item
41498 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
41499 @end enumerate
41500
41501 @item
41502 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
41503 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
41504 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
41505 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
41506 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
41507 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
41508 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
41509 CU indices.
41510
41511 @item
41512 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
41513 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
41514 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
41515 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
41516
41517 @item
41518 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
41519 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
41520
41521 @enumerate
41522 @item
41523 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
41524
41525 @item
41526 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
41527 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
41528
41529 @item
41530 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
41531 @end enumerate
41532
41533 @item
41534 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
41535 the hash table is always a power of 2.
41536
41537 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
41538 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
41539 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
41540 constant pool.
41541
41542 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
41543 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
41544 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
41545
41546 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
41547 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
41548 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
41549 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
41550 index version:
41551
41552 @table @asis
41553 @item Version 4
41554 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
41555
41556 @item Versions 5 to 7
41557 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
41558 @end table
41559
41560 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
41561
41562 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
41563 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
41564 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
41565 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
41566 collision.
41567
41568 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
41569 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
41570 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
41571 the code.
41572
41573 @item
41574 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
41575 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
41576 strings.
41577
41578 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
41579 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
41580 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
41581 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
41582 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
41583 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
41584
41585 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
41586 @end enumerate
41587
41588 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
41589 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
41590 CU index+attributes value for each use.
41591
41592 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
41593 (bit 0 = LSB):
41594
41595 @table @asis
41596
41597 @item Bits 0-23
41598 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
41599 @item Bits 24-27
41600 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
41601 @item Bits 28-30
41602 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
41603
41604 @table @asis
41605 @item 0
41606 This value is reserved and should not be used.
41607 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
41608 with previous versions of the index.
41609 @item 1
41610 The symbol is a type.
41611 @item 2
41612 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
41613 @item 3
41614 The symbol is a function.
41615 @item 4
41616 Any other kind of symbol.
41617 @item 5,6,7
41618 These values are reserved.
41619 @end table
41620
41621 @item Bit 31
41622 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
41623
41624 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
41625 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
41626 @value{GDBN} sources.
41627
41628 @end table
41629
41630 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
41631 global/static attributes in the index.
41632
41633 @smallexample
41634 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
41635 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
41636 switch (die->tag)
41637 @{
41638 case DW_TAG_typedef:
41639 case DW_TAG_base_type:
41640 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
41641 kind = TYPE;
41642 is_static = 1;
41643 break;
41644 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
41645 kind = VARIABLE;
41646 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41647 break;
41648 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
41649 kind = FUNCTION;
41650 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
41651 break;
41652 case DW_TAG_constant:
41653 kind = VARIABLE;
41654 is_static = ! is_external;
41655 break;
41656 case DW_TAG_variable:
41657 kind = VARIABLE;
41658 is_static = ! is_external;
41659 break;
41660 case DW_TAG_namespace:
41661 kind = TYPE;
41662 is_static = 0;
41663 break;
41664 case DW_TAG_class_type:
41665 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
41666 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
41667 case DW_TAG_union_type:
41668 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
41669 kind = TYPE;
41670 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41671 break;
41672 default:
41673 assert (0);
41674 @}
41675 @end smallexample
41676
41677 @node Man Pages
41678 @appendix Manual pages
41679 @cindex Man pages
41680
41681 @menu
41682 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
41683 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
41684 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
41685 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
41686 @end menu
41687
41688 @node gdb man
41689 @heading gdb man
41690
41691 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
41692
41693 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
41694 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
41695 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
41696 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
41697 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
41698 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
41699 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
41700 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
41701 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
41702 @c man end
41703
41704 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
41705 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
41706 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
41707 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
41708
41709 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
41710 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
41711
41712 @itemize @bullet
41713 @item
41714 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
41715
41716 @item
41717 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
41718
41719 @item
41720 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
41721
41722 @item
41723 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
41724 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
41725 @end itemize
41726
41727 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
41728 Modula-2.
41729
41730 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
41731 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
41732 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
41733 by using the command @code{help}.
41734
41735 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
41736 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
41737 executable program as the argument:
41738
41739 @smallexample
41740 gdb program
41741 @end smallexample
41742
41743 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
41744
41745 @smallexample
41746 gdb program core
41747 @end smallexample
41748
41749 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
41750 to debug a running process:
41751
41752 @smallexample
41753 gdb program 1234
41754 gdb -p 1234
41755 @end smallexample
41756
41757 @noindent
41758 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
41759 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
41760 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
41761
41762 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
41763
41764 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
41765 @table @env
41766 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
41767 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
41768
41769 @item run [@var{arglist}]
41770 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
41771
41772 @item bt
41773 Backtrace: display the program stack.
41774
41775 @item print @var{expr}
41776 Display the value of an expression.
41777
41778 @item c
41779 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
41780
41781 @item next
41782 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
41783 function calls in the line.
41784
41785 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41786 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
41787
41788 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41789 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
41790
41791 @item step
41792 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
41793 function calls in the line.
41794
41795 @item help [@var{name}]
41796 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
41797 about using @value{GDBN}.
41798
41799 @item quit
41800 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
41801 @end table
41802
41803 @ifset man
41804 For full details on @value{GDBN},
41805 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41806 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
41807 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
41808 @end ifset
41809 @c man end
41810
41811 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
41812 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
41813 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
41814 encountered with no
41815 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
41816 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
41817 Many options have
41818 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
41819 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
41820 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
41821 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
41822 more usual convention.)
41823
41824 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
41825 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
41826 option is used.
41827
41828 @table @env
41829 @item -help
41830 @itemx -h
41831 List all options, with brief explanations.
41832
41833 @item -symbols=@var{file}
41834 @itemx -s @var{file}
41835 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
41836
41837 @item -write
41838 Enable writing into executable and core files.
41839
41840 @item -exec=@var{file}
41841 @itemx -e @var{file}
41842 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
41843 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
41844 dump.
41845
41846 @item -se=@var{file}
41847 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
41848 file.
41849
41850 @item -core=@var{file}
41851 @itemx -c @var{file}
41852 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
41853
41854 @item -command=@var{file}
41855 @itemx -x @var{file}
41856 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
41857
41858 @item -ex @var{command}
41859 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
41860
41861 @item -directory=@var{directory}
41862 @itemx -d @var{directory}
41863 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
41864
41865 @item -nh
41866 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
41867
41868 @item -nx
41869 @itemx -n
41870 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
41871
41872 @item -quiet
41873 @itemx -q
41874 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
41875 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
41876
41877 @item -batch
41878 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
41879 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
41880 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
41881 commands in the command files.
41882
41883 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
41884 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
41885 more useful, the message
41886
41887 @smallexample
41888 Program exited normally.
41889 @end smallexample
41890
41891 @noindent
41892 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
41893 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
41894
41895 @item -cd=@var{directory}
41896 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
41897 instead of the current directory.
41898
41899 @item -fullname
41900 @itemx -f
41901 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
41902 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
41903 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
41904 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
41905 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
41906 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
41907 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
41908 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
41909
41910 @item -b @var{bps}
41911 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
41912 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
41913
41914 @item -tty=@var{device}
41915 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
41916 @end table
41917 @c man end
41918
41919 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
41920 @ifset man
41921 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41922 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41923 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41924
41925 @smallexample
41926 info gdb
41927 @end smallexample
41928
41929 @noindent
41930 should give you access to the complete manual.
41931
41932 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41933 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41934 @end ifset
41935 @c man end
41936
41937 @node gdbserver man
41938 @heading gdbserver man
41939
41940 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
41941 @format
41942 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
41943 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
41944
41945 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41946
41947 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41948 @c man end
41949 @end format
41950
41951 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
41952 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
41953 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
41954
41955 @ifclear man
41956 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
41957 @end ifclear
41958 @ifset man
41959 Usage (server (target) side):
41960 @end ifset
41961
41962 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
41963 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
41964 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
41965 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
41966
41967 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
41968 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
41969 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
41970
41971 @smallexample
41972 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
41973 @end smallexample
41974
41975 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
41976
41977 @smallexample
41978 @ifset man
41979 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
41980 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
41981 @end ifset
41982 @ifclear man
41983 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
41984 @end ifclear
41985 @end smallexample
41986
41987 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
41988 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
41989 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
41990
41991 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
41992
41993 @smallexample
41994 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
41995 @end smallexample
41996
41997 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
41998 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
41999 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
42000 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
42001 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
42002 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
42003 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
42004 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
42005 print an error message and exit.
42006
42007 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
42008 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
42009
42010 @smallexample
42011 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42012 @end smallexample
42013
42014 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42015 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42016
42017 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42018 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
42019 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
42020 the program you want to debug.
42021
42022 @smallexample
42023 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42024 @end smallexample
42025
42026 @ifclear man
42027 @subheading Usage (host side)
42028 @end ifclear
42029 @ifset man
42030 Usage (host side):
42031 @end ifset
42032
42033 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
42034 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
42035 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
42036 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
42037 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
42038 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
42039 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
42040 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
42041 descriptor. For example:
42042
42043 @smallexample
42044 @ifset man
42045 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
42046 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
42047 @end ifset
42048 @ifclear man
42049 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
42050 @end ifclear
42051 @end smallexample
42052
42053 @noindent
42054 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
42055
42056 @smallexample
42057 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
42058 @end smallexample
42059
42060 @noindent
42061 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
42062 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
42063 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
42064 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
42065 `Connection refused'.
42066
42067 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
42068 described in
42069 @ifset man
42070 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
42071 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
42072 @end ifset
42073 @ifclear man
42074 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
42075 @end ifclear
42076 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
42077
42078 @smallexample
42079 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
42080 @end smallexample
42081
42082 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
42083 case.
42084 @c man end
42085
42086 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
42087 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
42088
42089 @itemize @bullet
42090
42091 @item
42092 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
42093
42094 @smallexample
42095 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42096 @end smallexample
42097
42098 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
42099 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
42100 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
42101 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
42102 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
42103 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
42104 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
42105
42106 @item
42107 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
42108 program:
42109
42110 @smallexample
42111 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42112 @end smallexample
42113
42114 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
42115 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
42116 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
42117 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
42118
42119 @item
42120 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
42121
42122 @smallexample
42123 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42124 @end smallexample
42125
42126 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
42127 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
42128 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
42129 debug several processes in the same session.
42130 @end itemize
42131
42132 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
42133
42134 @table @env
42135
42136 @item --help
42137 List all options, with brief explanations.
42138
42139 @item --version
42140 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
42141
42142 @item --attach
42143 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
42144
42145 @smallexample
42146 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42147 @end smallexample
42148
42149 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42150 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42151
42152 @item --multi
42153 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42154 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
42155 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
42156 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
42157
42158 @smallexample
42159 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42160 @end smallexample
42161
42162 @item --debug
42163 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
42164 process.
42165 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
42166 the developers.
42167
42168 @item --remote-debug
42169 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
42170 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
42171 the developers.
42172
42173 @item --wrapper
42174 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
42175 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
42176 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
42177 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
42178
42179 @item --once
42180 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
42181 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
42182 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
42183 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
42184
42185 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
42186
42187 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
42188 @c QDisableRandomization.
42189
42190 @end table
42191 @c man end
42192
42193 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
42194 @ifset man
42195 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42196 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42197 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42198
42199 @smallexample
42200 info gdb
42201 @end smallexample
42202
42203 should give you access to the complete manual.
42204
42205 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42206 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42207 @end ifset
42208 @c man end
42209
42210 @node gcore man
42211 @heading gcore
42212
42213 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
42214
42215 @format
42216 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
42217 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
42218 @c man end
42219 @end format
42220
42221 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
42222 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
42223 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
42224 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
42225 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
42226 running without any change.
42227 @c man end
42228
42229 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
42230 @table @env
42231 @item -o @var{filename}
42232 The optional argument
42233 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
42234 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
42235 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
42236 @end table
42237 @c man end
42238
42239 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
42240 @ifset man
42241 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42242 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42243 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42244
42245 @smallexample
42246 info gdb
42247 @end smallexample
42248
42249 @noindent
42250 should give you access to the complete manual.
42251
42252 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42253 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42254 @end ifset
42255 @c man end
42256
42257 @node gdbinit man
42258 @heading gdbinit
42259
42260 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
42261
42262 @format
42263 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
42264 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42265 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
42266 @end ifset
42267
42268 ~/.gdbinit
42269
42270 ./.gdbinit
42271 @c man end
42272 @end format
42273
42274 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
42275 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
42276 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
42277 described in
42278 @ifset man
42279 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
42280 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
42281 @end ifset
42282 @ifclear man
42283 @ref{Sequences}.
42284 @end ifclear
42285
42286 Please read more in
42287 @ifset man
42288 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
42289 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
42290 @end ifset
42291 @ifclear man
42292 @ref{Startup}.
42293 @end ifclear
42294
42295 @table @env
42296 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42297 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
42298 @end ifset
42299 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42300 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
42301 @end ifclear
42302 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
42303 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
42304 See more in
42305 @ifset man
42306 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
42307 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
42308 @end ifset
42309 @ifclear man
42310 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
42311 @end ifclear
42312
42313 @item ~/.gdbinit
42314 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
42315 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
42316
42317 @item ./.gdbinit
42318 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
42319 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
42320 See more in
42321 @ifset man
42322 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
42323 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
42324 @end ifset
42325 @ifclear man
42326 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
42327 @end ifclear
42328 @end table
42329 @c man end
42330
42331 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
42332 @ifset man
42333 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
42334
42335 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42336 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42337 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42338
42339 @smallexample
42340 info gdb
42341 @end smallexample
42342
42343 should give you access to the complete manual.
42344
42345 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42346 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42347 @end ifset
42348 @c man end
42349
42350 @include gpl.texi
42351
42352 @node GNU Free Documentation License
42353 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
42354 @include fdl.texi
42355
42356 @node Concept Index
42357 @unnumbered Concept Index
42358
42359 @printindex cp
42360
42361 @node Command and Variable Index
42362 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
42363
42364 @printindex fn
42365
42366 @tex
42367 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
42368 % meantime:
42369 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
42370 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
42371 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
42372 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
42373 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
42374 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
42375 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
42376 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
42377 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
42378 \page\colophon
42379 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
42380 @end tex
42381
42382 @bye