]> git.ipfire.org Git - thirdparty/binutils-gdb.git/blob - gdb/doc/gdb.texinfo
2010-06-18 Stan Shebs <stan@codesourcery.com>
[thirdparty/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
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 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181 * Index:: Index
182 @end menu
183
184 @end ifnottex
185
186 @contents
187
188 @node Summary
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198 @itemize @bullet
199 @item
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202 @item
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205 @item
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208 @item
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211 @end itemize
212
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
218 @ref{D,,D}.
219
220 @cindex Modula-2
221 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
222 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
223
224 @cindex Pascal
225 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
226 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
227 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
228 syntax.
229
230 @cindex Fortran
231 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
232 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
233 underscore.
234
235 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
236 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
237
238 @menu
239 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
240 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
241 @end menu
242
243 @node Free Software
244 @unnumberedsec Free Software
245
246 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
247 General Public License
248 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
249 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
250 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
251 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
252 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
253 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
254
255 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
256 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
257 from anyone else.
258
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
260
261 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
262 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
263 include with the free software. Many of our most important
264 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
265 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
266 when an important free software package does not come with a free
267 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
268 gaps today.
269
270 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
271 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
272 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
273 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
274 them from the free software world.
275
276 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
277 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
278 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
279 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
280 contract to make it non-free.
281
282 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
283 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
284 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
285 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
286 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
287 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
288 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
289
290 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
291 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
292 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
293 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
294
295 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
296 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
297 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
298 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
299 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
300 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
301 community.
302
303 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
304 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
305 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
306 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
307 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
308 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
309 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
310 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
311 of the manual.
312
313 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
314 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
315 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
316 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
317 manual to replace it.
318
319 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
320 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
321 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
322 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
323 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
324 the free software community.
325
326 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
327 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
328 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
329 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
330 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
331 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
332 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
333 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
334 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
335
336 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
337 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
338 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
339 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
340 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
341 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
342 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
343 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
344
345 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
346 published by other publishers, at
347 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
348
349 @node Contributors
350 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
351
352 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
353 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
354 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
355 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
356 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
357 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
358 blow-by-blow account.
359
360 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
361
362 @quotation
363 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
364 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
365 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
366 @end quotation
367
368 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
369 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
370 releases:
371 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
372 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
373 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
374 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
375 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
376 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
377 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
378 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
379 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
380
381 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
382 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
383
384 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
385 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
386 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
387 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
388 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
389
390 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
391 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
392 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
393
394 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
395 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
396
397 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
398
399 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
400 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
401 support.
402 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
403 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
404 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
405 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
406 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
407 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
408 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
409 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
410 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
411 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
412 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
413 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
414 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
415 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
416 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
417 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
418
419 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
420
421 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
422 libraries.
423
424 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
425 about several machine instruction sets.
426
427 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
428 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
429 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
430 and RDI targets, respectively.
431
432 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
433 command-line editing and command history.
434
435 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
436 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
437
438 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
439 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
440 symbols.
441
442 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
443 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
444
445 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
446
447 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
448 processors.
449
450 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
451
452 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
453
454 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
455
456 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
457 watchpoints.
458
459 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
460
461 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
462
463 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
464 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
465
466 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
467 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
468 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
469 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
470 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
471 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
472 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
473
474 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
475 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
476
477 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
478 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
479 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
480 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
481 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
482 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
483 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
484 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
485 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
486 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
487 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
488 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
489 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
490 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
491 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
492
493 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
494 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
495
496 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
497 Hat.
498
499 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
500 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
501 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
502 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
503 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
504 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
505
506 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
507 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
508 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
509 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
510 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
511 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
512 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
513 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
514 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
515 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
516 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
517 Weigand.
518
519 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
520 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
521 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
522 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
523
524 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
525 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
526
527 @node Sample Session
528 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
529
530 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
531 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
532 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
533
534 @iftex
535 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
536 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
537 @end iftex
538
539 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
540 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
541
542 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
543 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
544 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
545 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
546 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
547 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
548 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
549 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
550 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
551
552 @smallexample
553 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
554 $ @b{./m4}
555 @b{define(foo,0000)}
556
557 @b{foo}
558 0000
559 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
560
561 @b{bar}
562 0000
563 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
564
565 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
566 @b{baz}
567 @b{Ctrl-d}
568 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
569 @end smallexample
570
571 @noindent
572 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
573
574 @smallexample
575 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
576 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
577 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
578 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
579 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
580 the conditions.
581 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
582 for details.
583
584 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
585 (@value{GDBP})
586 @end smallexample
587
588 @noindent
589 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
590 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
591 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
592 that examples fit in this manual.
593
594 @smallexample
595 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
596 @end smallexample
597
598 @noindent
599 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
600 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
601 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
602 @code{break} command.
603
604 @smallexample
605 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
606 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
607 @end smallexample
608
609 @noindent
610 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
611 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
612 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
613
614 @smallexample
615 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
616 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
617 @b{define(foo,0000)}
618
619 @b{foo}
620 0000
621 @end smallexample
622
623 @noindent
624 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
625 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
626 context where it stops.
627
628 @smallexample
629 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
630
631 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
632 at builtin.c:879
633 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
634 @end smallexample
635
636 @noindent
637 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
638 the next line of the current function.
639
640 @smallexample
641 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
642 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
643 : nil,
644 @end smallexample
645
646 @noindent
647 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
648 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
649 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
650 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
651
652 @smallexample
653 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
654 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
655 at input.c:530
656 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
657 @end smallexample
658
659 @noindent
660 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
661 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
662 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
663 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
664 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
665 stack frame for each active subroutine.
666
667 @smallexample
668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
669 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
670 at input.c:530
671 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
672 at builtin.c:882
673 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
674 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
675 at macro.c:71
676 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
677 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
678 @end smallexample
679
680 @noindent
681 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
682 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
683 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
684
685 @smallexample
686 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
687 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
688 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
689 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
690 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
692 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
693 : xstrdup(rq);
694 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
695 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
696 @end smallexample
697
698 @noindent
699 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
700 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
701 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
702 (@code{print}) to see their values.
703
704 @smallexample
705 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
706 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
708 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
709 @end smallexample
710
711 @noindent
712 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
713 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
714 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
715
716 @smallexample
717 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
718 533 xfree(rquote);
719 534
720 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
721 : xstrdup (lq);
722 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
723 : xstrdup (rq);
724 537
725 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
726 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
727 540 @}
728 541
729 542 void
730 @end smallexample
731
732 @noindent
733 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
734 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
735
736 @smallexample
737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
738 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
740 540 @}
741 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
742 $3 = 9
743 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
744 $4 = 7
745 @end smallexample
746
747 @noindent
748 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
749 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
750 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
751 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
752 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
753 assignments.
754
755 @smallexample
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
757 $5 = 7
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
759 $6 = 9
760 @end smallexample
761
762 @noindent
763 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
764 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
765 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
766 example that caused trouble initially:
767
768 @smallexample
769 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
770 Continuing.
771
772 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
773
774 baz
775 0000
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
780 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
781 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
782
783 @smallexample
784 @b{Ctrl-d}
785 Program exited normally.
786 @end smallexample
787
788 @noindent
789 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
790 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
791 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
792
793 @smallexample
794 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
795 @end smallexample
796
797 @node Invocation
798 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
799
800 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
801 The essentials are:
802 @itemize @bullet
803 @item
804 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
805 @item
806 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
807 @end itemize
808
809 @menu
810 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
811 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
812 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
813 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
814 @end menu
815
816 @node Invoking GDB
817 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
818
819 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
820 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
821
822 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
823 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
824
825 The command-line options described here are designed
826 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
827 options may effectively be unavailable.
828
829 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
830 specifying an executable program:
831
832 @smallexample
833 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
834 @end smallexample
835
836 @noindent
837 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
838 specified:
839
840 @smallexample
841 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
842 @end smallexample
843
844 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
845 to debug a running process:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
849 @end smallexample
850
851 @noindent
852 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
853 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
854
855 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
856 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
857 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
858 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
859 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
860
861 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
862 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
863 option processing.
864 @smallexample
865 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
866 @end smallexample
867 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
868 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
869
870 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
871 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
872
873 @smallexample
874 @value{GDBP} -silent
875 @end smallexample
876
877 @noindent
878 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
879 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
880
881 @noindent
882 Type
883
884 @smallexample
885 @value{GDBP} -help
886 @end smallexample
887
888 @noindent
889 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
890 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
891
892 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
893 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
894 @samp{-x} option is used.
895
896
897 @menu
898 * File Options:: Choosing files
899 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
900 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
901 @end menu
902
903 @node File Options
904 @subsection Choosing Files
905
906 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
907 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
908 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
909 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
910 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
911 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
912 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
913 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
914 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
915 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
916 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
917 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
918 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
919
920 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
921 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
922 argument and ignore it.
923
924 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
925 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
926 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
927 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
928 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
929
930 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
931 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
932 @c it.
933
934 @table @code
935 @item -symbols @var{file}
936 @itemx -s @var{file}
937 @cindex @code{--symbols}
938 @cindex @code{-s}
939 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
940
941 @item -exec @var{file}
942 @itemx -e @var{file}
943 @cindex @code{--exec}
944 @cindex @code{-e}
945 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
946 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
947
948 @item -se @var{file}
949 @cindex @code{--se}
950 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
951 file.
952
953 @item -core @var{file}
954 @itemx -c @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--core}
956 @cindex @code{-c}
957 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
958
959 @item -pid @var{number}
960 @itemx -p @var{number}
961 @cindex @code{--pid}
962 @cindex @code{-p}
963 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
964
965 @item -command @var{file}
966 @itemx -x @var{file}
967 @cindex @code{--command}
968 @cindex @code{-x}
969 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
970 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
971 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
972
973 @item -eval-command @var{command}
974 @itemx -ex @var{command}
975 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
976 @cindex @code{-ex}
977 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
978
979 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
980 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
981
982 @smallexample
983 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
984 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
985 @end smallexample
986
987 @item -directory @var{directory}
988 @itemx -d @var{directory}
989 @cindex @code{--directory}
990 @cindex @code{-d}
991 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
992
993 @item -r
994 @itemx -readnow
995 @cindex @code{--readnow}
996 @cindex @code{-r}
997 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
998 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
999 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1000
1001 @end table
1002
1003 @node Mode Options
1004 @subsection Choosing Modes
1005
1006 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1007 batch mode or quiet mode.
1008
1009 @table @code
1010 @item -nx
1011 @itemx -n
1012 @cindex @code{--nx}
1013 @cindex @code{-n}
1014 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1015 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1016 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1017 Files}.
1018
1019 @item -quiet
1020 @itemx -silent
1021 @itemx -q
1022 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1023 @cindex @code{--silent}
1024 @cindex @code{-q}
1025 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1026 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1027
1028 @item -batch
1029 @cindex @code{--batch}
1030 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1031 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1032 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1033 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1034 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination;
1035 @pxref{Screen Size} and acts as if @kbd{set confirm off} were in
1036 effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1037
1038 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1039 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1040 make this more useful, the message
1041
1042 @smallexample
1043 Program exited normally.
1044 @end smallexample
1045
1046 @noindent
1047 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1048 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1049 mode.
1050
1051 @item -batch-silent
1052 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1053 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1054 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1055 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1056 for an interactive session.
1057
1058 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1059 messages, for example.
1060
1061 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1062 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1063
1064 @item -return-child-result
1065 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1066 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1067 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1068
1069 @itemize @bullet
1070 @item
1071 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1072 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1073 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1074 @item
1075 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1076 @item
1077 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1078 the exit code will be -1.
1079 @end itemize
1080
1081 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1082 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1083 interface.
1084
1085 @item -nowindows
1086 @itemx -nw
1087 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1088 @cindex @code{-nw}
1089 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1090 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1091 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1092
1093 @item -windows
1094 @itemx -w
1095 @cindex @code{--windows}
1096 @cindex @code{-w}
1097 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1098 used if possible.
1099
1100 @item -cd @var{directory}
1101 @cindex @code{--cd}
1102 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1103 instead of the current directory.
1104
1105 @item -fullname
1106 @itemx -f
1107 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1108 @cindex @code{-f}
1109 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1110 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1111 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1112 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1113 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1114 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1115 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1116 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1117 frame.
1118
1119 @item -epoch
1120 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1121 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1122 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1123 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1124 separate window.
1125
1126 @item -annotate @var{level}
1127 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1128 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1129 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1130 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1131 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1132 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1133 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1134 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1135 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1136
1137 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1138 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1139
1140 @item --args
1141 @cindex @code{--args}
1142 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1143 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1144 This option stops option processing.
1145
1146 @item -baud @var{bps}
1147 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1148 @cindex @code{--baud}
1149 @cindex @code{-b}
1150 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1151 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1152
1153 @item -l @var{timeout}
1154 @cindex @code{-l}
1155 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1156 for remote debugging.
1157
1158 @item -tty @var{device}
1159 @itemx -t @var{device}
1160 @cindex @code{--tty}
1161 @cindex @code{-t}
1162 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1163 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1164
1165 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1166 @item -tui
1167 @cindex @code{--tui}
1168 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1169 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1170 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1171 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1172 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1173 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1174 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1175
1176 @c @item -xdb
1177 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1178 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1179 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1180 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1181 @c systems.
1182
1183 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1184 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1185 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1186 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1187 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1188 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1189
1190 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1191 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1192 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1193 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1194 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1195 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1196
1197 @item -write
1198 @cindex @code{--write}
1199 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1200 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1201 (@pxref{Patching}).
1202
1203 @item -statistics
1204 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1205 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1206 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1207
1208 @item -version
1209 @cindex @code{--version}
1210 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1211 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1212
1213 @end table
1214
1215 @node Startup
1216 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1217 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1218
1219 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1220
1221 @enumerate
1222 @item
1223 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1224 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1225
1226 @item
1227 @cindex init file
1228 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1229 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1230 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1231 that file.
1232
1233 @item
1234 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1235 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1236 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1237 that file.
1238
1239 @item
1240 Processes command line options and operands.
1241
1242 @item
1243 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1244 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1245 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1246 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1247 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1248 @value{GDBN}.
1249
1250 @item
1251 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1252 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1253
1254 @item
1255 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1256 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1257 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1258 @end enumerate
1259
1260 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1261 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1262 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1263 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1264 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1265 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1266
1267 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1268 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1269
1270 @cindex init file name
1271 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1272 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1273 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1274 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1275 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1276 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1277 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1278 the file to the standard name.
1279
1280
1281 @node Quitting GDB
1282 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1283 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1284 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1285
1286 @table @code
1287 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1288 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1289 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1290 @itemx q
1291 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1292 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1293 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1294 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1295 error code.
1296 @end table
1297
1298 @cindex interrupt
1299 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1300 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1301 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1302 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1303 until a time when it is safe.
1304
1305 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1306 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1307 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1308
1309 @node Shell Commands
1310 @section Shell Commands
1311
1312 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1313 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1314 just use the @code{shell} command.
1315
1316 @table @code
1317 @kindex shell
1318 @cindex shell escape
1319 @item shell @var{command string}
1320 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1321 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1322 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1323 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1324 @end table
1325
1326 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1327 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1328 @value{GDBN}:
1329
1330 @table @code
1331 @kindex make
1332 @cindex calling make
1333 @item make @var{make-args}
1334 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1335 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1336 @end table
1337
1338 @node Logging Output
1339 @section Logging Output
1340 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1341 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1342
1343 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1344 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1345
1346 @table @code
1347 @kindex set logging
1348 @item set logging on
1349 Enable logging.
1350 @item set logging off
1351 Disable logging.
1352 @cindex logging file name
1353 @item set logging file @var{file}
1354 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1355 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1356 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1357 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1358 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1359 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1360 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1361 @kindex show logging
1362 @item show logging
1363 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1364 @end table
1365
1366 @node Commands
1367 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1368
1369 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1370 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1371 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1372 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1373 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1374
1375 @menu
1376 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1377 * Completion:: Command completion
1378 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1379 @end menu
1380
1381 @node Command Syntax
1382 @section Command Syntax
1383
1384 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1385 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1386 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1387 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1388 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1389 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1390
1391 @cindex abbreviation
1392 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1393 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1394 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1395 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1396 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1397 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1398 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1399
1400 @cindex repeating commands
1401 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1402 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1403 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1404 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1405 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1406 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1407 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1408
1409 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1410 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1411 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1412
1413 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1414 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1415 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1416 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1417 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1418
1419 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1420 @cindex comment
1421 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1422 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1423 Files,,Command Files}).
1424
1425 @cindex repeating command sequences
1426 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1427 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1428 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1429 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1430 for editing.
1431
1432 @node Completion
1433 @section Command Completion
1434
1435 @cindex completion
1436 @cindex word completion
1437 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1438 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1439 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1440 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1441
1442 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1443 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1444 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1445 enter it). For example, if you type
1446
1447 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1448 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1449 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1450 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1451 @smallexample
1452 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1453 @end smallexample
1454
1455 @noindent
1456 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1457 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1458
1459 @smallexample
1460 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1461 @end smallexample
1462
1463 @noindent
1464 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1465 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1466 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1467 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1468 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1469 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1470
1471 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1472 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1473 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1474 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1475 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1476 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1477 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1478 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1479 example:
1480
1481 @smallexample
1482 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1483 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1484 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1485 make_abs_section make_function_type
1486 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1487 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1488 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1489 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1490 @end smallexample
1491
1492 @noindent
1493 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1494 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1495 command.
1496
1497 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1498 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1499 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1500 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1501 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1502
1503 @cindex quotes in commands
1504 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1505 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1506 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1507 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1508 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1509 @value{GDBN} commands.
1510
1511 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1512 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1513 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1514 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1515 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1516 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1517 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1518 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1519 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1520 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1521 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1522
1523 @smallexample
1524 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1525 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1526 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1527 @end smallexample
1528
1529 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1530 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1531 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1532 place:
1533
1534 @smallexample
1535 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1536 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1537 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1538 @end smallexample
1539
1540 @noindent
1541 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1542 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1543 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1544
1545 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1546 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1547 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1548 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1549
1550 @cindex completion of structure field names
1551 @cindex structure field name completion
1552 @cindex completion of union field names
1553 @cindex union field name completion
1554 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1555 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1556 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1557 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1558 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1559 left-hand-side:
1560
1561 @smallexample
1562 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1563 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1564 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1565 @end smallexample
1566
1567 @noindent
1568 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1569 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1570 follows:
1571
1572 @smallexample
1573 struct ui_file
1574 @{
1575 int *magic;
1576 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1577 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1578 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1579 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1580 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1581 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1582 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1583 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1584 void *to_data;
1585 @}
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588
1589 @node Help
1590 @section Getting Help
1591 @cindex online documentation
1592 @kindex help
1593
1594 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1595 using the command @code{help}.
1596
1597 @table @code
1598 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1599 @item help
1600 @itemx h
1601 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1602 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1603
1604 @smallexample
1605 (@value{GDBP}) help
1606 List of classes of commands:
1607
1608 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1609 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1610 data -- Examining data
1611 files -- Specifying and examining files
1612 internals -- Maintenance commands
1613 obscure -- Obscure features
1614 running -- Running the program
1615 stack -- Examining the stack
1616 status -- Status inquiries
1617 support -- Support facilities
1618 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1619 stopping the program
1620 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1621
1622 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1623 commands in that class.
1624 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1625 documentation.
1626 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1627 (@value{GDBP})
1628 @end smallexample
1629 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1630
1631 @item help @var{class}
1632 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1633 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1634 help display for the class @code{status}:
1635
1636 @smallexample
1637 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1638 Status inquiries.
1639
1640 List of commands:
1641
1642 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1643 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1644 info -- Generic command for showing things
1645 about the program being debugged
1646 show -- Generic command for showing things
1647 about the debugger
1648
1649 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1650 documentation.
1651 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1652 (@value{GDBP})
1653 @end smallexample
1654
1655 @item help @var{command}
1656 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1657 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1658
1659 @kindex apropos
1660 @item apropos @var{args}
1661 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1662 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1663 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1664
1665 @smallexample
1666 apropos reload
1667 @end smallexample
1668
1669 @noindent
1670 results in:
1671
1672 @smallexample
1673 @c @group
1674 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1675 multiple times in one run
1676 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1677 multiple times in one run
1678 @c @end group
1679 @end smallexample
1680
1681 @kindex complete
1682 @item complete @var{args}
1683 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1684 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1685 command you want completed. For example:
1686
1687 @smallexample
1688 complete i
1689 @end smallexample
1690
1691 @noindent results in:
1692
1693 @smallexample
1694 @group
1695 if
1696 ignore
1697 info
1698 inspect
1699 @end group
1700 @end smallexample
1701
1702 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1703 @end table
1704
1705 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1706 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1707 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1708 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1709 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1710 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1711
1712 @c @group
1713 @table @code
1714 @kindex info
1715 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1716 @item info
1717 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1718 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1719 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1720 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1721 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1722 @w{@code{help info}}.
1723
1724 @kindex set
1725 @item set
1726 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1727 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1728 @code{set prompt $}.
1729
1730 @kindex show
1731 @item show
1732 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1733 @value{GDBN} itself.
1734 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1735 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1736 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1737 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1738
1739 @kindex info set
1740 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1741 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1742 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1743 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1744 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1745 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1746 @end table
1747 @c @end group
1748
1749 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1750 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1751
1752 @table @code
1753 @kindex show version
1754 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1755 @item show version
1756 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1757 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1758 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1759 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1760 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1761 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1762 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1763 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1764 @value{GDBN}.
1765
1766 @kindex show copying
1767 @kindex info copying
1768 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1769 @item show copying
1770 @itemx info copying
1771 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1772
1773 @kindex show warranty
1774 @kindex info warranty
1775 @item show warranty
1776 @itemx info warranty
1777 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1778 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1779
1780 @end table
1781
1782 @node Running
1783 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1784
1785 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1786 debugging information when you compile it.
1787
1788 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1789 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1790 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1791 kill a child process.
1792
1793 @menu
1794 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1795 * Starting:: Starting your program
1796 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1797 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1798
1799 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1800 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1801 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1802 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1803
1804 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1805 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1806 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1807 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1808 @end menu
1809
1810 @node Compilation
1811 @section Compiling for Debugging
1812
1813 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1814 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1815 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1816 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1817 and addresses in the executable code.
1818
1819 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1820 the compiler.
1821
1822 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1823 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1824 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1825 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1826 executables containing debugging information.
1827
1828 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1829 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1830 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1831 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1832 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1833
1834 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1835 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1836 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1837
1838 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1839 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1840 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1841 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1842 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1843 provides macro information if you specify the options
1844 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1845 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1846 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1847 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1848 @option{-g} alone.
1849
1850 @need 2000
1851 @node Starting
1852 @section Starting your Program
1853 @cindex starting
1854 @cindex running
1855
1856 @table @code
1857 @kindex run
1858 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1859 @item run
1860 @itemx r
1861 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1862 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1863 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1864 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1865 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1866
1867 @end table
1868
1869 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1870 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1871 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1872 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1873 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1874 message like this one:
1875
1876 @smallexample
1877 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1878 Try "help target" or "continue".
1879 @end smallexample
1880
1881 @noindent
1882 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1883 first (@pxref{load}).
1884
1885 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1886 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1887 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1888 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1889 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1890 divided into four categories:
1891
1892 @table @asis
1893 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1894 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1895 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1896 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1897 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1898 the arguments.
1899 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1900 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1901 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1902
1903 @item The @emph{environment.}
1904 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1905 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1906 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1907 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1908
1909 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1910 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1911 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1912 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1913
1914 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1915 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1916 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1917 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1918 set a different device for your program.
1919 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1920
1921 @cindex pipes
1922 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1923 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1924 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1925 wrong program.
1926 @end table
1927
1928 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1929 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1930 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1931 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1932 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1933
1934 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1935 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1936 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1937 your current breakpoints.
1938
1939 @table @code
1940 @kindex start
1941 @item start
1942 @cindex run to main procedure
1943 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1944 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1945 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1946 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1947 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1948 procedure, depending on the language used.
1949
1950 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1951 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1952 the @samp{run} command.
1953
1954 @cindex elaboration phase
1955 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1956 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1957 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1958 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1959 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1960 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1961 will remain to halt execution.
1962
1963 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1964 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1965 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1966 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1967 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1968
1969 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1970 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1971 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1972 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1973 elaboration code before running your program.
1974
1975 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1976 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1977 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1978 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1979 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1980 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1981 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1982 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1983 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1984 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1985 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1986
1987 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1988 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1989 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1990 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1991
1992 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1993 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1994 environment:
1995
1996 @smallexample
1997 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1998 (@value{GDBP}) run
1999 @end smallexample
2000
2001 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2002 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2003
2004 @kindex set disable-randomization
2005 @item set disable-randomization
2006 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2007 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2008 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2009 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2010 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2011
2012 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2013 behavior using
2014
2015 @smallexample
2016 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2017 @end smallexample
2018
2019 @item set disable-randomization off
2020 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2021 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2022 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2023 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2024 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2025 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2026
2027 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2028 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2029 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2030 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2031 a code at its expected addresses.
2032
2033 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2034 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2035 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2036 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2037 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2038 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2039 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2040 a randomly chosen address.
2041
2042 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2043 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2044 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2045 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2046 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2047
2048 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2049 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2050
2051 @item show disable-randomization
2052 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2053 the virtual address space of the started program.
2054
2055 @end table
2056
2057 @node Arguments
2058 @section Your Program's Arguments
2059
2060 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2061 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2062 @code{run} command.
2063 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2064 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2065 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2066 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2067 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2068
2069 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2070 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2071 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2072 the program, not by the shell.
2073
2074 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2075 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2076
2077 @table @code
2078 @kindex set args
2079 @item set args
2080 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2081 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2082 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2083 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2084 it again without arguments.
2085
2086 @kindex show args
2087 @item show args
2088 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2089 @end table
2090
2091 @node Environment
2092 @section Your Program's Environment
2093
2094 @cindex environment (of your program)
2095 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2096 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2097 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2098 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2099 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2100 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2101 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2102
2103 @table @code
2104 @kindex path
2105 @item path @var{directory}
2106 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2107 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2108 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2109 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2110 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2111 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2112 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2113
2114 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2115 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2116 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2117 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2118 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2119 @var{directory} to the search path.
2120 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2121 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2122
2123 @kindex show paths
2124 @item show paths
2125 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2126 environment variable).
2127
2128 @kindex show environment
2129 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2130 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2131 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2132 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2133 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2134
2135 @kindex set environment
2136 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2137 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2138 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2139 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2140 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2141 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2142 null value.
2143 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2144 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2145
2146 For example, this command:
2147
2148 @smallexample
2149 set env USER = foo
2150 @end smallexample
2151
2152 @noindent
2153 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2154 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2155 are not actually required.)
2156
2157 @kindex unset environment
2158 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2159 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2160 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2161 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2162 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2163 @end table
2164
2165 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2166 the shell indicated
2167 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2168 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2169 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2170 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2171 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2172 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2173 @file{.profile}.
2174
2175 @node Working Directory
2176 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2177
2178 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2179 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2180 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2181 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2182 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2183 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2184
2185 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2186 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2187 Specify Files}.
2188
2189 @table @code
2190 @kindex cd
2191 @cindex change working directory
2192 @item cd @var{directory}
2193 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2194
2195 @kindex pwd
2196 @item pwd
2197 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2198 @end table
2199
2200 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2201 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2202 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2203 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2204 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2205 current working directory of the debuggee.
2206
2207 @node Input/Output
2208 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2209
2210 @cindex redirection
2211 @cindex i/o
2212 @cindex terminal
2213 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2214 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2215 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2216 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2217 running your program.
2218
2219 @table @code
2220 @kindex info terminal
2221 @item info terminal
2222 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2223 program is using.
2224 @end table
2225
2226 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2227 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2228
2229 @smallexample
2230 run > outfile
2231 @end smallexample
2232
2233 @noindent
2234 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2235
2236 @kindex tty
2237 @cindex controlling terminal
2238 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2239 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2240 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2241 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2242 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2243
2244 @smallexample
2245 tty /dev/ttyb
2246 @end smallexample
2247
2248 @noindent
2249 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2250 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2251 that as their controlling terminal.
2252
2253 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2254 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2255 terminal.
2256
2257 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2258 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2259 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2260 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2261
2262 @cindex inferior tty
2263 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2264 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2265 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2266 program.
2267
2268 @table @code
2269 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2270 @kindex set inferior-tty
2271 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2272
2273 @item show inferior-tty
2274 @kindex show inferior-tty
2275 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2276 @end table
2277
2278 @node Attach
2279 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2280 @kindex attach
2281 @cindex attach
2282
2283 @table @code
2284 @item attach @var{process-id}
2285 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2286 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2287 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2288 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2289 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2290
2291 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2292 executing the command.
2293 @end table
2294
2295 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2296 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2297 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2298 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2299
2300 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2301 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2302 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2303 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2304 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2305 Specify Files}.
2306
2307 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2308 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2309 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2310 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2311 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2312 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2313 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2314
2315 @table @code
2316 @kindex detach
2317 @item detach
2318 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2319 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2320 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2321 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2322 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2323 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2324 executing the command.
2325 @end table
2326
2327 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2328 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2329 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2330 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2331 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2332 Messages}).
2333
2334 @node Kill Process
2335 @section Killing the Child Process
2336
2337 @table @code
2338 @kindex kill
2339 @item kill
2340 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2341 @end table
2342
2343 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2344 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2345 is running.
2346
2347 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2348 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2349 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2350 outside the debugger.
2351
2352 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2353 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2354 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2355 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2356 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2357 breakpoint settings).
2358
2359 @node Inferiors and Programs
2360 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2361
2362 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2363 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2364 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2365 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2366 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2367 from multiple executables.
2368
2369 @cindex inferior
2370 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2371 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2372 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2373 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2374 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2375 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2376 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2377 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2378 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2379 threads running in it.
2380
2381 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2382 inferiors}}:
2383
2384 @table @code
2385 @kindex info inferiors
2386 @item info inferiors
2387 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2388
2389 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2390
2391 @enumerate
2392 @item
2393 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2394
2395 @item
2396 the target system's inferior identifier
2397
2398 @item
2399 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2400
2401 @end enumerate
2402
2403 @noindent
2404 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2405 indicates the current inferior.
2406
2407 For example,
2408 @end table
2409 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2410
2411 @smallexample
2412 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2413 Num Description Executable
2414 2 process 2307 hello
2415 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2416 @end smallexample
2417
2418 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2419
2420 @table @code
2421 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2422 @item inferior @var{infno}
2423 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2424 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2425 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2426 @end table
2427
2428
2429 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2430 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2431 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2432 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2433 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2434 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2435
2436 @table @code
2437 @kindex add-inferior
2438 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2439 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2440 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2441 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2442 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2443 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2444
2445 @kindex clone-inferior
2446 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2447 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2448 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2449 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2450 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2451
2452 @smallexample
2453 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2454 Num Description Executable
2455 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2456 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2457 Added inferior 2.
2458 1 inferiors added.
2459 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2460 Num Description Executable
2461 2 <null> helloworld
2462 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2463 @end smallexample
2464
2465 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2466
2467 @kindex remove-inferior
2468 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2469 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2470 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2471 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2472
2473 @end table
2474
2475 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2476 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2477 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2478 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2479
2480 @table @code
2481 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2482 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2483 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2484 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2485
2486 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2487 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2488 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2489 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2490 @end table
2491
2492 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2493 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2494 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2495 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2496
2497
2498 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2499 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2500
2501 @table @code
2502 @kindex set print inferior-events
2503 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2504 @item set print inferior-events
2505 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2506 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2507 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2508 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2509 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2510 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2511
2512 @kindex show print inferior-events
2513 @item show print inferior-events
2514 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2515 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2516 @end table
2517
2518 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2519 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2520 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2521
2522
2523 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2524 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2525 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2526 info program-spaces}} command.
2527
2528 @table @code
2529 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2530 @item maint info program-spaces
2531 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2532 @value{GDBN}.
2533
2534 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2535
2536 @enumerate
2537 @item
2538 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2539
2540 @item
2541 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2542 the @code{file} command.
2543
2544 @end enumerate
2545
2546 @noindent
2547 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2548 indicates the current program space.
2549
2550 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2551 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2552 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2553
2554 @smallexample
2555 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2556 Id Executable
2557 2 goodbye
2558 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2559 * 1 hello
2560 @end smallexample
2561
2562 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2563 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2564 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2565 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2566 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2567
2568 @smallexample
2569 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2570 Id Executable
2571 * 1 vfork-test
2572 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2573 @end smallexample
2574
2575 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2576 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2577 @end table
2578
2579 @node Threads
2580 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2581
2582 @cindex threads of execution
2583 @cindex multiple threads
2584 @cindex switching threads
2585 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2586 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2587 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2588 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2589 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2590 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2591 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2592
2593 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2594 programs:
2595
2596 @itemize @bullet
2597 @item automatic notification of new threads
2598 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2599 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2600 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2601 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2602 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2603 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2604 messages on thread start and exit.
2605 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2606 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2607 isn't compatible with the program.
2608 @end itemize
2609
2610 @quotation
2611 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2612 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2613 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2614 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2615 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2616 like this:
2617
2618 @smallexample
2619 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2620 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2621 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2622 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2623 @end smallexample
2624 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2625 @c doesn't support threads"?
2626 @end quotation
2627
2628 @cindex focus of debugging
2629 @cindex current thread
2630 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2631 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2632 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2633 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2634 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2635
2636 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2637 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2638 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2639 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2640 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2641 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2642 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2643 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2644 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2645 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2646
2647 @smallexample
2648 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2649 @end smallexample
2650
2651 @noindent
2652 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2653 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2654 further qualifier.
2655
2656 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2657 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2658 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2659 @c program?
2660 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2661 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2662 @c threads ab initio?
2663
2664 @cindex thread number
2665 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2666 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2667 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2668
2669 @table @code
2670 @kindex info threads
2671 @item info threads
2672 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2673 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2674
2675 @enumerate
2676 @item
2677 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2678
2679 @item
2680 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2681
2682 @item
2683 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2684 @end enumerate
2685
2686 @noindent
2687 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2688 indicates the current thread.
2689
2690 For example,
2691 @end table
2692 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2693
2694 @smallexample
2695 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2696 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2697 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2698 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2699 at threadtest.c:68
2700 @end smallexample
2701
2702 On HP-UX systems:
2703
2704 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2705 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2706 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2707 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2708 thread in your program.
2709
2710 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2711 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2712 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2713 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2714 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2715 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2716 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2717 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2718 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2719 HP-UX, you see
2720
2721 @smallexample
2722 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2723 @end smallexample
2724
2725 @noindent
2726 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2727
2728 @table @code
2729 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2730 @item info threads
2731 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2732 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2733
2734 @enumerate
2735 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2736
2737 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2738
2739 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2740 @end enumerate
2741
2742 @noindent
2743 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2744 indicates the current thread.
2745
2746 For example,
2747 @end table
2748 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2749
2750 @smallexample
2751 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2752 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2753 at quicksort.c:137
2754 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2755 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2756 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2757 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2758 @end smallexample
2759
2760 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2761 Solaris-specific command:
2762
2763 @table @code
2764 @item maint info sol-threads
2765 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2766 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2767 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2768 @end table
2769
2770 @table @code
2771 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2772 @item thread @var{threadno}
2773 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2774 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2775 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2776 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2777 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2778
2779 @smallexample
2780 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2781 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2782 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2783 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2784 @end smallexample
2785
2786 @noindent
2787 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2788 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2789 threads.
2790
2791 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2792 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2793 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2794 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2795 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2796 information on convenience variables.
2797
2798 @kindex thread apply
2799 @cindex apply command to several threads
2800 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2801 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2802 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2803 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2804 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2805 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2806 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2807 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2808
2809 @kindex set print thread-events
2810 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2811 @item set print thread-events
2812 @itemx set print thread-events on
2813 @itemx set print thread-events off
2814 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2815 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2816 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2817 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2818 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2819
2820 @kindex show print thread-events
2821 @item show print thread-events
2822 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2823 have started and exited.
2824 @end table
2825
2826 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2827 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2828 programs with multiple threads.
2829
2830 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2831 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2832
2833 @table @code
2834 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2835 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2836 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2837 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2838 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2839 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2840 an empty list.
2841
2842 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2843 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2844 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2845 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2846 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2847 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2848
2849 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2850 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2851 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2852 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2853 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2854 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2855 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2856
2857 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2858 only on some platforms.
2859
2860 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2861 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2862 Display current libthread_db search path.
2863 @end table
2864
2865 @node Forks
2866 @section Debugging Forks
2867
2868 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2869 @cindex multiple processes
2870 @cindex processes, multiple
2871 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2872 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2873 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2874 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2875 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2876 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2877 will cause it to terminate.
2878
2879 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2880 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2881 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2882 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2883 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2884 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2885 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2886 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2887 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2888 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2889
2890 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2891 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2892 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2893 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2894
2895 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2896 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2897
2898 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2899 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2900
2901 @table @code
2902 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2903 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2904 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2905 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2906 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2907
2908 @table @code
2909 @item parent
2910 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2911 unimpeded. This is the default.
2912
2913 @item child
2914 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2915 unimpeded.
2916
2917 @end table
2918
2919 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2920 @item show follow-fork-mode
2921 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2922 @end table
2923
2924 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2925 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2926 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2927
2928 @table @code
2929 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2930 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2931 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2932 retain debugger control over them both.
2933
2934 @table @code
2935 @item on
2936 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2937 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2938 independently. This is the default.
2939
2940 @item off
2941 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2942 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2943 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2944 is held suspended.
2945
2946 @end table
2947
2948 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2949 @item show detach-on-fork
2950 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2951 @end table
2952
2953 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2954 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2955 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2956 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2957 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2958 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2959
2960 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2961 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2962 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2963 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2964 and Programs}.
2965
2966 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2967 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2968 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2969 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2970 the child process's @code{main}.
2971
2972 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2973 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2974
2975 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2976 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2977 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2978 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2979 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2980 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2981 command.
2982
2983 @table @code
2984 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2985 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2986
2987 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2988 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2989
2990 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2991
2992 @table @code
2993 @item new
2994 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2995 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2996 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2997 original inferior.
2998
2999 For example:
3000
3001 @smallexample
3002 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3003 (gdb) info inferior
3004 Id Description Executable
3005 * 1 <null> prog1
3006 (@value{GDBP}) run
3007 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3008 Program exited normally.
3009 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3010 Id Description Executable
3011 * 2 <null> prog2
3012 1 <null> prog1
3013 @end smallexample
3014
3015 @item same
3016 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3017 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3018 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3019 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3020 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3021
3022 For example:
3023
3024 @smallexample
3025 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3026 Id Description Executable
3027 * 1 <null> prog1
3028 (@value{GDBP}) run
3029 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3030 Program exited normally.
3031 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3032 Id Description Executable
3033 * 1 <null> prog2
3034 @end smallexample
3035
3036 @end table
3037 @end table
3038
3039 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3040 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3041 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3042
3043 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3044 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3045
3046 @cindex checkpoint
3047 @cindex restart
3048 @cindex bookmark
3049 @cindex snapshot of a process
3050 @cindex rewind program state
3051
3052 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3053 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3054 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3055 later.
3056
3057 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3058 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3059 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3060 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3061 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3062
3063 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3064 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3065 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3066 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3067 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3068 start again from there.
3069
3070 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3071 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3072
3073 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3074
3075 @table @code
3076 @kindex checkpoint
3077 @item checkpoint
3078 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3079 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3080 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3081
3082 @kindex info checkpoints
3083 @item info checkpoints
3084 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3085 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3086 listed:
3087
3088 @table @code
3089 @item Checkpoint ID
3090 @item Process ID
3091 @item Code Address
3092 @item Source line, or label
3093 @end table
3094
3095 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3096 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3097 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3098 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3099 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3100 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3101 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3102
3103 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3104 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3105 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3106 the debugger.
3107
3108 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3109 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3110 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3111
3112 @end table
3113
3114 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3115 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3116 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3117 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3118 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3119 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3120 previously read data can be read again.
3121
3122 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3123 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3124 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3125 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3126 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3127 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3128
3129 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3130 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3131 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3132 different execution path this time.
3133
3134 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3135 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3136 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3137 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3138 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3139 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3140 potentially pose a problem.
3141
3142 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3143
3144 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3145 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3146 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3147 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3148 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3149 next.
3150
3151 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3152 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3153 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3154 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3155 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3156
3157 @node Stopping
3158 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3159
3160 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3161 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3162 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3163
3164 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3165 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3166 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3167 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3168 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3169 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3170 explicitly request this information at any time.
3171
3172 @table @code
3173 @kindex info program
3174 @item info program
3175 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3176 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3177 @end table
3178
3179 @menu
3180 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3181 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3182 * Signals:: Signals
3183 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3184 @end menu
3185
3186 @node Breakpoints
3187 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3188
3189 @cindex breakpoints
3190 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3191 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3192 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3193 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3194 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3195 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3196 program.
3197
3198 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3199 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3200 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3201 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3202 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3203 call).
3204
3205 @cindex watchpoints
3206 @cindex data breakpoints
3207 @cindex memory tracing
3208 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3209 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3210 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3211 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3212 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3213 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3214 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3215 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3216 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3217 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3218 same commands.
3219
3220 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3221 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3222 Automatic Display}.
3223
3224 @cindex catchpoints
3225 @cindex breakpoint on events
3226 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3227 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3228 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3229 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3230 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3231 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3232 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3233
3234 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3235 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3236 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3237 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3238 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3239 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3240 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3241 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3242 enable it again.
3243
3244 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3245 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3246 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3247 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3248 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3249 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3250 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3251
3252 @menu
3253 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3254 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3255 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3256 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3257 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3258 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3259 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3260 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3261 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3262 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3263 @end menu
3264
3265 @node Set Breaks
3266 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3267
3268 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3269 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3270 @c
3271 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3272
3273 @kindex break
3274 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3275 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3276 @cindex latest breakpoint
3277 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3278 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3279 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3280 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3281 convenience variables.
3282
3283 @table @code
3284 @item break @var{location}
3285 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3286 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3287 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3288 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3289 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3290
3291 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3292 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3293 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3294 that situation.
3295
3296 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3297 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3298 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3299
3300 @item break
3301 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3302 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3303 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3304 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3305 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3306 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3307 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3308 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3309 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3310 inside loops.
3311
3312 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3313 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3314 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3315 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3316 existed when your program stopped.
3317
3318 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3319 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3320 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3321 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3322 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3323 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3324 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3325
3326 @kindex tbreak
3327 @item tbreak @var{args}
3328 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3329 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3330 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3331 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3332
3333 @kindex hbreak
3334 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3335 @item hbreak @var{args}
3336 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3337 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3338 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3339 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3340 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3341 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3342 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3343 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3344 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3345 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3346 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3347 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3348 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3349 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3350 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3351 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3352 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3353 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3354
3355 @kindex thbreak
3356 @item thbreak @var{args}
3357 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3358 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3359 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3360 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3361 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3362 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3363 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3364 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3365
3366 @kindex rbreak
3367 @cindex regular expression
3368 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3369 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3370 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3371 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3372 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3373 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3374 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3375 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3376 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3377
3378 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3379 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3380 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3381 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3382 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3383 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3384
3385 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3386 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3387 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3388 classes.
3389
3390 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3391 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3392 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3393
3394 @smallexample
3395 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3396 @end smallexample
3397
3398 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3399 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3400 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3401 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3402 every function in a given file:
3403
3404 @smallexample
3405 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3406 @end smallexample
3407
3408 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3409 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3410
3411 @kindex info breakpoints
3412 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3413 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3414 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3415 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3416 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3417 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3418 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3419
3420 @table @emph
3421 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3422 @item Type
3423 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3424 @item Disposition
3425 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3426 @item Enabled or Disabled
3427 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3428 that are not enabled.
3429 @item Address
3430 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3431 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3432 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3433 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3434 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3435 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3436 @item What
3437 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3438 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3439 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3440 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3441 @end table
3442
3443 @noindent
3444 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3445 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3446 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3447 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3448 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3449 valid location.
3450
3451 @noindent
3452 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3453 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3454 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3455 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3456 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3457
3458 @noindent
3459 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3460 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3461 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3462 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3463 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3464 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3465 @end table
3466
3467 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3468 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3469 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3470 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3471
3472 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3473 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3474 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3475 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3476
3477 @itemize @bullet
3478 @item
3479 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3480 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3481
3482 @item
3483 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3484 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3485
3486 @item
3487 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3488 several places where that function is inlined.
3489 @end itemize
3490
3491 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3492 the relevant locations@footnote{
3493 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3494 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3495 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3496 info with line numbers for them.}.
3497
3498 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3499 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3500 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3501 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3502 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3503 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3504 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3505
3506 For example:
3507
3508 @smallexample
3509 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3510 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3511 stop only if i==1
3512 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3513 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3514 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3515 @end smallexample
3516
3517 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3518 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3519 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3520 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3521 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3522 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3523 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3524 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3525 that belong to that breakpoint.
3526
3527 @cindex pending breakpoints
3528 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3529 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3530 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3531 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3532 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3533 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3534 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3535 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3536 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3537 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3538 is not yet resolved.
3539
3540 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3541 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3542 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3543 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3544 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3545 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3546
3547 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3548 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3549 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3550 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3551
3552 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3553 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3554 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3555
3556 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3557 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3558 address specification to an address:
3559
3560 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3561 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3562 @table @code
3563 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3564 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3565 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3566
3567 @item set breakpoint pending on
3568 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3569 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3570
3571 @item set breakpoint pending off
3572 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3573 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3574 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3575
3576 @item show breakpoint pending
3577 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3578 @end table
3579
3580 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3581 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3582 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3583
3584 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3585 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3586 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3587 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3588 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3589 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3590 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3591 breakpoints.
3592
3593 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3594
3595 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3596 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3597 @table @code
3598 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3599 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3600 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3601 breakpoint must be used.
3602
3603 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3604 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3605 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3606 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3607 @end table
3608
3609 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3610 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3611 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3612 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3613 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3614 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3615 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3616 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3617 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3618
3619 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3620 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3621 @table @code
3622 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3623 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3624 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3625 removed from the target when it stops.
3626
3627 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3628 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3629 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3630 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3631 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3632
3633 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3634 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3635 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3636 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3637 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3638 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3639 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3640 @end table
3641
3642 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3643 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3644 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3645 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3646 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3647 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3648 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3649 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3650
3651
3652 @node Set Watchpoints
3653 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3654
3655 @cindex setting watchpoints
3656 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3657 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3658 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3659 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3660 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3661
3662 @itemize @bullet
3663 @item
3664 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3665
3666 @item
3667 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3668 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3669 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3670
3671 @item
3672 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3673 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3674 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3675 @end itemize
3676
3677 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3678 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3679 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3680 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3681 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3682 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3683 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3684 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3685 the expression changes.
3686
3687 @cindex software watchpoints
3688 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3689 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3690 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3691 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3692 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3693 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3694 culprit.)
3695
3696 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3697 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3698 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3699
3700 @table @code
3701 @kindex watch
3702 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3703 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3704 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3705 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3706 to watch the value of a single variable:
3707
3708 @smallexample
3709 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3710 @end smallexample
3711
3712 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3713 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3714 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3715 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3716 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3717 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3718
3719 @kindex rwatch
3720 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3721 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3722 by the program.
3723
3724 @kindex awatch
3725 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3726 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3727 or written into by the program.
3728
3729 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3730 @item info watchpoints
3731 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3732 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3733 @end table
3734
3735 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3736 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3737 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3738 a never-changing value:
3739
3740 @smallexample
3741 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3742 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3743 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3744 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3745 @end smallexample
3746
3747 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3748 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3749 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3750 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3751 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3752 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3753
3754 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3755 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3756 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3757 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3758 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3759 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3760 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3761 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3762
3763 @table @code
3764 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3765 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3766 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3767
3768 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3769 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3770 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3771 @end table
3772
3773 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3774 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3775 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3776
3777 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3778
3779 @smallexample
3780 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3781 @end smallexample
3782
3783 @noindent
3784 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3785
3786 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3787 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3788 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3789 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3790 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3791 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3792 will print a message like this:
3793
3794 @smallexample
3795 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3796 @end smallexample
3797
3798 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3799 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3800 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3801 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3802 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3803 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3804 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3805 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3806
3807 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3808 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3809 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3810 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3811 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3812 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3813
3814 @smallexample
3815 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3816 @end smallexample
3817
3818 @noindent
3819 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3820
3821 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3822 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3823 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3824 expression with separately allocated resources.
3825
3826 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3827 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3828 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3829
3830 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3831 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3832 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3833 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3834 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3835 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3836 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3837 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3838 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3839
3840 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3841 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3842 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3843 watched expression from every thread.
3844
3845 @quotation
3846 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3847 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3848 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3849 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3850 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3851 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3852 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3853 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3854 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3855 @end quotation
3856
3857 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3858
3859 @node Set Catchpoints
3860 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3861 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3862 @cindex exception handlers
3863 @cindex event handling
3864
3865 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3866 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3867 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3868
3869 @table @code
3870 @kindex catch
3871 @item catch @var{event}
3872 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3873 @table @code
3874 @item throw
3875 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3876 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3877
3878 @item catch
3879 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3880
3881 @item exception
3882 @cindex Ada exception catching
3883 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3884 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3885 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3886 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3887 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3888
3889 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3890 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3891 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3892 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3893 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3894 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3895 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3896 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3897
3898 @item exception unhandled
3899 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3900
3901 @item assert
3902 A failed Ada assertion.
3903
3904 @item exec
3905 @cindex break on fork/exec
3906 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3907 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3908
3909 @item syscall
3910 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3911 @cindex break on a system call.
3912 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3913 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3914 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3915 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3916 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3917 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3918 will be caught.
3919
3920 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3921 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3922 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3923 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3924
3925 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3926 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3927 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3928 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3929
3930 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3931 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3932 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3933 available choices.
3934
3935 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3936 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3937 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3938 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3939 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3940 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3941 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3942 behind the OS upgrades).
3943
3944 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3945 arguments to it:
3946
3947 @smallexample
3948 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3949 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3950 (@value{GDBP}) r
3951 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3952
3953 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3954 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3955 (@value{GDBP}) c
3956 Continuing.
3957
3958 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3959 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3960 (@value{GDBP})
3961 @end smallexample
3962
3963 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3964
3965 @smallexample
3966 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3967 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3968 (@value{GDBP}) r
3969 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3970
3971 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3972 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3973 (@value{GDBP}) c
3974 Continuing.
3975
3976 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3977 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3978 (@value{GDBP})
3979 @end smallexample
3980
3981 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3982 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3983 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3984
3985 @smallexample
3986 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3987 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3988 (@value{GDBP}) r
3989 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3990
3991 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3992 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3993 (@value{GDBP}) c
3994 Continuing.
3995
3996 Program exited normally.
3997 (@value{GDBP})
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4001 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4002 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4003 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4004
4005 @smallexample
4006 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4007 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4008 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4009 (@value{GDBP})
4010 @end smallexample
4011
4012 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4013 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4014 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4015 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4016 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4017 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4018
4019 @smallexample
4020 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4021 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4022 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4023 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4024 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4025 (@value{GDBP})
4026 @end smallexample
4027
4028 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4029
4030 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4031 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4032
4033 @smallexample
4034 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4035 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4036 @end smallexample
4037
4038 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4039
4040 @item fork
4041 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4042 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4043
4044 @item vfork
4045 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4046 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4047
4048 @end table
4049
4050 @item tcatch @var{event}
4051 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4052 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4053
4054 @end table
4055
4056 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4057
4058 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4059 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4060
4061 @itemize @bullet
4062 @item
4063 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4064 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4065 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4066 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4067 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4068 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4069 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4070 disabled within interactive calls.
4071
4072 @item
4073 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4074
4075 @item
4076 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4077 @end itemize
4078
4079 @cindex raise exceptions
4080 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4081 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4082 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4083 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4084 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4085 out where the exception was raised.
4086
4087 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4088 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4089 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4090 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4091
4092 @smallexample
4093 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4094 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4095 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4096 @end smallexample
4097
4098 @noindent
4099 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4100 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4101 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4102
4103 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4104 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4105 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4106 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4107 raised.
4108
4109
4110 @node Delete Breaks
4111 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4112
4113 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4114 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4115 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4116 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4117 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4118 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4119
4120 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4121 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4122 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4123 their breakpoint numbers.
4124
4125 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4126 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4127 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4128
4129 @table @code
4130 @kindex clear
4131 @item clear
4132 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4133 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4134 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4135 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4136
4137 @item clear @var{location}
4138 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4139 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4140 most useful ones are listed below:
4141
4142 @table @code
4143 @item clear @var{function}
4144 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4145 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4146
4147 @item clear @var{linenum}
4148 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4149 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4150 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4151 @end table
4152
4153 @cindex delete breakpoints
4154 @kindex delete
4155 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4156 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4157 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4158 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4159 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4160 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4161 @end table
4162
4163 @node Disabling
4164 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4165
4166 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4167 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4168 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4169 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4170 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4171
4172 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4173 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4174 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4175 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4176 do not know which numbers to use.
4177
4178 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4179 affects all of its locations.
4180
4181 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4182 states of enablement:
4183
4184 @itemize @bullet
4185 @item
4186 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4187 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4188 @item
4189 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4190 @item
4191 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4192 disabled.
4193 @item
4194 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4195 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4196 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4197 @end itemize
4198
4199 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4200 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4201
4202 @table @code
4203 @kindex disable
4204 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4205 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4206 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4207 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4208 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4209 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4210 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4211
4212 @kindex enable
4213 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4214 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4215 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4216
4217 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4218 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4219 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4220
4221 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4222 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4223 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4224 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4225 @end table
4226
4227 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4228 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4229 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4230 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4231 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4232 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4233 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4234 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4235 Stepping}.)
4236
4237 @node Conditions
4238 @subsection Break Conditions
4239 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4240 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4241
4242 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4243 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4244 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4245 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4246 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4247 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4248 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4249 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4250
4251 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4252 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4253 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4254 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4255 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4256
4257 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4258 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4259 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4260 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4261 one.
4262
4263 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4264 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4265 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4266 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4267 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4268 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4269 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4270 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4271 conditions for the
4272 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4273 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4274
4275 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4276 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4277 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4278 with the @code{condition} command.
4279
4280 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4281 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4282 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4283 catchpoint.
4284
4285 @table @code
4286 @kindex condition
4287 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4288 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4289 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4290 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4291 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4292 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4293 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4294 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4295 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4296 prints an error message:
4297
4298 @smallexample
4299 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4300 @end smallexample
4301
4302 @noindent
4303 @value{GDBN} does
4304 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4305 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4306 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4307
4308 @item condition @var{bnum}
4309 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4310 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4311 @end table
4312
4313 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4314 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4315 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4316 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4317 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4318 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4319 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4320 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4321 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4322 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4323 your program reaches it.
4324
4325 @table @code
4326 @kindex ignore
4327 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4328 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4329 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4330 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4331 takes no action.
4332
4333 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4334 a count of zero.
4335
4336 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4337 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4338 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4339 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4340
4341 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4342 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4343 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4344
4345 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4346 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4347 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4348 Variables}.
4349 @end table
4350
4351 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4352
4353
4354 @node Break Commands
4355 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4356
4357 @cindex breakpoint commands
4358 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4359 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4360 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4361 enable other breakpoints.
4362
4363 @table @code
4364 @kindex commands
4365 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4366 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4367 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4368 @itemx end
4369 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4370 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4371 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4372
4373 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4374 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4375
4376 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4377 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4378 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4379 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4380 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4381 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4382 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4383 Expressions}).
4384 @end table
4385
4386 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4387 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4388
4389 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4390 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4391 that resumes execution.
4392
4393 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4394 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4395 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4396 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4397 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4398
4399 @kindex silent
4400 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4401 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4402 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4403 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4404 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4405 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4406
4407 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4408 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4409 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4410
4411 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4412 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4413
4414 @smallexample
4415 break foo if x>0
4416 commands
4417 silent
4418 printf "x is %d\n",x
4419 cont
4420 end
4421 @end smallexample
4422
4423 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4424 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4425 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4426 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4427 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4428 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4429 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4430
4431 @smallexample
4432 break 403
4433 commands
4434 silent
4435 set x = y + 4
4436 cont
4437 end
4438 @end smallexample
4439
4440 @node Save Breakpoints
4441 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4442
4443 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4444 breakpoints}} command.
4445
4446 @table @code
4447 @kindex save breakpoints
4448 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4449 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4450 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4451 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4452 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4453 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4454 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4455 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4456 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4457 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4458 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4459 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4460 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4461 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4462 that can no longer be recreated.
4463 @end table
4464
4465 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4466 @node Error in Breakpoints
4467 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4468
4469 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4470 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4471
4472 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4473 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4474 @smallexample
4475 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4476 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4477 @end smallexample
4478
4479 @noindent
4480 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4481 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4482 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4483
4484 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4485 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4486
4487 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4488 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4489 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4490
4491 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4492 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4493 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4494 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4495
4496 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4497 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4498 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4499 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4500 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4501 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4502 first in the bundle.
4503
4504 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4505 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4506 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4507 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4508 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4509 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4510 is hit.
4511
4512 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4513 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4514
4515 @smallexample
4516 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4517 @end smallexample
4518
4519 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4520 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4521 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4522 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4523 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4524 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4525 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4526 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4527
4528 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4529 adjusted breakpoints:
4530
4531 @smallexample
4532 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4533 to 0x00010410.
4534 @end smallexample
4535
4536 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4537 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4538 frequently than expected.
4539
4540 @node Continuing and Stepping
4541 @section Continuing and Stepping
4542
4543 @cindex stepping
4544 @cindex continuing
4545 @cindex resuming execution
4546 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4547 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4548 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4549 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4550 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4551 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4552 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4553 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4554
4555 @table @code
4556 @kindex continue
4557 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4558 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4559 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4560 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4561 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4562 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4563 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4564 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4565 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4566 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4567
4568 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4569 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4570 @code{continue} is ignored.
4571
4572 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4573 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4574 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4575 @code{continue}.
4576 @end table
4577
4578 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4579 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4580 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4581 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4582
4583 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4584 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4585 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4586 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4587 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4588 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4589
4590 @table @code
4591 @kindex step
4592 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4593 @item step
4594 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4595 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4596 abbreviated @code{s}.
4597
4598 @quotation
4599 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4600 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4601 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4602 @c distinction here.
4603 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4604 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4605 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4606 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4607 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4608 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4609 below.
4610 @end quotation
4611
4612 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4613 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4614 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4615 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4616 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4617 called within the line.
4618
4619 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4620 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4621 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4622 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4623 was any debugging information about the routine.
4624
4625 @item step @var{count}
4626 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4627 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4628 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4629
4630 @kindex next
4631 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4632 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4633 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4634 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4635 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4636 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4637 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4638 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4639
4640 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4641
4642
4643 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4644 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4645 @c
4646 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4647 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4648 @c function are executed without stopping.
4649
4650 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4651 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4652 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4653
4654 @kindex set step-mode
4655 @item set step-mode
4656 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4657 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4658 @itemx set step-mode on
4659 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4660 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4661 information rather than stepping over it.
4662
4663 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4664 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4665 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4666
4667 @item set step-mode off
4668 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4669 debug information. This is the default.
4670
4671 @item show step-mode
4672 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4673 source line debug information.
4674
4675 @kindex finish
4676 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4677 @item finish
4678 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4679 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4680 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4681
4682 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4683 ,Returning from a Function}).
4684
4685 @kindex until
4686 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4687 @cindex run until specified location
4688 @item until
4689 @itemx u
4690 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4691 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4692 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4693 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4694 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4695 than the address of the jump.
4696
4697 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4698 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4699 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4700 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4701 through the next iteration.
4702
4703 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4704 stack frame.
4705
4706 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4707 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4708 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4709 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4710 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4711
4712 @smallexample
4713 (@value{GDBP}) f
4714 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4715 206 expand_input();
4716 (@value{GDBP}) until
4717 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4718 @end smallexample
4719
4720 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4721 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4722 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4723 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4724 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4725 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4726 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4727
4728 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4729 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4730 argument.
4731
4732 @item until @var{location}
4733 @itemx u @var{location}
4734 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4735 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4736 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4737 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4738 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4739 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4740 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4741 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4742 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4743 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4744 invocations have returned.
4745
4746 @smallexample
4747 94 int factorial (int value)
4748 95 @{
4749 96 if (value > 1) @{
4750 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4751 98 @}
4752 99 return (value);
4753 100 @}
4754 @end smallexample
4755
4756
4757 @kindex advance @var{location}
4758 @itemx advance @var{location}
4759 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4760 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4761 @ref{Specify Location}.
4762 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4763 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4764 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4765 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4766
4767
4768 @kindex stepi
4769 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4770 @item stepi
4771 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4772 @itemx si
4773 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4774
4775 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4776 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4777 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4778 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4779
4780 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4781
4782 @need 750
4783 @kindex nexti
4784 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4785 @item nexti
4786 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4787 @itemx ni
4788 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4789 proceed until the function returns.
4790
4791 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4792 @end table
4793
4794 @node Signals
4795 @section Signals
4796 @cindex signals
4797
4798 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4799 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4800 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4801 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4802 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4803 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4804 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4805 requested an alarm).
4806
4807 @cindex fatal signals
4808 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4809 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4810 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4811 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4812 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4813 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4814
4815 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4816 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4817 signal.
4818
4819 @cindex handling signals
4820 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4821 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4822 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4823 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4824 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4825
4826 @table @code
4827 @kindex info signals
4828 @kindex info handle
4829 @item info signals
4830 @itemx info handle
4831 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4832 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4833 the defined types of signals.
4834
4835 @item info signals @var{sig}
4836 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4837
4838 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4839
4840 @kindex handle
4841 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4842 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4843 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4844 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4845 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4846 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4847 say what change to make.
4848 @end table
4849
4850 @c @group
4851 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4852 Their full names are:
4853
4854 @table @code
4855 @item nostop
4856 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4857 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4858
4859 @item stop
4860 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4861 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4862
4863 @item print
4864 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4865
4866 @item noprint
4867 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4868 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4869
4870 @item pass
4871 @itemx noignore
4872 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4873 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4874 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4875
4876 @item nopass
4877 @itemx ignore
4878 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4879 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4880 @end table
4881 @c @end group
4882
4883 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4884 program until you
4885 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4886 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4887 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4888 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4889 program sees that signal when you continue.
4890
4891 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4892 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4893 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4894 erroneous signals.
4895
4896 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4897 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4898 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4899 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4900 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4901 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4902 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4903 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4904 Program a Signal}.
4905
4906 @cindex extra signal information
4907 @anchor{extra signal information}
4908
4909 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4910 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4911 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4912 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4913 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4914 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4915 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4916 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4917 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4918 system header.
4919
4920 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4921 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4922
4923 @smallexample
4924 @group
4925 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4926 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4927 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4928 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4929 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4930 type = struct @{
4931 int si_signo;
4932 int si_errno;
4933 int si_code;
4934 union @{
4935 int _pad[28];
4936 struct @{...@} _kill;
4937 struct @{...@} _timer;
4938 struct @{...@} _rt;
4939 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4940 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4941 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4942 @} _sifields;
4943 @}
4944 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4945 type = struct @{
4946 void *si_addr;
4947 @}
4948 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4949 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4950 @end group
4951 @end smallexample
4952
4953 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4954
4955 @node Thread Stops
4956 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4957
4958 @cindex stopped threads
4959 @cindex threads, stopped
4960
4961 @cindex continuing threads
4962 @cindex threads, continuing
4963
4964 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4965 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4966 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4967 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4968 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4969 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4970 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4971 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4972 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4973
4974 @menu
4975 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4976 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4977 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4978 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4979 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4980 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
4981 @end menu
4982
4983 @node All-Stop Mode
4984 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4985
4986 @cindex all-stop mode
4987
4988 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4989 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4990 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4991 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4992 underfoot.
4993
4994 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4995 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4996 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4997
4998 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4999 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5000 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5001 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5002 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5003 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5004 stops.
5005
5006 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5007 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5008 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5009 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5010
5011 @cindex automatic thread selection
5012 @cindex switching threads automatically
5013 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5014 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5015 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5016 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5017 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5018 thread.
5019
5020 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5021 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5022
5023 @table @code
5024 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5025 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5026 @cindex lock scheduler
5027 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5028 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5029 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5030 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5031 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5032 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5033 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5034 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5035 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5036 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5037 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5038 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5039
5040 @item show scheduler-locking
5041 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5042 @end table
5043
5044 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5045 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5046 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5047 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5048 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5049 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5050 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5051 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5052 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5053 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5054 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5055 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5056 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5057 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5058
5059 @table @code
5060 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5061 @item set schedule-multiple
5062 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5063 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5064 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5065 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5066 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5067 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5068
5069 @item show schedule-multiple
5070 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5071 multiple processes.
5072 @end table
5073
5074 @node Non-Stop Mode
5075 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5076
5077 @cindex non-stop mode
5078
5079 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5080 @c with more details.
5081
5082 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5083 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5084 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5085 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5086 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5087 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5088
5089 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5090 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5091 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5092 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5093 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5094 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5095 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5096 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5097 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5098 independently and simultaneously.
5099
5100 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5101 or attach to your program:
5102
5103 @smallexample
5104 # Enable the async interface.
5105 set target-async 1
5106
5107 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5108 set pagination off
5109
5110 # Finally, turn it on!
5111 set non-stop on
5112 @end smallexample
5113
5114 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5115
5116 @table @code
5117 @kindex set non-stop
5118 @item set non-stop on
5119 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5120 @item set non-stop off
5121 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5122 @kindex show non-stop
5123 @item show non-stop
5124 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5125 @end table
5126
5127 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5128 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5129 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5130 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5131 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5132 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5133 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5134 default.
5135
5136 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5137 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5138 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5139
5140 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5141 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5142 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5143 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5144 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5145
5146 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5147 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5148 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5149 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5150 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5151
5152 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5153
5154 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5155 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5156 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5157 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5158 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5159 previously current thread.
5160
5161 @node Background Execution
5162 @subsection Background Execution
5163
5164 @cindex foreground execution
5165 @cindex background execution
5166 @cindex asynchronous execution
5167 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5168
5169 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5170 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5171 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5172 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5173 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5174 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5175
5176 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5177 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5178 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5179
5180 @table @code
5181 @kindex set target-async
5182 @item set target-async on
5183 Enable asynchronous mode.
5184 @item set target-async off
5185 Disable asynchronous mode.
5186 @kindex show target-async
5187 @item show target-async
5188 Show the current target-async setting.
5189 @end table
5190
5191 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5192 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5193
5194 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5195 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5196 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5197 are:
5198
5199 @table @code
5200 @kindex run&
5201 @item run
5202 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5203
5204 @item attach
5205 @kindex attach&
5206 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5207
5208 @item step
5209 @kindex step&
5210 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5211
5212 @item stepi
5213 @kindex stepi&
5214 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5215
5216 @item next
5217 @kindex next&
5218 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5219
5220 @item nexti
5221 @kindex nexti&
5222 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5223
5224 @item continue
5225 @kindex continue&
5226 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5227
5228 @item finish
5229 @kindex finish&
5230 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5231
5232 @item until
5233 @kindex until&
5234 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5235
5236 @end table
5237
5238 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5239 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5240 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5241 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5242 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5243 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5244
5245 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5246 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5247
5248 @table @code
5249 @kindex interrupt
5250 @item interrupt
5251 @itemx interrupt -a
5252
5253 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5254 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5255 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5256 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5257 @end table
5258
5259 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5260 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5261
5262 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5263 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5264 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5265
5266 @table @code
5267 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5268 @cindex thread breakpoints
5269 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5270 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5271 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5272 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5273 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5274 specify some source line.
5275
5276 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5277 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5278 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5279 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5280 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5281
5282 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5283 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5284 program.
5285
5286 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5287 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5288 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5289
5290 @smallexample
5291 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5292 @end smallexample
5293
5294 @end table
5295
5296 @node Interrupted System Calls
5297 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5298
5299 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5300 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5301 @cindex premature return from system calls
5302 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5303 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5304 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5305 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5306 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5307 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5308 stop execution.
5309
5310 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5311 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5312 style anyways.
5313
5314 For example, do not write code like this:
5315
5316 @smallexample
5317 sleep (10);
5318 @end smallexample
5319
5320 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5321 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5322
5323 Instead, write this:
5324
5325 @smallexample
5326 int unslept = 10;
5327 while (unslept > 0)
5328 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5329 @end smallexample
5330
5331 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5332 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5333 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5334 @value{GDBN}.
5335
5336 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5337 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5338 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5339 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5340
5341 @node Observer Mode
5342 @subsection Observer Mode
5343
5344 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5345 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5346 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5347 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5348 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5349
5350 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5351 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5352 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5353 mode.
5354
5355 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5356 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5357 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5358 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5359 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5360
5361 @table @code
5362
5363 @kindex observer
5364 @item set observer on
5365 @itemx set observer off
5366 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5367 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5368 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5369 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5370
5371 @item show observer
5372 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5373
5374 @kindex may-write-registers
5375 @item set may-write-registers on
5376 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5377 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5378 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5379 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5380
5381 @item show may-write-registers
5382 Show the current permission to write registers.
5383
5384 @kindex may-write-memory
5385 @item set may-write-memory on
5386 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5387 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5388 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5389 defaults to @code{on}.
5390
5391 @item show may-write-memory
5392 Show the current permission to write memory.
5393
5394 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5395 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5396 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5397 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5398 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5399 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5400
5401 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5402 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5403
5404 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5405 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5406 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5407 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5408 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5409 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5410 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5411
5412 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5413 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5414
5415 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5416 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5417 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5418 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5419 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5420 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5421 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5422
5423 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5424 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5425
5426 @kindex may-interrupt
5427 @item set may-interrupt on
5428 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5429 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5430 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5431 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5432 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5433
5434 @item show may-interrupt
5435 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5436
5437 @end table
5438
5439 @node Reverse Execution
5440 @chapter Running programs backward
5441 @cindex reverse execution
5442 @cindex running programs backward
5443
5444 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5445 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5446 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5447 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5448
5449 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5450 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5451 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5452 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5453 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5454 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5455
5456 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5457 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5458 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5459 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5460 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5461 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5462 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5463 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5464 prior values@footnote{
5465 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5466 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5467 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5468
5469 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5470 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5471 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5472 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5473 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5474 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5475 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5476 }.
5477
5478 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5479 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5480
5481 @table @code
5482 @kindex reverse-continue
5483 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5484 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5485 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5486 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5487 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5488 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5489 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5490
5491 @kindex reverse-step
5492 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5493 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5494 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5495 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5496
5497 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5498 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5499 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5500 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5501 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5502 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5503
5504 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5505 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5506
5507 @kindex reverse-stepi
5508 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5509 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5510 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5511 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5512 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5513 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5514 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5515
5516 @kindex reverse-next
5517 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5518 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5519 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5520 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5521 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5522 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5523 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5524 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5525 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5526 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5527
5528 @kindex reverse-nexti
5529 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5530 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5531 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5532 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5533 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5534 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5535 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5536 frame) is reached.
5537
5538 @kindex reverse-finish
5539 @item reverse-finish
5540 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5541 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5542 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5543 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5544
5545 @kindex set exec-direction
5546 @item set exec-direction
5547 Set the direction of target execution.
5548 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5549 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5550 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5551 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5552 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5553 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5554 @item set exec-direction forward
5555 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5556 This is the default.
5557 @end table
5558
5559
5560 @node Process Record and Replay
5561 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5562 @cindex process record and replay
5563 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5564
5565 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5566 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5567 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5568
5569 @cindex replay mode
5570 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5571 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5572 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5573 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5574 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5575 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5576 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5577 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5578 execution log.
5579
5580 @cindex record mode
5581 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5582 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5583 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5584 for future replay.
5585
5586 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5587 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5588 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5589 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5590 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5591 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5592
5593 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5594 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5595 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5596 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5597
5598 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5599 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5600
5601 @table @code
5602 @kindex target record
5603 @kindex record
5604 @kindex rec
5605 @item target record
5606 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5607 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5608 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5609 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5610 the @kbd{target record} command.
5611
5612 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5613
5614 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5615 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5616 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5617 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5618 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5619
5620 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5621 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5622 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5623 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5624 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5625 support these two modes.
5626
5627 @kindex record stop
5628 @kindex rec s
5629 @item record stop
5630 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5631 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5632 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5633
5634 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5635 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5636 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5637 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5638 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5639
5640 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5641 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5642 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5643 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5644 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5645
5646 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5647 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5648
5649 @kindex record save
5650 @item record save @var{filename}
5651 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5652 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5653 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5654
5655 @kindex record restore
5656 @item record restore @var{filename}
5657 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5658 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5659
5660 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5661 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5662 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5663
5664 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5665 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5666 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5667 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5668 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5669 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5670 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5671 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5672
5673 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5674 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5675 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5676
5677 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5678 @item show record insn-number-max
5679 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5680
5681 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5682 @item set record stop-at-limit
5683 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5684 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5685 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5686 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5687 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5688 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5689
5690 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5691 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5692
5693 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5694 @item show record stop-at-limit
5695 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5696
5697 @kindex info record
5698 @item info record
5699 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5700 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5701
5702 @itemize @bullet
5703 @item
5704 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5705 @item
5706 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5707 @item
5708 Highest recorded instruction number.
5709 @item
5710 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5711 @item
5712 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5713 @item
5714 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5715 @end itemize
5716
5717 @kindex record delete
5718 @kindex rec del
5719 @item record delete
5720 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5721 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5722 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5723 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5724 @end table
5725
5726
5727 @node Stack
5728 @chapter Examining the Stack
5729
5730 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5731 stopped and how it got there.
5732
5733 @cindex call stack
5734 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5735 is generated.
5736 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5737 the arguments of the call,
5738 and the local variables of the function being called.
5739 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5740 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5741 stack}.
5742
5743 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5744 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5745
5746 @cindex selected frame
5747 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5748 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5749 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5750 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5751 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5752 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5753
5754 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5755 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5756 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5757
5758 @menu
5759 * Frames:: Stack frames
5760 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5761 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5762 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5763
5764 @end menu
5765
5766 @node Frames
5767 @section Stack Frames
5768
5769 @cindex frame, definition
5770 @cindex stack frame
5771 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5772 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5773 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5774 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5775 which the function is executing.
5776
5777 @cindex initial frame
5778 @cindex outermost frame
5779 @cindex innermost frame
5780 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5781 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5782 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5783 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5784 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5785 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5786 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5787 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5788
5789 @cindex frame pointer
5790 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5791 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5792 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5793 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5794 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5795 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5796
5797 @cindex frame number
5798 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5799 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5800 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5801 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5802 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5803
5804 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5805 @c underflow problems.
5806 @cindex frameless execution
5807 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5808 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5809 @smallexample
5810 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5811 @end smallexample
5812 generates functions without a frame.)
5813 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5814 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5815 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5816 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5817 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5818 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5819 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5820
5821 @table @code
5822 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5823 @cindex current stack frame
5824 @item frame @var{args}
5825 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5826 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5827 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5828 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5829
5830 @kindex select-frame
5831 @cindex selecting frame silently
5832 @item select-frame
5833 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5834 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5835 @code{frame}.
5836 @end table
5837
5838 @node Backtrace
5839 @section Backtraces
5840
5841 @cindex traceback
5842 @cindex call stack traces
5843 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5844 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5845 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5846 stack.
5847
5848 @table @code
5849 @kindex backtrace
5850 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5851 @item backtrace
5852 @itemx bt
5853 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5854 frames in the stack.
5855
5856 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5857 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5858
5859 @item backtrace @var{n}
5860 @itemx bt @var{n}
5861 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5862
5863 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5864 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5865 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5866
5867 @item backtrace full
5868 @itemx bt full
5869 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5870 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5871 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5872 number of frames to print, as described above.
5873 @end table
5874
5875 @kindex where
5876 @kindex info stack
5877 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5878 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5879
5880 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5881 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5882 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5883 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5884 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5885 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5886 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5887 multi-threaded program.
5888
5889 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5890 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5891 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5892 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5893 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5894 line number.
5895
5896 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5897 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5898
5899 @smallexample
5900 @group
5901 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5902 at builtin.c:993
5903 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5904 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5905 at macro.c:71
5906 (More stack frames follow...)
5907 @end group
5908 @end smallexample
5909
5910 @noindent
5911 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5912 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5913 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5914
5915 @noindent
5916 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5917 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5918 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5919 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5920 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5921
5922 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5923 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5924 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5925 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5926 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5927 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5928 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5929 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5930 such a backtrace might look like:
5931
5932 @smallexample
5933 @group
5934 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5935 at builtin.c:993
5936 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5937 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5938 at macro.c:71
5939 (More stack frames follow...)
5940 @end group
5941 @end smallexample
5942
5943 @noindent
5944 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5945 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5946
5947 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5948 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5949 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5950
5951 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5952 @cindex program entry point
5953 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5954 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5955 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5956 @code{main}@footnote{
5957 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5958 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5959 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5960 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5961 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5962 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5963
5964 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5965 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5966
5967 @table @code
5968 @item set backtrace past-main
5969 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5970 @kindex set backtrace
5971 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5972
5973 @item set backtrace past-main off
5974 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5975 default.
5976
5977 @item show backtrace past-main
5978 @kindex show backtrace
5979 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5980
5981 @item set backtrace past-entry
5982 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5983 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5984 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5985 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5986
5987 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5988 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5989 application. This is the default.
5990
5991 @item show backtrace past-entry
5992 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5993
5994 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5995 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5996 @cindex backtrace limit
5997 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5998 unlimited.
5999
6000 @item show backtrace limit
6001 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6002 @end table
6003
6004 @node Selection
6005 @section Selecting a Frame
6006
6007 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6008 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6009 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6010 of the stack frame just selected.
6011
6012 @table @code
6013 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6014 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6015 @item frame @var{n}
6016 @itemx f @var{n}
6017 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6018 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6019 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6020 @code{main}.
6021
6022 @item frame @var{addr}
6023 @itemx f @var{addr}
6024 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6025 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6026 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6027 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6028 switches between them.
6029
6030 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6031 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6032
6033 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6034 pointer and a program counter.
6035
6036 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6037 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6038
6039 @kindex up
6040 @item up @var{n}
6041 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6042 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6043 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6044
6045 @kindex down
6046 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6047 @item down @var{n}
6048 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6049 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6050 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6051 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6052 @end table
6053
6054 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6055 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6056 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6057 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6058
6059 @need 1000
6060 For example:
6061
6062 @smallexample
6063 @group
6064 (@value{GDBP}) up
6065 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6066 at env.c:10
6067 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6068 @end group
6069 @end smallexample
6070
6071 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6072 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6073 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6074 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6075 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6076 for details.
6077
6078 @table @code
6079 @kindex down-silently
6080 @kindex up-silently
6081 @item up-silently @var{n}
6082 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6083 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6084 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6085 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6086 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6087 distracting.
6088 @end table
6089
6090 @node Frame Info
6091 @section Information About a Frame
6092
6093 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6094 stack frame.
6095
6096 @table @code
6097 @item frame
6098 @itemx f
6099 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6100 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6101 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6102 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6103 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6104
6105 @kindex info frame
6106 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6107 @item info frame
6108 @itemx info f
6109 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6110 including:
6111
6112 @itemize @bullet
6113 @item
6114 the address of the frame
6115 @item
6116 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6117 @item
6118 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6119 @item
6120 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6121 @item
6122 the address of the frame's arguments
6123 @item
6124 the address of the frame's local variables
6125 @item
6126 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6127 @item
6128 which registers were saved in the frame
6129 @end itemize
6130
6131 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6132 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6133 the usual conventions.
6134
6135 @item info frame @var{addr}
6136 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6137 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6138 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6139 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6140 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6141 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6142
6143 @kindex info args
6144 @item info args
6145 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6146
6147 @item info locals
6148 @kindex info locals
6149 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6150 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6151 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6152
6153 @kindex info catch
6154 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6155 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6156 @item info catch
6157 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6158 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6159 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6160 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6161 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6162
6163 @end table
6164
6165
6166 @node Source
6167 @chapter Examining Source Files
6168
6169 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6170 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6171 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6172 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6173 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6174 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6175 source files by explicit command.
6176
6177 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6178 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6179 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6180
6181 @menu
6182 * List:: Printing source lines
6183 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6184 * Edit:: Editing source files
6185 * Search:: Searching source files
6186 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6187 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6188 @end menu
6189
6190 @node List
6191 @section Printing Source Lines
6192
6193 @kindex list
6194 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6195 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6196 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6197 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6198 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6199
6200 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6201
6202 @table @code
6203 @item list @var{linenum}
6204 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6205 current source file.
6206
6207 @item list @var{function}
6208 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6209 @var{function}.
6210
6211 @item list
6212 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6213 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6214 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6215 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6216 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6217
6218 @item list -
6219 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6220 @end table
6221
6222 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6223 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6224 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6225
6226 @table @code
6227 @kindex set listsize
6228 @item set listsize @var{count}
6229 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6230 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6231
6232 @kindex show listsize
6233 @item show listsize
6234 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6235 @end table
6236
6237 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6238 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6239 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6240 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6241 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6242
6243 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6244 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6245 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6246 to specify some source line.
6247
6248 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6249
6250 @table @code
6251 @item list @var{linespec}
6252 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6253
6254 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6255 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6256 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6257 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6258 the same source file as the first linespec.
6259
6260 @item list ,@var{last}
6261 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6262
6263 @item list @var{first},
6264 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6265
6266 @item list +
6267 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6268
6269 @item list -
6270 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6271
6272 @item list
6273 As described in the preceding table.
6274 @end table
6275
6276 @node Specify Location
6277 @section Specifying a Location
6278 @cindex specifying location
6279 @cindex linespec
6280
6281 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6282 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6283 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6284 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6285
6286 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6287 @value{GDBN} understands:
6288
6289 @table @code
6290 @item @var{linenum}
6291 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6292
6293 @item -@var{offset}
6294 @itemx +@var{offset}
6295 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6296 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6297 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6298 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6299 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6300 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6301 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6302 linespec.
6303
6304 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6305 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6306
6307 @item @var{function}
6308 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6309 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6310
6311 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6312 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6313 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6314 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6315 functions in different source files.
6316
6317 @item *@var{address}
6318 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6319 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6320 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6321 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6322 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6323 source files.
6324
6325 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6326 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6327 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6328 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6329 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6330 of @var{address}:
6331
6332 @table @code
6333 @item @var{expression}
6334 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6335
6336 @item @var{funcaddr}
6337 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6338 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6339 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6340 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6341 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6342 (although the Pascal form also works).
6343
6344 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6345 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6346
6347 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6348 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6349 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6350 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6351 functions with identical names in different source files.
6352 @end table
6353
6354 @end table
6355
6356
6357 @node Edit
6358 @section Editing Source Files
6359 @cindex editing source files
6360
6361 @kindex edit
6362 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6363 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6364 The editing program of your choice
6365 is invoked with the current line set to
6366 the active line in the program.
6367 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6368 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6369
6370 @table @code
6371 @item edit @var{location}
6372 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6373 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6374 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6375 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6376 command most commonly used:
6377
6378 @table @code
6379 @item edit @var{number}
6380 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6381
6382 @item edit @var{function}
6383 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6384 @end table
6385
6386 @end table
6387
6388 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6389 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6390 @footnote{
6391 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6392 following command-line syntax:
6393 @smallexample
6394 ex +@var{number} file
6395 @end smallexample
6396 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6397 the file where to start editing.}.
6398 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6399 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6400 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6401 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6402 @smallexample
6403 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6404 export EDITOR
6405 gdb @dots{}
6406 @end smallexample
6407 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6408 @smallexample
6409 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6410 gdb @dots{}
6411 @end smallexample
6412
6413 @node Search
6414 @section Searching Source Files
6415 @cindex searching source files
6416
6417 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6418 regular expression.
6419
6420 @table @code
6421 @kindex search
6422 @kindex forward-search
6423 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6424 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6425 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6426 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6427 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6428 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6429 @code{fo}.
6430
6431 @kindex reverse-search
6432 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6433 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6434 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6435 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6436 this command as @code{rev}.
6437 @end table
6438
6439 @node Source Path
6440 @section Specifying Source Directories
6441
6442 @cindex source path
6443 @cindex directories for source files
6444 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6445 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6446 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6447 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6448 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6449 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6450 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6451
6452 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6453 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6454 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6455 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6456 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6457 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6458 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6459 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6460 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6461 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6462 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6463
6464 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6465 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6466 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6467 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6468 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6469 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6470
6471 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6472 source files.
6473
6474 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6475 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6476 each line is in the file.
6477
6478 @kindex directory
6479 @kindex dir
6480 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6481 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6482 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6483
6484 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6485 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6486
6487 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6488 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6489 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6490 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6491 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6492 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6493 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6494 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6495 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6496 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6497 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6498 name to look up the sources.
6499
6500 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6501 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6502 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6503 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6504 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6505 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6506 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6507 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6508
6509 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6510 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6511 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6512 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6513 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6514 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6515 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6516
6517 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6518 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6519 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6520 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6521 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6522 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6523 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6524 command.
6525
6526 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6527 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6528 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6529 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6530 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6531 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6532 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6533
6534 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6535 @cindex default source path substitution
6536 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6537 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6538 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6539 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6540 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6541 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6542 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6543 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6544 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6545 together.
6546
6547 @table @code
6548 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6549 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6550 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6551 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6552 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6553 part of absolute file names) or
6554 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6555 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6556
6557 @kindex cdir
6558 @kindex cwd
6559 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6560 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6561 @cindex compilation directory
6562 @cindex current directory
6563 @cindex working directory
6564 @cindex directory, current
6565 @cindex directory, compilation
6566 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6567 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6568 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6569 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6570 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6571 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6572
6573 @item directory
6574 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6575
6576 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6577 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6578
6579 @item show directories
6580 @kindex show directories
6581 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6582
6583 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6584 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6585 @kindex set substitute-path
6586 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6587 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6588 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6589
6590 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6591 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6592
6593 @smallexample
6594 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6595 @end smallexample
6596
6597 @noindent
6598 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6599 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6600 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6601
6602 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6603 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6604 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6605 the substitution.
6606
6607 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6608
6609 @smallexample
6610 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6611 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6612 @end smallexample
6613
6614 @noindent
6615 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6616 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6617 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6618 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6619
6620
6621 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6622 @kindex unset substitute-path
6623 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6624 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6625 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6626
6627 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6628
6629 @item show substitute-path [path]
6630 @kindex show substitute-path
6631 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6632 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6633
6634 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6635 rules.
6636
6637 @end table
6638
6639 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6640 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6641 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6642
6643 @enumerate
6644 @item
6645 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6646
6647 @item
6648 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6649 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6650 directories in one command.
6651 @end enumerate
6652
6653 @node Machine Code
6654 @section Source and Machine Code
6655 @cindex source line and its code address
6656
6657 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6658 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6659 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6660 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6661 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6662 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6663 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6664 well as hex.
6665
6666 @table @code
6667 @kindex info line
6668 @item info line @var{linespec}
6669 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6670 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6671 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6672 @end table
6673
6674 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6675 the object code for the first line of function
6676 @code{m4_changequote}:
6677
6678 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6679 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6680 @smallexample
6681 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6682 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6683 @end smallexample
6684
6685 @noindent
6686 @cindex code address and its source line
6687 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6688 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6689 @smallexample
6690 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6691 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6692 @end smallexample
6693
6694 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6695 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6696 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6697 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6698 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6699 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6700 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6701 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6702 Variables}).
6703
6704 @table @code
6705 @kindex disassemble
6706 @cindex assembly instructions
6707 @cindex instructions, assembly
6708 @cindex machine instructions
6709 @cindex listing machine instructions
6710 @item disassemble
6711 @itemx disassemble /m
6712 @itemx disassemble /r
6713 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6714 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6715 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6716 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6717 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6718 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6719 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6720 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6721 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6722 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6723 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6724 there could be several functions in the given range).
6725
6726 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6727 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6728
6729 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6730 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6731 @end table
6732
6733 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6734 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6735
6736 @smallexample
6737 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6738 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6739 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6740 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6741 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6742 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6743 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6744 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6745 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6746 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6747 End of assembler dump.
6748 @end smallexample
6749
6750 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6751 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6752
6753 @smallexample
6754 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6755 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6756 5 @{
6757 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6758 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6759 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6760 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6761 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6762
6763 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6764 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6765 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6766
6767 7 return 0;
6768 8 @}
6769 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6770 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6771 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6772
6773 End of assembler dump.
6774 @end smallexample
6775
6776 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6777 mnemonics or other syntax.
6778
6779 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6780 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6781 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6782 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6783 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6784
6785 @table @code
6786 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6787 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6788 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6789 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6790 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6791 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6792
6793 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6794 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6795 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6796 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6797
6798 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6799 @item show disassembly-flavor
6800 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6801 @end table
6802
6803 @table @code
6804 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6805 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6806 @item set disassemble-next-line
6807 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6808 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6809 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6810 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6811 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6812 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6813 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6814 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6815 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6816 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6817 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6818 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6819 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6820 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6821 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6822 instruction.
6823 @end table
6824
6825
6826 @node Data
6827 @chapter Examining Data
6828
6829 @cindex printing data
6830 @cindex examining data
6831 @kindex print
6832 @kindex inspect
6833 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6834 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6835 @c different window or something like that.
6836 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6837 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6838 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6839 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6840 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6841 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6842
6843 @table @code
6844 @item print @var{expr}
6845 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6846 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6847 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6848 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6849 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6850 Formats}.
6851
6852 @item print
6853 @itemx print /@var{f}
6854 @cindex reprint the last value
6855 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6856 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6857 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6858 @end table
6859
6860 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6861 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6862 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6863
6864 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6865 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6866 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6867 Table}.
6868
6869 @menu
6870 * Expressions:: Expressions
6871 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6872 * Variables:: Program variables
6873 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6874 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6875 * Memory:: Examining memory
6876 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6877 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6878 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6879 * Value History:: Value history
6880 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6881 * Registers:: Registers
6882 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6883 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6884 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6885 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6886 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6887 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6888 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6889 character set than GDB does
6890 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6891 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6892 @end menu
6893
6894 @node Expressions
6895 @section Expressions
6896
6897 @cindex expressions
6898 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6899 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6900 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6901 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6902 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6903 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6904 @ref{Compilation}.
6905
6906 @cindex arrays in expressions
6907 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6908 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6909 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6910 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6911 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6912 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6913
6914 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6915 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6916 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6917 languages.
6918
6919 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6920 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6921
6922 @cindex casts, in expressions
6923 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6924 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6925 at that address in memory.
6926 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6927
6928 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6929 to programming languages:
6930
6931 @table @code
6932 @item @@
6933 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6934 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6935
6936 @item ::
6937 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6938 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6939
6940 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6941 @cindex type casting memory
6942 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6943 @cindex casts, to view memory
6944 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6945 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6946 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6947 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6948 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6949 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6950 @end table
6951
6952 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6953 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6954 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6955
6956 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6957 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6958 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6959 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6960 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6961 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6962 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6963
6964 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6965 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6966 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6967 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6968 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6969 as well.
6970
6971 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6972 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6973 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6974 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6975 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6976 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6977 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6978 choices.
6979
6980 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6981 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6982 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6983
6984 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6985 @smallexample
6986 @group
6987 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6988 [0] cancel
6989 [1] all
6990 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6991 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6992 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6993 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6994 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6995 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6996 > 2 4 6
6997 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6998 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6999 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7000 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7001 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7002 breakpoints.
7003 (@value{GDBP})
7004 @end group
7005 @end smallexample
7006
7007 @table @code
7008 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7009 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7010 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7011
7012 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7013 is ambiguous.
7014
7015 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7016 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7017 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7018 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7019 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7020 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7021 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7022 in the use of the menu.
7023
7024 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7025 when an ambiguity is detected.
7026
7027 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7028 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7029
7030 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7031 @item show multiple-symbols
7032 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7033 @end table
7034
7035 @node Variables
7036 @section Program Variables
7037
7038 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7039 in your program.
7040
7041 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7042 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7043
7044 @itemize @bullet
7045 @item
7046 global (or file-static)
7047 @end itemize
7048
7049 @noindent or
7050
7051 @itemize @bullet
7052 @item
7053 visible according to the scope rules of the
7054 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7055 @end itemize
7056
7057 @noindent This means that in the function
7058
7059 @smallexample
7060 foo (a)
7061 int a;
7062 @{
7063 bar (a);
7064 @{
7065 int b = test ();
7066 bar (b);
7067 @}
7068 @}
7069 @end smallexample
7070
7071 @noindent
7072 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7073 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7074 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7075 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7076
7077 @cindex variable name conflict
7078 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7079 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7080 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7081 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7082 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7083 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7084 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7085
7086 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7087 @ifnotinfo
7088 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7089 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7090 @end ifnotinfo
7091 @smallexample
7092 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7093 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7094 @end smallexample
7095
7096 @noindent
7097 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7098 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7099 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7100 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7101
7102 @smallexample
7103 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7104 @end smallexample
7105
7106 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7107 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7108 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7109 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7110 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7111 @c conflict?? --mew
7112
7113 @cindex wrong values
7114 @cindex variable values, wrong
7115 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7116 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7117 @quotation
7118 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7119 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7120 scope, and just before exit.
7121 @end quotation
7122 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7123 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7124 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7125 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7126 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7127 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7128 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7129 variable definitions may be gone.
7130
7131 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7132 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7133 when compiling.
7134
7135 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7136 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7137 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7138 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7139 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7140 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7141 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7142
7143 @smallexample
7144 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7145 @end smallexample
7146
7147 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7148 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7149 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7150 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7151 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7152 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7153 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7154 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7155 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7156 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7157 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7158
7159 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7160 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7161 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7162 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7163
7164 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7165 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7166 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7167 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7168 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7169 For program code
7170
7171 @smallexample
7172 char var0[] = "A";
7173 signed char var1[] = "A";
7174 @end smallexample
7175
7176 You get during debugging
7177 @smallexample
7178 (gdb) print var0
7179 $1 = "A"
7180 (gdb) print var1
7181 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7182 @end smallexample
7183
7184 @node Arrays
7185 @section Artificial Arrays
7186
7187 @cindex artificial array
7188 @cindex arrays
7189 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7190 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7191 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7192 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7193 program.
7194
7195 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7196 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7197 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7198 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7199 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7200 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7201 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7202 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7203 example. If a program says
7204
7205 @smallexample
7206 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7207 @end smallexample
7208
7209 @noindent
7210 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7211
7212 @smallexample
7213 p *array@@len
7214 @end smallexample
7215
7216 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7217 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7218 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7219 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7220 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7221
7222 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7223 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7224 The value need not be in memory:
7225 @smallexample
7226 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7227 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7228 @end smallexample
7229
7230 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7231 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7232 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7233 @smallexample
7234 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7235 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7236 @end smallexample
7237
7238 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7239 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7240 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7241 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7242 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7243 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7244 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7245 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7246 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7247 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7248
7249 @smallexample
7250 set $i = 0
7251 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7252 @key{RET}
7253 @key{RET}
7254 @dots{}
7255 @end smallexample
7256
7257 @node Output Formats
7258 @section Output Formats
7259
7260 @cindex formatted output
7261 @cindex output formats
7262 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7263 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7264 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7265 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7266 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7267
7268 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7269 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7270 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7271 letters supported are:
7272
7273 @table @code
7274 @item x
7275 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7276 hexadecimal.
7277
7278 @item d
7279 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7280
7281 @item u
7282 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7283
7284 @item o
7285 Print as integer in octal.
7286
7287 @item t
7288 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7289 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7290 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7291 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7292
7293 @item a
7294 @cindex unknown address, locating
7295 @cindex locate address
7296 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7297 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7298 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7299
7300 @smallexample
7301 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7302 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7303 @end smallexample
7304
7305 @noindent
7306 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7307 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7308
7309 @item c
7310 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7311 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7312 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7313 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7314
7315 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7316 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7317 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7318 data.
7319
7320 @item f
7321 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7322 using typical floating point syntax.
7323
7324 @item s
7325 @cindex printing strings
7326 @cindex printing byte arrays
7327 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7328 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7329 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7330 natural types.
7331
7332 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7333 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7334 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7335 array.
7336
7337 @item r
7338 @cindex raw printing
7339 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7340 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7341 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7342 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7343 pretty-printer which might exist.
7344 @end table
7345
7346 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7347
7348 @smallexample
7349 p/x $pc
7350 @end smallexample
7351
7352 @noindent
7353 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7354 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7355
7356 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7357 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7358 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7359
7360 @node Memory
7361 @section Examining Memory
7362
7363 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7364 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7365
7366 @cindex examining memory
7367 @table @code
7368 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7369 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7370 @itemx x @var{addr}
7371 @itemx x
7372 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7373 @end table
7374
7375 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7376 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7377 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7378 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7379 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7380
7381 @table @r
7382 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7383 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7384 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7385 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7386 @c 4.1.2.
7387
7388 @item @var{f}, the display format
7389 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7390 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7391 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7392 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7393 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7394
7395 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7396 The unit size is any of
7397
7398 @table @code
7399 @item b
7400 Bytes.
7401 @item h
7402 Halfwords (two bytes).
7403 @item w
7404 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7405 @item g
7406 Giant words (eight bytes).
7407 @end table
7408
7409 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7410 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7411 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7412 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7413 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7414 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7415 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7416 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7417 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7418 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7419 be altered.
7420
7421 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7422 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7423 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7424 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7425 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7426 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7427 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7428 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7429 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7430 a value from memory).
7431 @end table
7432
7433 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7434 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7435 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7436 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7437 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7438
7439 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7440 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7441 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7442 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7443 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7444
7445 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7446 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7447 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7448 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7449 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7450 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7451 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7452 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7453 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7454
7455 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7456 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7457 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7458 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7459 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7460 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7461 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7462
7463 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7464 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7465
7466 @smallexample
7467 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7468 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7469 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7470 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7471 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7472 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7473 @end smallexample
7474
7475 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7476 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7477 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7478 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7479 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7480 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7481 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7482 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7483 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7484
7485 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7486 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7487 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7488
7489 @cindex remote memory comparison
7490 @cindex verify remote memory image
7491 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7492 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7493 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7494 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7495 situations.
7496
7497 @table @code
7498 @kindex compare-sections
7499 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7500 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7501 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7502 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7503 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7504 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7505 remote request.
7506 @end table
7507
7508 @node Auto Display
7509 @section Automatic Display
7510 @cindex automatic display
7511 @cindex display of expressions
7512
7513 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7514 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7515 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7516 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7517 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7518 The automatic display looks like this:
7519
7520 @smallexample
7521 2: foo = 38
7522 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7523 @end smallexample
7524
7525 @noindent
7526 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7527 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7528 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7529 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7530 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7531 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7532
7533 @table @code
7534 @kindex display
7535 @item display @var{expr}
7536 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7537 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7538
7539 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7540
7541 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7542 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7543 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7544 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7545 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7546
7547 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7548 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7549 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7550 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7551 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7552 @end table
7553
7554 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7555 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7556 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7557
7558 @table @code
7559 @kindex delete display
7560 @kindex undisplay
7561 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7562 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7563 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7564
7565 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7566 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7567
7568 @kindex disable display
7569 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7570 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7571 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7572 enabled again later.
7573
7574 @kindex enable display
7575 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7576 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7577 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7578
7579 @item display
7580 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7581 done when your program stops.
7582
7583 @kindex info display
7584 @item info display
7585 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7586 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7587 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7588 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7589 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7590 @end table
7591
7592 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7593 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7594 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7595 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7596 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7597 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7598 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7599 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7600 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7601 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7602 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7603
7604 @node Print Settings
7605 @section Print Settings
7606
7607 @cindex format options
7608 @cindex print settings
7609 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7610 and symbols are printed.
7611
7612 @noindent
7613 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7614
7615 @table @code
7616 @kindex set print
7617 @item set print address
7618 @itemx set print address on
7619 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7620 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7621 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7622 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7623 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7624 @code{set print address on}:
7625
7626 @smallexample
7627 @group
7628 (@value{GDBP}) f
7629 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7630 at input.c:530
7631 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7632 @end group
7633 @end smallexample
7634
7635 @item set print address off
7636 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7637 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7638
7639 @smallexample
7640 @group
7641 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7642 (@value{GDBP}) f
7643 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7644 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7645 @end group
7646 @end smallexample
7647
7648 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7649 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7650 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7651 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7652
7653 @kindex show print
7654 @item show print address
7655 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7656 @end table
7657
7658 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7659 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7660 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7661 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7662 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7663 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7664 it prints a symbolic address:
7665
7666 @table @code
7667 @item set print symbol-filename on
7668 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7669 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7670 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7671 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7672
7673 @item set print symbol-filename off
7674 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7675 default.
7676
7677 @item show print symbol-filename
7678 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7679 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7680 @end table
7681
7682 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7683 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7684 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7685
7686 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7687 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7688
7689 @table @code
7690 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7691 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7692 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7693 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7694 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7695 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7696
7697 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7698 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7699 symbolic address.
7700 @end table
7701
7702 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7703 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7704 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7705 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7706 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7707 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7708 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7709 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7710
7711 @smallexample
7712 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7713 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7714 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7715 @end smallexample
7716
7717 @quotation
7718 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7719 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7720 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7721 @end quotation
7722
7723 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7724
7725 @table @code
7726 @item set print array
7727 @itemx set print array on
7728 @cindex pretty print arrays
7729 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7730 but uses more space. The default is off.
7731
7732 @item set print array off
7733 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7734
7735 @item show print array
7736 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7737 arrays.
7738
7739 @cindex print array indexes
7740 @item set print array-indexes
7741 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7742 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7743 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7744 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7745
7746 @item set print array-indexes off
7747 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7748
7749 @item show print array-indexes
7750 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7751 arrays.
7752
7753 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7754 @cindex number of array elements to print
7755 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7756 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7757 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7758 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7759 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7760 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7761 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7762
7763 @item show print elements
7764 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7765 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7766
7767 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7768 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7769 @cindex printing frame argument values
7770 @cindex print all frame argument values
7771 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7772 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7773 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7774 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7775 values are:
7776
7777 @table @code
7778 @item all
7779 The values of all arguments are printed.
7780
7781 @item scalars
7782 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7783 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7784 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7785 only scalar arguments are shown:
7786
7787 @smallexample
7788 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7789 at frame-args.c:23
7790 @end smallexample
7791
7792 @item none
7793 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7794 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7795
7796 @smallexample
7797 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7798 at frame-args.c:23
7799 @end smallexample
7800 @end table
7801
7802 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7803 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7804 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7805 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7806 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7807 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7808 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7809 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7810 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7811 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7812
7813 @item show print frame-arguments
7814 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7815
7816 @item set print repeats
7817 @cindex repeated array elements
7818 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7819 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7820 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7821 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7822 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7823 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7824 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7825
7826 @item show print repeats
7827 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7828 elements.
7829
7830 @item set print null-stop
7831 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7832 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7833 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7834 contain only short strings.
7835 The default is off.
7836
7837 @item show print null-stop
7838 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7839 @sc{null} character.
7840
7841 @item set print pretty on
7842 @cindex print structures in indented form
7843 @cindex indentation in structure display
7844 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7845 per line, like this:
7846
7847 @smallexample
7848 @group
7849 $1 = @{
7850 next = 0x0,
7851 flags = @{
7852 sweet = 1,
7853 sour = 1
7854 @},
7855 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7856 @}
7857 @end group
7858 @end smallexample
7859
7860 @item set print pretty off
7861 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7862
7863 @smallexample
7864 @group
7865 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7866 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7867 @end group
7868 @end smallexample
7869
7870 @noindent
7871 This is the default format.
7872
7873 @item show print pretty
7874 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7875
7876 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7877 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7878 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7879 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7880 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7881 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7882 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7883 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7884
7885 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7886 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7887 international character sets, and is the default.
7888
7889 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7890 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7891
7892 @item set print union on
7893 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7894 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7895 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7896
7897 @item set print union off
7898 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7899 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7900 instead.
7901
7902 @item show print union
7903 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7904 structures and other unions.
7905
7906 For example, given the declarations
7907
7908 @smallexample
7909 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7910 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7911 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7912 Bug_forms;
7913
7914 struct thing @{
7915 Species it;
7916 union @{
7917 Tree_forms tree;
7918 Bug_forms bug;
7919 @} form;
7920 @};
7921
7922 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7923 @end smallexample
7924
7925 @noindent
7926 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7927
7928 @smallexample
7929 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7930 @end smallexample
7931
7932 @noindent
7933 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7934
7935 @smallexample
7936 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7937 @end smallexample
7938
7939 @noindent
7940 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7941 and in Pascal.
7942 @end table
7943
7944 @need 1000
7945 @noindent
7946 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7947
7948 @table @code
7949 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7950 @item set print demangle
7951 @itemx set print demangle on
7952 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7953 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7954 linkage. The default is on.
7955
7956 @item show print demangle
7957 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7958
7959 @item set print asm-demangle
7960 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7961 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7962 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7963 The default is off.
7964
7965 @item show print asm-demangle
7966 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7967 or demangled form.
7968
7969 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7970 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7971 @kindex set demangle-style
7972 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7973 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7974 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7975
7976 @table @code
7977 @item auto
7978 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7979
7980 @item gnu
7981 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7982 This is the default.
7983
7984 @item hp
7985 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7986
7987 @item lucid
7988 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7989
7990 @item arm
7991 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7992 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7993 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7994 require further enhancement to permit that.
7995
7996 @end table
7997 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7998
7999 @item show demangle-style
8000 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8001
8002 @item set print object
8003 @itemx set print object on
8004 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8005 @cindex display derived types
8006 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8007 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8008 the virtual function table.
8009
8010 @item set print object off
8011 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8012 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8013
8014 @item show print object
8015 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8016
8017 @item set print static-members
8018 @itemx set print static-members on
8019 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8020 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8021
8022 @item set print static-members off
8023 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8024
8025 @item show print static-members
8026 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8027
8028 @item set print pascal_static-members
8029 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8030 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8031 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8032 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8033
8034 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8035 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8036
8037 @item show print pascal_static-members
8038 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8039
8040 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8041 @item set print vtbl
8042 @itemx set print vtbl on
8043 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8044 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8045 @cindex VTBL display
8046 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8047 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8048 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8049
8050 @item set print vtbl off
8051 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8052
8053 @item show print vtbl
8054 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8055 @end table
8056
8057 @node Pretty Printing
8058 @section Pretty Printing
8059
8060 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8061 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8062 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8063
8064 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
8065 pretty-printer:
8066
8067 @smallexample
8068 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8069 $1 = @{
8070 static npos = 4294967295,
8071 _M_dataplus = @{
8072 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8073 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8074 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8075 @},
8076 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8077 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8078 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8079 @}
8080 @}
8081 @end smallexample
8082
8083 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8084
8085 @smallexample
8086 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8087 $2 = "abcd"
8088 @end smallexample
8089
8090 For implementing pretty printers for new types you should read the Python API
8091 details (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
8092
8093 @node Value History
8094 @section Value History
8095
8096 @cindex value history
8097 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8098 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8099 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8100 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8101 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8102 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8103 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8104 symbol table.
8105
8106 @cindex @code{$}
8107 @cindex @code{$$}
8108 @cindex history number
8109 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8110 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8111 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8112 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8113 history number.
8114
8115 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8116 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8117 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8118 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8119 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8120 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8121 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8122
8123 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8124 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8125
8126 @smallexample
8127 p *$
8128 @end smallexample
8129
8130 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8131 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8132
8133 @smallexample
8134 p *$.next
8135 @end smallexample
8136
8137 @noindent
8138 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8139 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8140
8141 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8142 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8143
8144 @smallexample
8145 print x
8146 set x=5
8147 @end smallexample
8148
8149 @noindent
8150 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8151 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8152
8153 @table @code
8154 @kindex show values
8155 @item show values
8156 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8157 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8158 values} does not change the history.
8159
8160 @item show values @var{n}
8161 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8162
8163 @item show values +
8164 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8165 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8166 @end table
8167
8168 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8169 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8170
8171 @node Convenience Vars
8172 @section Convenience Variables
8173
8174 @cindex convenience variables
8175 @cindex user-defined variables
8176 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8177 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8178 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8179 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8180 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8181
8182 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8183 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8184 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8185 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8186 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8187
8188 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8189 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8190 For example:
8191
8192 @smallexample
8193 set $foo = *object_ptr
8194 @end smallexample
8195
8196 @noindent
8197 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8198 @code{object_ptr}.
8199
8200 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8201 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8202 value with another assignment at any time.
8203
8204 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8205 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8206 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8207 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8208
8209 @table @code
8210 @kindex show convenience
8211 @cindex show all user variables
8212 @item show convenience
8213 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8214 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8215
8216 @kindex init-if-undefined
8217 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8218 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8219 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8220 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8221 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8222 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8223 override default values used in a command script.
8224
8225 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8226 any side-effects do not occur.
8227 @end table
8228
8229 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8230 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8231 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8232
8233 @smallexample
8234 set $i = 0
8235 print bar[$i++]->contents
8236 @end smallexample
8237
8238 @noindent
8239 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8240
8241 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8242 values likely to be useful.
8243
8244 @table @code
8245 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8246 @item $_
8247 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8248 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8249 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8250 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8251 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8252 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8253 to the type of @code{$__}.
8254
8255 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8256 @item $__
8257 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8258 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8259 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8260
8261 @item $_exitcode
8262 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8263 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8264 the program being debugged terminates.
8265
8266 @item $_siginfo
8267 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8268 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8269 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8270 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8271 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8272
8273 @item $_tlb
8274 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8275 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8276 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8277 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8278 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8279 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8280
8281 @end table
8282
8283 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8284 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8285 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8286
8287 @cindex convenience functions
8288 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8289 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8290 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8291 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8292 @value{GDBN}.
8293
8294 @table @code
8295 @item help function
8296 @kindex help function
8297 @cindex show all convenience functions
8298 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8299 @end table
8300
8301 @node Registers
8302 @section Registers
8303
8304 @cindex registers
8305 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8306 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8307 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8308 your machine.
8309
8310 @table @code
8311 @kindex info registers
8312 @item info registers
8313 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8314 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8315
8316 @kindex info all-registers
8317 @cindex floating point registers
8318 @item info all-registers
8319 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8320 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8321
8322 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8323 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8324 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8325 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8326 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8327 @end table
8328
8329 @cindex stack pointer register
8330 @cindex program counter register
8331 @cindex process status register
8332 @cindex frame pointer register
8333 @cindex standard registers
8334 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8335 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8336 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8337 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8338 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8339 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8340 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8341 you could print the program counter in hex with
8342
8343 @smallexample
8344 p/x $pc
8345 @end smallexample
8346
8347 @noindent
8348 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8349
8350 @smallexample
8351 x/i $pc
8352 @end smallexample
8353
8354 @noindent
8355 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8356 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8357 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8358 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8359 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8360 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8361 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8362
8363 @smallexample
8364 set $sp += 4
8365 @end smallexample
8366
8367 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8368 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8369 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8370 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8371 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8372 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8373 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8374
8375 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8376 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8377 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8378 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8379 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8380 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8381 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8382
8383 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8384 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8385 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8386 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8387 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8388 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8389 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8390 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8391 prints the data in both formats.
8392
8393 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8394 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8395 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8396 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8397 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8398 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8399 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8400
8401 @smallexample
8402 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8403 $1 = @{
8404 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8405 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8406 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8407 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8408 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8409 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8410 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8411 @}
8412 @end smallexample
8413
8414 @noindent
8415 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8416 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8417 value to a @code{struct} member:
8418
8419 @smallexample
8420 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8421 @end smallexample
8422
8423 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8424 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8425 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8426 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8427 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8428 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8429
8430 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8431 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8432 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8433 frame makes no difference.
8434
8435 @node Floating Point Hardware
8436 @section Floating Point Hardware
8437 @cindex floating point
8438
8439 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8440 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8441
8442 @table @code
8443 @kindex info float
8444 @item info float
8445 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8446 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8447 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8448 the ARM and x86 machines.
8449 @end table
8450
8451 @node Vector Unit
8452 @section Vector Unit
8453 @cindex vector unit
8454
8455 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8456 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8457
8458 @table @code
8459 @kindex info vector
8460 @item info vector
8461 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8462 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8463 @end table
8464
8465 @node OS Information
8466 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8467 @cindex OS information
8468
8469 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8470 you debug your program.
8471
8472 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8473 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8474 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8475 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8476 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8477 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8478 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8479 structure.
8480
8481 @table @code
8482 @item info udot
8483 @kindex info udot
8484 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8485 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8486 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8487 the @code{examine} command.
8488 @end table
8489
8490 @cindex auxiliary vector
8491 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8492 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8493 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8494 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8495 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8496 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8497 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8498 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8499 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8500 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8501 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8502 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8503
8504 @table @code
8505 @kindex info auxv
8506 @item info auxv
8507 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8508 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8509 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8510 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8511 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8512 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8513 an unrecognized tag.
8514 @end table
8515
8516 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8517 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8518 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8519 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8520
8521 @table @code
8522 @kindex info os
8523 @item info os
8524 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8525 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8526 report an error.
8527
8528 @kindex info os processes
8529 @item info os processes
8530 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8531 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8532 the command corresponding to the process.
8533 @end table
8534
8535 @node Memory Region Attributes
8536 @section Memory Region Attributes
8537 @cindex memory region attributes
8538
8539 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8540 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8541 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8542 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8543 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8544 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8545 user can override the fetched regions.
8546
8547 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8548 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8549 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8550 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8551 all memory.
8552
8553 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8554 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8555
8556 @table @code
8557 @kindex mem
8558 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8559 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8560 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8561 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8562 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8563 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8564
8565 @item mem auto
8566 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8567 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8568
8569 @kindex delete mem
8570 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8571 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8572 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8573
8574 @kindex disable mem
8575 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8576 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8577 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8578 It may be enabled again later.
8579
8580 @kindex enable mem
8581 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8582 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8583
8584 @kindex info mem
8585 @item info mem
8586 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8587 for each region:
8588
8589 @table @emph
8590 @item Memory Region Number
8591 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8592 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8593 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8594
8595 @item Lo Address
8596 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8597
8598 @item Hi Address
8599 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8600
8601 @item Attributes
8602 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8603 @end table
8604 @end table
8605
8606
8607 @subsection Attributes
8608
8609 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8610 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8611 write accesses to a memory region.
8612
8613 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8614 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8615 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8616
8617 @table @code
8618 @item ro
8619 Memory is read only.
8620 @item wo
8621 Memory is write only.
8622 @item rw
8623 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8624 @end table
8625
8626 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8627 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8628 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8629 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8630 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8631
8632 @table @code
8633 @item 8
8634 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8635 @item 16
8636 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8637 @item 32
8638 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8639 @item 64
8640 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8641 @end table
8642
8643 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8644 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8645 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8646 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8647 @c
8648 @c @table @code
8649 @c @item hwbreak
8650 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8651 @c @item swbreak (default)
8652 @c @end table
8653
8654 @subsubsection Data Cache
8655 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8656 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8657 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8658 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8659 registers.
8660
8661 @table @code
8662 @item cache
8663 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8664 @item nocache
8665 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8666 @end table
8667
8668 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8669 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8670 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8671 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8672 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8673
8674 @table @code
8675 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8676 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8677 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8678 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8679 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8680 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8681 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8682 The default value is @code{on}.
8683 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8684 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8685 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8686 @end table
8687
8688
8689 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8690 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8691 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8692 @c
8693 @c @table @code
8694 @c @item verify
8695 @c @item noverify (default)
8696 @c @end table
8697
8698 @node Dump/Restore Files
8699 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8700 @cindex dump/restore files
8701 @cindex append data to a file
8702 @cindex dump data to a file
8703 @cindex restore data from a file
8704
8705 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8706 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8707 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8708 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8709 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8710 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8711 files.
8712
8713 @table @code
8714
8715 @kindex dump
8716 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8717 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8718 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8719 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8720
8721 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8722 @table @code
8723 @item binary
8724 Raw binary form.
8725 @item ihex
8726 Intel hex format.
8727 @item srec
8728 Motorola S-record format.
8729 @item tekhex
8730 Tektronix Hex format.
8731 @end table
8732
8733 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8734 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8735 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8736 form.
8737
8738 @kindex append
8739 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8740 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8741 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8742 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8743 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8744
8745 @kindex restore
8746 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8747 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8748 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8749 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8750 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8751
8752 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8753 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8754 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8755 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8756 from that location.
8757
8758 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8759 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8760 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8761 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8762
8763 @end table
8764
8765 @node Core File Generation
8766 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8767 @cindex dump core from inferior
8768
8769 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8770 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8771 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8772 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8773 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8774 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8775 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8776
8777 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8778 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8779 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8780
8781 @table @code
8782 @kindex gcore
8783 @kindex generate-core-file
8784 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8785 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8786 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8787 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8788 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8789 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8790
8791 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8792 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8793 @end table
8794
8795 @node Character Sets
8796 @section Character Sets
8797 @cindex character sets
8798 @cindex charset
8799 @cindex translating between character sets
8800 @cindex host character set
8801 @cindex target character set
8802
8803 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8804 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8805 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8806 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8807 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8808 @dfn{target character set}.
8809
8810 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8811 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8812 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8813 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8814 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8815 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8816 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8817 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8818 character and string literals in expressions.
8819
8820 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8821 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8822 target-charset} command, described below.
8823
8824 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8825 support:
8826
8827 @table @code
8828 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8829 @kindex set target-charset
8830 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8831 list of supported target character sets, type
8832 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8833
8834 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8835 @kindex set host-charset
8836 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8837
8838 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8839 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8840 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8841 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8842 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8843
8844 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8845 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8846 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8847
8848 @item set charset @var{charset}
8849 @kindex set charset
8850 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8851 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8852 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8853 for both host and target.
8854
8855 @item show charset
8856 @kindex show charset
8857 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8858
8859 @item show host-charset
8860 @kindex show host-charset
8861 Show the name of the current host character set.
8862
8863 @item show target-charset
8864 @kindex show target-charset
8865 Show the name of the current target character set.
8866
8867 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8868 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8869 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8870 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8871 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8872 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8873
8874 @item show target-wide-charset
8875 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8876 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8877 @end table
8878
8879 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8880 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8881 @file{charset-test.c}:
8882
8883 @smallexample
8884 #include <stdio.h>
8885
8886 char ascii_hello[]
8887 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8888 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8889 char ibm1047_hello[]
8890 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8891 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8892
8893 main ()
8894 @{
8895 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8896 @}
8897 @end smallexample
8898
8899 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8900 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8901 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8902
8903 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8904
8905 @smallexample
8906 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8907 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8908 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8909 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8910 @dots{}
8911 (@value{GDBP})
8912 @end smallexample
8913
8914 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8915 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8916 strings:
8917
8918 @smallexample
8919 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8920 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8921 (@value{GDBP})
8922 @end smallexample
8923
8924 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8925 initial character set:
8926 @smallexample
8927 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8928 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8929 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8930 (@value{GDBP})
8931 @end smallexample
8932
8933 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8934 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8935 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8936 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8937 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8938
8939 @smallexample
8940 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8941 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8942 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8943 $2 = 72 'H'
8944 (@value{GDBP})
8945 @end smallexample
8946
8947 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8948 literals you use in expressions:
8949
8950 @smallexample
8951 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8952 $3 = 43 '+'
8953 (@value{GDBP})
8954 @end smallexample
8955
8956 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8957 character.
8958
8959 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8960 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8961 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8962
8963 @smallexample
8964 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8965 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8966 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8967 $5 = 200 '\310'
8968 (@value{GDBP})
8969 @end smallexample
8970
8971 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8972 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8973
8974 @smallexample
8975 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8976 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8977 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8978 @end smallexample
8979
8980 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8981 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8982 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8983 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8984 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8985
8986 @smallexample
8987 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8988 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8989 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8990 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8991 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8992 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8993 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8994 $7 = 72 '\110'
8995 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8996 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8997 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8998 $9 = 200 'H'
8999 (@value{GDBP})
9000 @end smallexample
9001
9002 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9003 string literals you use in expressions:
9004
9005 @smallexample
9006 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9007 $10 = 78 '+'
9008 (@value{GDBP})
9009 @end smallexample
9010
9011 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9012 character.
9013
9014 @node Caching Remote Data
9015 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9016 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9017
9018 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9019 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9020 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9021 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9022 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9023 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9024 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9025 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9026 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9027 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9028 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9029 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9030 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9031 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9032 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9033
9034 @table @code
9035 @kindex set remotecache
9036 @item set remotecache on
9037 @itemx set remotecache off
9038 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9039 with old scripts.
9040
9041 @kindex show remotecache
9042 @item show remotecache
9043 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9044
9045 @kindex set stack-cache
9046 @item set stack-cache on
9047 @itemx set stack-cache off
9048 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9049 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9050
9051 @kindex show stack-cache
9052 @item show stack-cache
9053 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9054
9055 @kindex info dcache
9056 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9057 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9058 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9059 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9060 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9061 operation.
9062
9063 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9064 printed in hex.
9065 @end table
9066
9067 @node Searching Memory
9068 @section Search Memory
9069 @cindex searching memory
9070
9071 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9072 @code{find} command.
9073
9074 @table @code
9075 @kindex find
9076 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9077 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9078 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9079 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9080 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9081 @end table
9082
9083 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9084 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9085
9086 @table @r
9087 @item @var{s}, search query size
9088 The size of each search query value.
9089
9090 @table @code
9091 @item b
9092 bytes
9093 @item h
9094 halfwords (two bytes)
9095 @item w
9096 words (four bytes)
9097 @item g
9098 giant words (eight bytes)
9099 @end table
9100
9101 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9102 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9103 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9104
9105 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9106 value's type in the current language.
9107 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9108 pattern as a mixture of types.
9109 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9110 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9111 which is typically four bytes.
9112
9113 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9114 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9115 @end table
9116
9117 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9118 (@code{"}).
9119 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9120 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9121
9122 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9123 number of matches found.
9124
9125 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9126 @samp{$_}.
9127 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9128
9129 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9130
9131 @smallexample
9132 void
9133 hello ()
9134 @{
9135 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9136 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9137 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9138 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9139 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9140 @}
9141 @end smallexample
9142
9143 @noindent
9144 you get during debugging:
9145
9146 @smallexample
9147 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9148 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9149 1 pattern found
9150 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9151 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9152 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9153 2 patterns found
9154 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9155 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9156 1 pattern found
9157 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9158 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9159 1 pattern found
9160 (gdb) print $numfound
9161 $1 = 1
9162 (gdb) print $_
9163 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9164 @end smallexample
9165
9166 @node Optimized Code
9167 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9168 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9169 @cindex debugging optimized code
9170
9171 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9172 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9173 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9174 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9175 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9176 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9177 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9178
9179 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9180 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9181 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9182 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9183
9184 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9185 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9186 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9187 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9188 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9189 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9190
9191 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9192 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9193 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9194 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9195 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9196
9197 @menu
9198 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9199 @end menu
9200
9201 @node Inline Functions
9202 @section Inline Functions
9203 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9204
9205 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9206 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9207 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9208 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9209 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9210 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9211 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9212 @code{info frame} command.
9213
9214 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9215 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9216 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9217 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9218 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9219 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9220 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9221 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9222 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9223 local variables in the caller.
9224
9225 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9226 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9227 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9228 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9229 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9230 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9231 instructions are executed.
9232
9233 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9234 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9235 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9236 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9237
9238 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9239 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9240
9241 @itemize @bullet
9242 @item
9243 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9244 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9245 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9246 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9247 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9248 function instead.
9249
9250 @item
9251 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9252 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9253 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9254 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9255 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9256 or inside the inlined function instead.
9257
9258 @item
9259 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9260 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9261 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9262 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9263
9264 @end itemize
9265
9266
9267 @node Macros
9268 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9269
9270 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9271 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9272 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9273 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9274 where it was defined.
9275
9276 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9277 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9278 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9279 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9280
9281 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9282 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9283 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9284 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9285 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9286 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9287 see @ref{List}.
9288
9289 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9290 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9291 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9292
9293 @table @code
9294
9295 @kindex macro expand
9296 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9297 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9298 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9299 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9300 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9301 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9302 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9303 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9304 it can be any string of tokens.
9305
9306 @kindex macro exp1
9307 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9308 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9309 @cindex expand macro once
9310 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9311 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9312 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9313 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9314 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9315 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9316 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9317 can be any string of tokens.
9318
9319 @kindex info macro
9320 @cindex macro definition, showing
9321 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9322 @item info macro @var{macro}
9323 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9324 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9325
9326 @kindex macro define
9327 @cindex user-defined macros
9328 @cindex defining macros interactively
9329 @cindex macros, user-defined
9330 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9331 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9332 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9333 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9334 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9335 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9336 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9337 @var{arglist}.
9338
9339 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9340 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9341 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9342 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9343 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9344
9345 @kindex macro undef
9346 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9347 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9348 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9349 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9350 in the program being debugged.
9351
9352 @kindex macro list
9353 @item macro list
9354 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9355 @end table
9356
9357 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9358 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9359 show our source files:
9360
9361 @smallexample
9362 $ cat sample.c
9363 #include <stdio.h>
9364 #include "sample.h"
9365
9366 #define M 42
9367 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9368
9369 main ()
9370 @{
9371 #define N 28
9372 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9373 #undef N
9374 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9375 #define N 1729
9376 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9377 @}
9378 $ cat sample.h
9379 #define Q <
9380 $
9381 @end smallexample
9382
9383 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9384 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9385 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9386 information.
9387
9388 @smallexample
9389 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9390 $
9391 @end smallexample
9392
9393 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9394
9395 @smallexample
9396 $ gdb -nw sample
9397 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9398 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9399 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9400 (@value{GDBP})
9401 @end smallexample
9402
9403 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9404 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9405 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9406
9407 @smallexample
9408 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9409 3
9410 4 #define M 42
9411 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9412 6
9413 7 main ()
9414 8 @{
9415 9 #define N 28
9416 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9417 11 #undef N
9418 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9419 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9420 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9421 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9422 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9423 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9424 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9425 #define Q <
9426 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9427 expands to: (42 + 1)
9428 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9429 expands to: once (M + 1)
9430 (@value{GDBP})
9431 @end smallexample
9432
9433 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9434 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9435 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9436 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9437
9438 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9439 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9440
9441 @smallexample
9442 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9443 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9444 (@value{GDBP}) run
9445 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9446
9447 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9448 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9449 (@value{GDBP})
9450 @end smallexample
9451
9452 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9453
9454 @smallexample
9455 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9456 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9457 #define N 28
9458 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9459 expands to: 28 < 42
9460 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9461 $1 = 1
9462 (@value{GDBP})
9463 @end smallexample
9464
9465 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9466 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9467 thereof) in force at each point:
9468
9469 @smallexample
9470 (@value{GDBP}) next
9471 Hello, world!
9472 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9473 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9474 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9475 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9476 (@value{GDBP}) next
9477 We're so creative.
9478 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9479 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9480 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9481 #define N 1729
9482 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9483 expands to: 1729 < 42
9484 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9485 $2 = 0
9486 (@value{GDBP})
9487 @end smallexample
9488
9489 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9490 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9491 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9492 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9493
9494 @smallexample
9495 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9496 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9497 -D__STDC__=1
9498 (@value{GDBP})
9499 @end smallexample
9500
9501
9502 @node Tracepoints
9503 @chapter Tracepoints
9504 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9505 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9506
9507 @cindex tracepoints
9508 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9509 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9510 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9511 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9512 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9513 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9514 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9515
9516 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9517 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9518 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9519 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9520 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9521 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9522 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9523 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9524 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9525 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9526 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9527
9528 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9529 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9530 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9531 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9532 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9533 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9534 Packets}.
9535
9536 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9537 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9538 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9539
9540 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9541
9542 @menu
9543 * Set Tracepoints::
9544 * Analyze Collected Data::
9545 * Tracepoint Variables::
9546 * Trace Files::
9547 @end menu
9548
9549 @node Set Tracepoints
9550 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9551
9552 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9553 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9554 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9555 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9556 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9557 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9558 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9559
9560 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9561 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9562 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9563 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9564 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9565 tracepoint was hit.
9566
9567 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9568 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9569 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9570 either.
9571
9572 @cindex fast tracepoints
9573 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9574 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9575 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9576
9577 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9578 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9579
9580 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9581 conditions and actions.
9582
9583 @menu
9584 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9585 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9586 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9587 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9588 * Trace State Variables::
9589 * Tracepoint Actions::
9590 * Listing Tracepoints::
9591 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9592 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9593 @end menu
9594
9595 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9596 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9597
9598 @table @code
9599 @cindex set tracepoint
9600 @kindex trace
9601 @item trace @var{location}
9602 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9603 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9604 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9605 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9606 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9607 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9608 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9609 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9610 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9611
9612 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9613
9614 @smallexample
9615 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9616
9617 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9618
9619 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9620
9621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9622
9623 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9624 @end smallexample
9625
9626 @noindent
9627 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9628
9629 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9630 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9631 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9632 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9633 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9634 information on tracepoint conditions.
9635
9636 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9637 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9638 @kindex ftrace
9639 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9640 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9641 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9642 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9643 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9644 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9645 message.
9646
9647 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9648 @code{trace}.
9649
9650 @vindex $tpnum
9651 @cindex last tracepoint number
9652 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9653 @cindex tracepoint number
9654 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9655 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9656
9657 @kindex delete tracepoint
9658 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9659 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9660 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9661 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9662 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9663
9664 Examples:
9665
9666 @smallexample
9667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9668
9669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9670 @end smallexample
9671
9672 @noindent
9673 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9674 @end table
9675
9676 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9677 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9678
9679 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9680
9681 @table @code
9682 @kindex disable tracepoint
9683 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9684 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9685 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9686 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9687 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9688
9689 @kindex enable tracepoint
9690 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9691 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9692 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9693 run.
9694 @end table
9695
9696 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9697 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9698
9699 @table @code
9700 @kindex passcount
9701 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9702 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9703 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9704 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9705 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9706 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9707 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9708 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9709 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9710 user.
9711
9712 Examples:
9713
9714 @smallexample
9715 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9716 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9717
9718 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9719 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9725 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9726 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9727 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9728 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9729 @end smallexample
9730 @end table
9731
9732 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9733 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9734 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9735 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9736
9737 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9738 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9739 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9740 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9741 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9742 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9743 is true.
9744
9745 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9746 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9747 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9748 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9749 just as with breakpoints.
9750
9751 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9752 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9753 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9754 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9755 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9756 accesses, and so forth.
9757
9758 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9759 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9760 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9761 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9762 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9763 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9764 search through.
9765
9766 @smallexample
9767 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9768 @end smallexample
9769
9770 @node Trace State Variables
9771 @subsection Trace State Variables
9772 @cindex trace state variables
9773
9774 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9775 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9776 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9777 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9778 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9779 integers.
9780
9781 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9782 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9783 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9784 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9785
9786 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9787 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9788 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9789 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9790 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9791 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9792 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9793 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9794 variable with the same name.
9795
9796 @table @code
9797
9798 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9799 @kindex tvariable
9800 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9801 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9802 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9803 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9804 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9805 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9806 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9807 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9808 value. The default initial value is 0.
9809
9810 @item info tvariables
9811 @kindex info tvariables
9812 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9813 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9814 currently running.
9815
9816 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9817 @kindex delete tvariable
9818 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9819 are specified.
9820
9821 @end table
9822
9823 @node Tracepoint Actions
9824 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9825
9826 @table @code
9827 @kindex actions
9828 @cindex tracepoint actions
9829 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9830 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9831 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9832 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9833 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9834 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9835 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9836 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9837 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
9838 @code{while-stepping}.
9839
9840 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
9841 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
9842 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
9843
9844 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9845 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9846 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9847
9848 @smallexample
9849 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9850
9851 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9852
9853 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9854 @end smallexample
9855
9856 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9857 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9858 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9859 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9860 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
9861 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9862 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
9863 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
9864
9865 @smallexample
9866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9867 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9868 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9869 > collect bar,baz
9870 > collect $regs
9871 > while-stepping 12
9872 > collect $pc, arr[i]
9873 > end
9874 end
9875 @end smallexample
9876
9877 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9878 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9879 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9880 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9881 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9882 special arguments are supported:
9883
9884 @table @code
9885 @item $regs
9886 collect all registers
9887
9888 @item $args
9889 collect all function arguments
9890
9891 @item $locals
9892 collect all local variables.
9893 @end table
9894
9895 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9896 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9897 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
9898
9899 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9900 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9901
9902 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
9903 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9904 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
9905 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
9906 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
9907 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
9908 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
9909 action were used.
9910
9911 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9912 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9913 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
9914 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
9915 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
9916 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
9917
9918 @smallexample
9919 > while-stepping 12
9920 > collect $regs, myglobal
9921 > end
9922 >
9923 @end smallexample
9924
9925 @noindent
9926 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
9927 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
9928 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9929 @code{stepping}.
9930
9931 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9932 @kindex set default-collect
9933 @cindex default collection action
9934 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9935 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9936 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9937 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9938 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9939 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9940
9941 @item show default-collect
9942 @kindex show default-collect
9943 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9944 tracepoint hit.
9945
9946 @end table
9947
9948 @node Listing Tracepoints
9949 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9950
9951 @table @code
9952 @kindex info tracepoints
9953 @kindex info tp
9954 @cindex information about tracepoints
9955 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9956 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9957 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9958 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9959 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9960 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9961
9962 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9963 tracing:
9964
9965 @itemize @bullet
9966 @item
9967 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9968 @end itemize
9969
9970 @smallexample
9971 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9972 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9973 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9974 while-stepping 20
9975 collect globfoo, $regs
9976 end
9977 collect globfoo2
9978 end
9979 pass count 1200
9980 (@value{GDBP})
9981 @end smallexample
9982
9983 @noindent
9984 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9985 @end table
9986
9987 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9988 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9989
9990 @table @code
9991 @kindex tstart
9992 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9993 @cindex collected data discarded
9994 @item tstart
9995 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9996 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9997 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9998 experiment.
9999
10000 @kindex tstop
10001 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10002 @item tstop
10003 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10004 stops collecting data.
10005
10006 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10007 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10008 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10009
10010 @kindex tstatus
10011 @cindex status of trace data collection
10012 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10013 @item tstatus
10014 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10015 collection.
10016 @end table
10017
10018 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10019
10020 @smallexample
10021 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10022 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10023 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10024 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10025 > while-stepping 11
10026 > collect $regs
10027 > end
10028 > end
10029 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10030 [time passes @dots{}]
10031 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10032 @end smallexample
10033
10034 @cindex disconnected tracing
10035 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10036 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10037 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10038 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10039 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10040 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10041 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10042 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10043
10044 @table @code
10045 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10046 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10047 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10048 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10049 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10050 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10051 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10052 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10053
10054 @item show disconnected-tracing
10055 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10056 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10057
10058 @end table
10059
10060 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10061 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10062 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10063 it will continue after reconnection.
10064
10065 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10066 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10067 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10068 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10069 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10070 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10071 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10072 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10073 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10074 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10075
10076 @cindex circular trace buffer
10077 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10078 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10079 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10080 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10081 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10082 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10083 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10084 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10085 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10086 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10087 the next run.
10088
10089 @table @code
10090 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10091 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10092 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10093 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10094 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10095 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10096 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10097
10098 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10099 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10100 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10101 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10102 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10103 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10104
10105 @end table
10106
10107 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10108 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10109
10110 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10111 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10112 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10113 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10114 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10115 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10116 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10117 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10118 mentioned here.
10119
10120 @itemize @bullet
10121
10122 @item
10123 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10124 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10125 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10126 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10127 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10128 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10129 cannot be collected either.
10130
10131 @item
10132 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10133 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10134 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10135 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10136 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10137 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10138 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10139 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10140 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10141 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10142
10143 @item
10144 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10145 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10146 in a misleading way.
10147
10148 @item
10149 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10150 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10151 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10152 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10153 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10154 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10155 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10156 by @code{ptr}.
10157
10158 @item
10159 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10160 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10161 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10162 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10163 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10164 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10165 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10166 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10167 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10168 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10169 invalid address.
10170
10171 @item
10172 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10173 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10174 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10175 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10176 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10177 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10178 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10179 it to zero.
10180
10181 @end itemize
10182
10183 @node Analyze Collected Data
10184 @section Using the Collected Data
10185
10186 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10187 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10188 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10189 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10190 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10191 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10192 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10193 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10194 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10195 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10196 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10197 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10198 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10199 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10200 the buffer will fail.
10201
10202 @menu
10203 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10204 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10205 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10206 @end menu
10207
10208 @node tfind
10209 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10210
10211 @kindex tfind
10212 @cindex select trace snapshot
10213 @cindex find trace snapshot
10214 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10215 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10216 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10217 snapshot is selected.
10218
10219 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10220
10221 @table @code
10222 @item tfind start
10223 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10224 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10225
10226 @item tfind none
10227 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10228
10229 @item tfind end
10230 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10231
10232 @item tfind
10233 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10234
10235 @item tfind -
10236 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10237 retracing earlier steps.
10238
10239 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10240 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10241 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10242 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10243 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10244
10245 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10246 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10247 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10248 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10249 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10250
10251 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10252 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10253 addresses (exclusive).
10254
10255 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10256 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10257 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10258
10259 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10260 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10261 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10262 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10263 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10264 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10265 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10266 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10267 @end table
10268
10269 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10270 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10271 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10272 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10273 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10274 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10275 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10276 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10277 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10278 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10279 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10280 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10281 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10282 tracepoint as the current one.
10283
10284 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10285 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10286 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10287 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10288 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10289
10290 @smallexample
10291 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10292 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10293 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10294 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10295 > tfind
10296 > end
10297
10298 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10299 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10300 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10301 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10302 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10303 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10304 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10305 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10306 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10307 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10308 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10309 @end smallexample
10310
10311 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10312 the buffer:
10313
10314 @smallexample
10315 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10316 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10317 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10318 > tfind line
10319 > end
10320
10321 Frame 0, X = 1
10322 Frame 7, X = 2
10323 Frame 13, X = 255
10324 @end smallexample
10325
10326 @node tdump
10327 @subsection @code{tdump}
10328 @kindex tdump
10329 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10330 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10331
10332 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10333 the current trace snapshot.
10334
10335 @smallexample
10336 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10337 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10338 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10339 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10340 > end
10341
10342 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10343
10344 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10345 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10346 at gdb_test.c:444
10347 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10348
10349 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10350 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10351 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10352 d1 0x18 24
10353 d2 0x80 128
10354 d3 0x33 51
10355 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10356 d5 0x22 34
10357 d6 0xe0 224
10358 d7 0x380035 3670069
10359 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10360 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10361 a2 0x100 256
10362 a3 0x322000 3284992
10363 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10364 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10365 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10366 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10367 ps 0x0 0
10368 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10369 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10370 fpstatus 0x0 0
10371 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10372 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10373 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10374 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10375 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10376 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10377 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10378 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10379 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10380
10381 (@value{GDBP})
10382 @end smallexample
10383
10384 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10385 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10386 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10387 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10388
10389 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10390 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10391 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10392 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10393 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10394 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10395 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10396 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10397 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10398 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10399
10400 @node save tracepoints
10401 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10402 @kindex save tracepoints
10403 @kindex save-tracepoints
10404 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10405
10406 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10407 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10408 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10409 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10410 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10411 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10412
10413 @node Tracepoint Variables
10414 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10415 @cindex tracepoint variables
10416 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10417
10418 @table @code
10419 @vindex $trace_frame
10420 @item (int) $trace_frame
10421 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10422 snapshot is selected.
10423
10424 @vindex $tracepoint
10425 @item (int) $tracepoint
10426 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10427
10428 @vindex $trace_line
10429 @item (int) $trace_line
10430 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10431
10432 @vindex $trace_file
10433 @item (char []) $trace_file
10434 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10435
10436 @vindex $trace_func
10437 @item (char []) $trace_func
10438 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10439 @end table
10440
10441 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10442 use @code{output} instead.
10443
10444 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10445 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10446 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10447 which are managed by the target.
10448
10449 @smallexample
10450 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10451
10452 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10453 > output $trace_file
10454 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10455 > tfind
10456 > end
10457 @end smallexample
10458
10459 @node Trace Files
10460 @section Using Trace Files
10461 @cindex trace files
10462
10463 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10464 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10465 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10466 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10467 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10468
10469 @table @code
10470
10471 @kindex tsave
10472 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10473 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10474 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10475 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10476 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10477 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10478 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10479 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10480 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10481
10482 @kindex target tfile
10483 @kindex tfile
10484 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10485 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10486 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10487 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10488 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10489 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10490 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10491
10492 @end table
10493
10494 @node Overlays
10495 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10496 @cindex overlays
10497
10498 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10499 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10500 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10501 use overlays.
10502
10503 @menu
10504 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10505 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10506 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10507 mapped by asking the inferior.
10508 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10509 @end menu
10510
10511 @node How Overlays Work
10512 @section How Overlays Work
10513 @cindex mapped overlays
10514 @cindex unmapped overlays
10515 @cindex load address, overlay's
10516 @cindex mapped address
10517 @cindex overlay area
10518
10519 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10520 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10521 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10522 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10523 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10524
10525 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10526 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10527 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10528 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10529 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10530 largest overlay as well.
10531
10532 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10533 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10534 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10535 there.
10536
10537 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10538 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10539 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10540
10541 @smallexample
10542 @group
10543 Data Instruction Larger
10544 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10545 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10546 | | | | | |
10547 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10548 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10549 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10550 | and heap | | | | | |
10551 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10552 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10553 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10554 | | | | | |
10555 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10556 address | | | | | |
10557 | overlay | <-' | | |
10558 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10559 | | <---. | | load address
10560 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10561 | | | |
10562 +-----------+ | |
10563 +-----------+
10564 | |
10565 +-----------+
10566
10567 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10568 @end group
10569 @end smallexample
10570
10571 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10572 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10573 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10574 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10575 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10576 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10577 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10578 program and the overlay area.
10579
10580 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10581 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10582 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10583 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10584 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10585 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10586 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10587
10588 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10589 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10590 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10591
10592 @itemize @bullet
10593
10594 @item
10595 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10596 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10597 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10598 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10599
10600 @item
10601 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10602 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10603 your program's performance.
10604
10605 @item
10606 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10607 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10608 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10609 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10610 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10611 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10612 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10613
10614 @item
10615 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10616 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10617 instruction and data spaces.
10618
10619 @end itemize
10620
10621 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10622 improved in many ways:
10623
10624 @itemize @bullet
10625
10626 @item
10627 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10628 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10629 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10630 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10631 area in the usual way.
10632
10633 @item
10634 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10635 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10636
10637 @item
10638 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10639 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10640 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10641 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10642 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10643 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10644 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10645
10646 @end itemize
10647
10648
10649 @node Overlay Commands
10650 @section Overlay Commands
10651
10652 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10653 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10654 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10655 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10656 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10657 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10658
10659 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10660 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10661
10662 @table @code
10663 @item overlay off
10664 @kindex overlay
10665 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10666 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10667 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10668 overlay support is disabled.
10669
10670 @item overlay manual
10671 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10672 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10673 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10674 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10675 commands described below.
10676
10677 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10678 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10679 @cindex map an overlay
10680 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10681 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10682 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10683 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10684 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10685 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10686
10687 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10688 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10689 @cindex unmap an overlay
10690 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10691 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10692 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10693 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10694
10695 @item overlay auto
10696 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10697 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10698 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10699 Overlay Debugging}.
10700
10701 @item overlay load-target
10702 @itemx overlay load
10703 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10704 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10705 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10706 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10707 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10708 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10709
10710 @item overlay list-overlays
10711 @itemx overlay list
10712 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10713 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10714 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10715
10716 @end table
10717
10718 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10719 of the function the address falls in:
10720
10721 @smallexample
10722 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10723 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10724 @end smallexample
10725 @noindent
10726 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10727 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10728 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10729 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10730
10731 @smallexample
10732 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10733 No sections are mapped.
10734 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10735 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10736 @end smallexample
10737 @noindent
10738 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10739 name normally:
10740
10741 @smallexample
10742 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10743 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10744 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10745 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10746 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10747 @end smallexample
10748
10749 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10750 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10751 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10752 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10753 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10754
10755 @itemize @bullet
10756 @item
10757 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10758 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10759 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10760 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10761 @item
10762 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10763 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10764 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10765 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10766 breakpoints properly.
10767 @end itemize
10768
10769
10770 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10771 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10772 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10773
10774 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10775 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10776 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10777 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10778 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10779 current state of the overlays.
10780
10781 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10782 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10783
10784 @table @asis
10785
10786 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10787 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10788
10789 @smallexample
10790 struct
10791 @{
10792 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10793 unsigned long vma;
10794
10795 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10796 unsigned long size;
10797
10798 /* The overlay's load address. */
10799 unsigned long lma;
10800
10801 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10802 zero otherwise. */
10803 unsigned long mapped;
10804 @}
10805 @end smallexample
10806
10807 @item @code{_novlys}:
10808 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10809 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10810
10811 @end table
10812
10813 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10814 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10815 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10816 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10817 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10818 currently mapped.
10819
10820 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10821 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10822 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10823 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10824 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10825 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10826 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10827 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10828 are not being executed.
10829
10830 @node Overlay Sample Program
10831 @section Overlay Sample Program
10832 @cindex overlay example program
10833
10834 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10835 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10836 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10837 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10838 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10839 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10840 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10841
10842 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10843 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10844 suite. The program consists of the following files from
10845 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10846
10847 @table @file
10848 @item overlays.c
10849 The main program file.
10850 @item ovlymgr.c
10851 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10852 @item foo.c
10853 @itemx bar.c
10854 @itemx baz.c
10855 @itemx grbx.c
10856 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10857 @item d10v.ld
10858 @itemx m32r.ld
10859 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10860 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10861 @end table
10862
10863 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10864 cross-compiler like this:
10865
10866 @smallexample
10867 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10868 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10869 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10870 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10871 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10872 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10873 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10874 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10875 @end smallexample
10876
10877 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10878 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10879 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10880
10881
10882 @node Languages
10883 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10884 @cindex languages
10885
10886 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10887 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10888 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10889 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10890 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10891 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10892
10893 @cindex working language
10894 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10895 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10896 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10897 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10898 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10899 language}.
10900
10901 @menu
10902 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
10903 * Show:: Displaying the language
10904 * Checks:: Type and range checks
10905 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10906 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10907 @end menu
10908
10909 @node Setting
10910 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10911
10912 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10913 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10914 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10915 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10916 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10917 are printed, etc.
10918
10919 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10920 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10921 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10922 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10923 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10924 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10925 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10926 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10927 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10928 Displaying the Language}.
10929
10930 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10931 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10932 another language. In that case, make the
10933 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10934 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10935 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10936
10937 @menu
10938 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10939 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10940 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10941 @end menu
10942
10943 @node Filenames
10944 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10945
10946 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10947 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10948
10949 @table @file
10950 @item .ada
10951 @itemx .ads
10952 @itemx .adb
10953 @itemx .a
10954 Ada source file.
10955
10956 @item .c
10957 C source file
10958
10959 @item .C
10960 @itemx .cc
10961 @itemx .cp
10962 @itemx .cpp
10963 @itemx .cxx
10964 @itemx .c++
10965 C@t{++} source file
10966
10967 @item .d
10968 D source file
10969
10970 @item .m
10971 Objective-C source file
10972
10973 @item .f
10974 @itemx .F
10975 Fortran source file
10976
10977 @item .mod
10978 Modula-2 source file
10979
10980 @item .s
10981 @itemx .S
10982 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10983 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10984 @end table
10985
10986 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10987 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10988
10989 @node Manually
10990 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10991
10992 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10993 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10994 your program.
10995
10996 @kindex set language
10997 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10998 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10999 a language, such as
11000 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11001 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11002
11003 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11004 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11005 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11006 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11007 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11008 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11009 command such as:
11010
11011 @smallexample
11012 print a = b + c
11013 @end smallexample
11014
11015 @noindent
11016 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11017 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11018 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11019 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11020
11021 @node Automatically
11022 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11023
11024 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11025 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11026 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11027 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11028 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11029 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11030 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11031 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11032 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11033
11034 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11035 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11036 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11037 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11038 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11039
11040 @node Show
11041 @section Displaying the Language
11042
11043 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11044 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11045
11046 @table @code
11047 @item show language
11048 @kindex show language
11049 Display the current working language. This is the
11050 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11051 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11052
11053 @item info frame
11054 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11055 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11056 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11057 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11058 information listed here.
11059
11060 @item info source
11061 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11062 Display the source language of this source file.
11063 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11064 information listed here.
11065 @end table
11066
11067 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11068 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11069 with a language explicitly:
11070
11071 @table @code
11072 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11073 @kindex set extension-language
11074 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11075 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11076
11077 @item info extensions
11078 @kindex info extensions
11079 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11080 @end table
11081
11082 @node Checks
11083 @section Type and Range Checking
11084
11085 @quotation
11086 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11087 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11088 section documents the intended facilities.
11089 @end quotation
11090 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11091
11092 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11093 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11094 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11095 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11096 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11097 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11098 errors when your program is running.
11099
11100 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11101 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11102 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11103 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11104 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11105 automatically based on your program's source language.
11106 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11107 settings of supported languages.
11108
11109 @menu
11110 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11111 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11112 @end menu
11113
11114 @cindex type checking
11115 @cindex checks, type
11116 @node Type Checking
11117 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11118
11119 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11120 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11121 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11122 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11123
11124 @smallexample
11125 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11126 @exdent but
11127 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11128 @end smallexample
11129
11130 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11131 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11132
11133 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11134 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11135 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11136 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11137 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11138 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11139 also issues a warning.
11140
11141 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11142 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11143 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11144 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11145 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11146 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11147
11148 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11149 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11150 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11151 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11152 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11153 details on specific languages.
11154
11155 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11156
11157 @kindex set check type
11158 @kindex show check type
11159 @table @code
11160 @item set check type auto
11161 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11162 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11163 each language.
11164
11165 @item set check type on
11166 @itemx set check type off
11167 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11168 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11169 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11170 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11171 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11172
11173 @item set check type warn
11174 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11175 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11176 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11177 numbers and structures.
11178
11179 @item show type
11180 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11181 is setting it automatically.
11182 @end table
11183
11184 @cindex range checking
11185 @cindex checks, range
11186 @node Range Checking
11187 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11188
11189 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11190 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11191 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11192 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11193 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11194
11195 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11196 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11197 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11198 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11199
11200 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11201 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11202 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11203 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11204 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11205 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11206
11207 @smallexample
11208 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11209 @end smallexample
11210
11211 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11212 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11213 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11214
11215 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11216
11217 @kindex set check range
11218 @kindex show check range
11219 @table @code
11220 @item set check range auto
11221 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11222 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11223 each language.
11224
11225 @item set check range on
11226 @itemx set check range off
11227 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11228 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11229 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11230 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11231
11232 @item set check range warn
11233 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11234 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11235 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11236 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11237 systems).
11238
11239 @item show range
11240 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11241 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11242 @end table
11243
11244 @node Supported Languages
11245 @section Supported Languages
11246
11247 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
11248 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11249 @c This is false ...
11250 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11251 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11252 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11253 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11254 language.
11255
11256 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11257 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11258 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11259 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11260 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11261 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11262 language reference or tutorial.
11263
11264 @menu
11265 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11266 * D:: D
11267 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11268 * Fortran:: Fortran
11269 * Pascal:: Pascal
11270 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11271 * Ada:: Ada
11272 @end menu
11273
11274 @node C
11275 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11276
11277 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11278 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11279
11280 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11281 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11282 together.
11283
11284 @cindex C@t{++}
11285 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11286 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11287 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11288 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11289 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11290 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11291 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11292
11293 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11294 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11295 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11296 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11297 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11298 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11299
11300 @menu
11301 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11302 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11303 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11304 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11305 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11306 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11307 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11308 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11309 @end menu
11310
11311 @node C Operators
11312 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11313
11314 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11315
11316 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11317 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11318 often defined on groups of types.
11319
11320 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11321
11322 @itemize @bullet
11323
11324 @item
11325 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11326 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11327
11328 @item
11329 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11330 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11331
11332 @item
11333 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11334
11335 @item
11336 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11337
11338 @end itemize
11339
11340 @noindent
11341 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11342 in order of increasing precedence:
11343
11344 @table @code
11345 @item ,
11346 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11347 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11348 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11349
11350 @item =
11351 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11352 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11353
11354 @item @var{op}=
11355 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11356 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11357 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11358 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11359 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11360
11361 @item ?:
11362 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11363 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11364 integral type.
11365
11366 @item ||
11367 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11368
11369 @item &&
11370 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11371
11372 @item |
11373 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11374
11375 @item ^
11376 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11377
11378 @item &
11379 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11380
11381 @item ==@r{, }!=
11382 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11383 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11384
11385 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11386 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11387 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11388 and non-zero for true.
11389
11390 @item <<@r{, }>>
11391 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11392
11393 @item @@
11394 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11395
11396 @item +@r{, }-
11397 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11398 pointer types.
11399
11400 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11401 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11402 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11403 integral types.
11404
11405 @item ++@r{, }--
11406 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11407 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11408 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11409 operation takes place.
11410
11411 @item *
11412 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11413 @code{++}.
11414
11415 @item &
11416 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11417
11418 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11419 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11420 to examine the address
11421 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11422 stored.
11423
11424 @item -
11425 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11426 precedence as @code{++}.
11427
11428 @item !
11429 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11430 @code{++}.
11431
11432 @item ~
11433 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11434 @code{++}.
11435
11436
11437 @item .@r{, }->
11438 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11439 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11440 pointer based on the stored type information.
11441 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11442
11443 @item .*@r{, }->*
11444 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11445
11446 @item []
11447 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11448 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11449
11450 @item ()
11451 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11452
11453 @item ::
11454 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11455 and @code{class} types.
11456
11457 @item ::
11458 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11459 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11460 above.
11461 @end table
11462
11463 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11464 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11465 predefined meaning.
11466
11467 @node C Constants
11468 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11469
11470 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11471
11472 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11473 following ways:
11474
11475 @itemize @bullet
11476 @item
11477 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11478 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11479 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11480 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11481 @code{long} value.
11482
11483 @item
11484 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11485 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11486 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11487 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11488 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11489 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11490 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11491 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11492 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11493 constant.
11494
11495 @item
11496 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11497 integral equivalents.
11498
11499 @item
11500 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11501 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11502 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11503 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11504 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11505 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11506 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11507 @samp{\n} for newline.
11508
11509 @item
11510 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11511 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11512 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11513 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11514 characters.
11515
11516 @item
11517 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11518 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11519
11520 @item
11521 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11522 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11523 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11524 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11525 @end itemize
11526
11527 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11528 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11529
11530 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11531 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11532
11533 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11534 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11535 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11536 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11537 @quotation
11538 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11539 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11540 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11541 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11542 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11543 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11544 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11545 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11546 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11547 C@t{++} code.
11548 @end quotation
11549
11550 @enumerate
11551
11552 @cindex member functions
11553 @item
11554 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11555
11556 @smallexample
11557 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11558 @end smallexample
11559
11560 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11561 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11562 @item
11563 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11564 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11565 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11566 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11567
11568 @cindex call overloaded functions
11569 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11570 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11571 @item
11572 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11573 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11574 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11575 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11576 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11577 default arguments.
11578
11579 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11580 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11581 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11582 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11583 number of function arguments.
11584
11585 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11586 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11587 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11588
11589 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11590 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11591 @smallexample
11592 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11593 @end smallexample
11594
11595 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11596 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11597
11598 @cindex reference declarations
11599 @item
11600 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11601 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11602 dereferenced.
11603
11604 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11605 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11606 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11607 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11608 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11609
11610 @item
11611 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11612 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11613 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11614 necessary, for example in an expression like
11615 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11616 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11617 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11618 @end enumerate
11619
11620 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11621 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11622 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11623 invoking user-defined operators.
11624
11625 @node C Defaults
11626 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11627
11628 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11629
11630 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11631 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11632 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11633 selects the working language.
11634
11635 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11636 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11637 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11638 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11639 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11640 for further details.
11641
11642 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11643 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11644 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11645
11646 @node C Checks
11647 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11648
11649 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11650
11651 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11652 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11653 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11654
11655 @itemize @bullet
11656 @item
11657 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11658 enumerated tag.
11659
11660 @item
11661 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11662 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11663
11664 @ignore
11665 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11666 @c FIXME--beers?
11667 @item
11668 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11669 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11670 compilers.)
11671 @end ignore
11672 @end itemize
11673
11674 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11675 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11676 that is not itself an array.
11677
11678 @node Debugging C
11679 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11680
11681 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11682 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11683 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11684 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11685
11686 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11687 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11688 ,Expressions}.
11689
11690 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11691 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11692
11693 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11694
11695 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11696 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11697
11698 @table @code
11699 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11700 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11701 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11702 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11703 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11704 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11705
11706 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11707 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11708 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11709 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11710 classes.
11711 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11712
11713 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11714 @item catch throw
11715 @itemx catch catch
11716 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11717 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11718
11719 @cindex inheritance
11720 @item ptype @var{typename}
11721 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11722 @var{typename}.
11723 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11724
11725 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11726 @item set print demangle
11727 @itemx show print demangle
11728 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11729 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11730 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11731 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11732 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11733
11734 @item set print object
11735 @itemx show print object
11736 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11737 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11738
11739 @item set print vtbl
11740 @itemx show print vtbl
11741 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11742 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11743 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11744 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11745
11746 @kindex set overload-resolution
11747 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11748 @item set overload-resolution on
11749 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11750 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11751 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11752 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11753 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11754 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11755
11756 @item set overload-resolution off
11757 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11758 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11759 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11760 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11761 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11762 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11763 argument types.
11764
11765 @kindex show overload-resolution
11766 @item show overload-resolution
11767 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11768
11769 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11770 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11771 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11772 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11773 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11774 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11775 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11776 @end table
11777
11778 @node Decimal Floating Point
11779 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11780 @cindex decimal floating point format
11781
11782 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11783 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11784 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11785 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11786
11787 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11788 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11789 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11790 target.
11791
11792 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11793 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11794 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11795
11796 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11797 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11798 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11799
11800 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11801 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11802 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11803
11804 @node D
11805 @subsection D
11806
11807 @cindex D
11808 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
11809 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
11810 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
11811
11812 @node Objective-C
11813 @subsection Objective-C
11814
11815 @cindex Objective-C
11816 This section provides information about some commands and command
11817 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11818 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11819 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11820
11821 @menu
11822 * Method Names in Commands::
11823 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
11824 @end menu
11825
11826 @node Method Names in Commands
11827 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11828
11829 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11830 names as line specifications:
11831
11832 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11833 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11834 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11835 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11836 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11837 @itemize
11838 @item @code{clear}
11839 @item @code{break}
11840 @item @code{info line}
11841 @item @code{jump}
11842 @item @code{list}
11843 @end itemize
11844
11845 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11846
11847 @smallexample
11848 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11849 @end smallexample
11850
11851 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11852 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11853 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11854 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11855 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11856 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11857 debugged, enter:
11858
11859 @smallexample
11860 break -[Fruit create]
11861 @end smallexample
11862
11863 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11864 enter:
11865
11866 @smallexample
11867 list +[NSText initialize]
11868 @end smallexample
11869
11870 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11871 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11872 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11873 is also possible to specify just a method name:
11874
11875 @smallexample
11876 break create
11877 @end smallexample
11878
11879 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11880 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11881 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11882 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11883 none apply.
11884
11885 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11886 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11887
11888 @smallexample
11889 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11890 @end smallexample
11891
11892 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
11893 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11894 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
11895 @kindex print-object
11896 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11897
11898 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11899
11900 @smallexample
11901 print -[@var{object} hash]
11902 @end smallexample
11903
11904 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
11905 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11906 @noindent
11907 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11908 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11909 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11910 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11911 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11912 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11913
11914 @node Fortran
11915 @subsection Fortran
11916 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11917
11918 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11919 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11920
11921 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11922 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11923 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11924 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11925 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11926 underscore.
11927
11928 @menu
11929 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11930 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11931 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11932 @end menu
11933
11934 @node Fortran Operators
11935 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11936
11937 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11938
11939 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11940 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11941 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11942
11943 @table @code
11944 @item **
11945 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11946 of the second one.
11947
11948 @item :
11949 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11950 represent a section of array.
11951
11952 @item %
11953 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11954 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11955 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11956 union type.
11957 @end table
11958
11959 @node Fortran Defaults
11960 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11961
11962 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11963
11964 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11965 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11966 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11967 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11968
11969 @node Special Fortran Commands
11970 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11971
11972 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11973
11974 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11975 such as displaying common blocks.
11976
11977 @table @code
11978 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11979 @kindex info common
11980 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11981 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11982 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11983 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11984 printed.
11985 @end table
11986
11987 @node Pascal
11988 @subsection Pascal
11989
11990 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11991 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11992 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11993 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11994 syntax.
11995
11996 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11997 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11998 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11999
12000 @node Modula-2
12001 @subsection Modula-2
12002
12003 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12004
12005 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12006 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12007 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12008 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12009 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12010 table.
12011
12012 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12013 @menu
12014 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12015 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12016 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12017 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12018 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12019 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12020 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12021 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12022 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12023 @end menu
12024
12025 @node M2 Operators
12026 @subsubsection Operators
12027 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12028
12029 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12030 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12031 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12032 following definitions hold:
12033
12034 @itemize @bullet
12035
12036 @item
12037 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12038 their subranges.
12039
12040 @item
12041 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12042
12043 @item
12044 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12045
12046 @item
12047 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12048 @var{type}}.
12049
12050 @item
12051 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12052
12053 @item
12054 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12055
12056 @item
12057 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12058 @end itemize
12059
12060 @noindent
12061 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12062 increasing precedence:
12063
12064 @table @code
12065 @item ,
12066 Function argument or array index separator.
12067
12068 @item :=
12069 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12070 @var{value}.
12071
12072 @item <@r{, }>
12073 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12074 types.
12075
12076 @item <=@r{, }>=
12077 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12078 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12079 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12080
12081 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12082 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12083 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12084 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12085 comment character.
12086
12087 @item IN
12088 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12089 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12090
12091 @item OR
12092 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12093
12094 @item AND@r{, }&
12095 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12096
12097 @item @@
12098 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12099
12100 @item +@r{, }-
12101 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12102 and difference on set types.
12103
12104 @item *
12105 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12106 on set types.
12107
12108 @item /
12109 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12110 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12111
12112 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12113 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12114 precedence as @code{*}.
12115
12116 @item -
12117 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12118
12119 @item ^
12120 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12121
12122 @item NOT
12123 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12124 @code{^}.
12125
12126 @item .
12127 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12128 precedence as @code{^}.
12129
12130 @item []
12131 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12132
12133 @item ()
12134 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12135 as @code{^}.
12136
12137 @item ::@r{, }.
12138 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12139 @end table
12140
12141 @quotation
12142 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12143 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12144 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12145 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12146 @end quotation
12147
12148
12149 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12150 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12151 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12152
12153 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12154 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12155
12156 @table @var
12157
12158 @item a
12159 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12160
12161 @item c
12162 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12163
12164 @item i
12165 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12166
12167 @item m
12168 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12169 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12170 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12171
12172 @item n
12173 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12174
12175 @item r
12176 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12177
12178 @item t
12179 represents a type.
12180
12181 @item v
12182 represents a variable.
12183
12184 @item x
12185 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12186 explanation of the function for details.
12187 @end table
12188
12189 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12190
12191 @table @code
12192 @item ABS(@var{n})
12193 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12194
12195 @item CAP(@var{c})
12196 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12197 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12198
12199 @item CHR(@var{i})
12200 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12201
12202 @item DEC(@var{v})
12203 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12204
12205 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12206 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12207 new value.
12208
12209 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12210 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12211 set.
12212
12213 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12214 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12215
12216 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12217 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12218
12219 @item INC(@var{v})
12220 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12221
12222 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12223 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12224 new value.
12225
12226 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12227 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12228 there. Returns the new set.
12229
12230 @item MAX(@var{t})
12231 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12232
12233 @item MIN(@var{t})
12234 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12235
12236 @item ODD(@var{i})
12237 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12238
12239 @item ORD(@var{x})
12240 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12241 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12242 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12243 integral, character and enumerated types.
12244
12245 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12246 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12247
12248 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12249 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12250
12251 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12252 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12253
12254 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12255 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12256 @end table
12257
12258 @quotation
12259 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12260 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12261 an error.
12262 @end quotation
12263
12264 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12265 @node M2 Constants
12266 @subsubsection Constants
12267
12268 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12269 ways:
12270
12271 @itemize @bullet
12272
12273 @item
12274 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12275 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12276 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12277 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12278
12279 @item
12280 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12281 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12282 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12283 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12284 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12285 digits.
12286
12287 @item
12288 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12289 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12290 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12291 followed by a @samp{C}.
12292
12293 @item
12294 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12295 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12296 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12297 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12298 sequences.
12299
12300 @item
12301 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12302
12303 @item
12304 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12305 @code{FALSE}.
12306
12307 @item
12308 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12309
12310 @item
12311 Set constants are not yet supported.
12312 @end itemize
12313
12314 @node M2 Types
12315 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12316 @cindex Modula-2 types
12317
12318 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12319 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12320 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12321 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12322 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12323 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12324
12325 The first example contains the following section of code:
12326
12327 @smallexample
12328 VAR
12329 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12330 r: [20..40] ;
12331 @end smallexample
12332
12333 @noindent
12334 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12335 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12336
12337 @smallexample
12338 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12339 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12340 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12341 SET OF CHAR
12342 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12343 21
12344 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12345 [20..40]
12346 @end smallexample
12347
12348 @noindent
12349 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12350
12351 @smallexample
12352 VAR
12353 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12354 @end smallexample
12355
12356 @noindent
12357 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12358
12359 @smallexample
12360 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12361 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12362 @end smallexample
12363
12364 @noindent
12365 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12366 expressions using the debugger.
12367
12368 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12369 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12370
12371 @smallexample
12372 VAR
12373 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12374 @end smallexample
12375
12376 @smallexample
12377 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12378 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12379 @end smallexample
12380
12381 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12382 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12383 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12384 above.
12385
12386 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12387
12388 @smallexample
12389 TYPE
12390 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12391 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12392 VAR
12393 s: t ;
12394 BEGIN
12395 s := blue ;
12396 @end smallexample
12397
12398 @noindent
12399 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12400 and value of a variable.
12401
12402 @smallexample
12403 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12404 $1 = blue
12405 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12406 type = [blue..yellow]
12407 @end smallexample
12408
12409 @noindent
12410 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12411 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12412 their @code{C} counterparts.
12413
12414 @smallexample
12415 VAR
12416 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12417 BEGIN
12418 s[1] := 1 ;
12419 @end smallexample
12420
12421 @smallexample
12422 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12423 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12424 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12425 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12426 @end smallexample
12427
12428 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12429 pointer types as shown in this example:
12430
12431 @smallexample
12432 VAR
12433 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12434 BEGIN
12435 NEW(s) ;
12436 s^[1] := 1 ;
12437 @end smallexample
12438
12439 @noindent
12440 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12441
12442 @smallexample
12443 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12444 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12445 @end smallexample
12446
12447 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12448 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12449 types:
12450
12451 @smallexample
12452 TYPE
12453 foo = RECORD
12454 f1: CARDINAL ;
12455 f2: CHAR ;
12456 f3: myarray ;
12457 END ;
12458
12459 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12460 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12461 VAR
12462 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12463 @end smallexample
12464
12465 @noindent
12466 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12467 below.
12468
12469 @smallexample
12470 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12471 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12472 f1 : CARDINAL;
12473 f2 : CHAR;
12474 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12475 END
12476 @end smallexample
12477
12478 @node M2 Defaults
12479 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12480 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12481
12482 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12483 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12484 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12485 selected the working language.
12486
12487 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12488 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12489 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12490 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12491
12492 @node Deviations
12493 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12494 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12495
12496 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12497 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12498
12499 @itemize @bullet
12500 @item
12501 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12502 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12503 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12504 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12505 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12506 returned a pointer.)
12507
12508 @item
12509 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12510 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12511 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12512 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12513
12514 @item
12515 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12516 argument.
12517
12518 @item
12519 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12520 @end itemize
12521
12522 @node M2 Checks
12523 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12524 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12525
12526 @quotation
12527 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12528 range checking.
12529 @end quotation
12530 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12531
12532 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12533
12534 @itemize @bullet
12535 @item
12536 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12537 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12538
12539 @item
12540 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12541 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12542 @end itemize
12543
12544 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12545 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12546
12547 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12548 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12549
12550 @node M2 Scope
12551 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12552 @cindex scope
12553 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12554 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12555 @ifinfo
12556 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12557 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12558 @end ifinfo
12559 @ifnotinfo
12560 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12561 @end ifnotinfo
12562
12563 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12564 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12565 similar syntax:
12566
12567 @smallexample
12568
12569 @var{module} . @var{id}
12570 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12571 @end smallexample
12572
12573 @noindent
12574 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12575 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12576 identifier within your program, except another module.
12577
12578 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12579 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12580 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12581 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12582
12583 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12584 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12585 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12586 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12587 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12588 @var{module}.
12589
12590 @node GDB/M2
12591 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12592
12593 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12594 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12595 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12596 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12597 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12598 analogue in Modula-2.
12599
12600 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12601 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12602 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12603 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12604 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12605 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12606
12607 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12608 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12609 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12610
12611 @node Ada
12612 @subsection Ada
12613 @cindex Ada
12614
12615 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12616 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12617 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12618 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12619 to be difficult.
12620
12621
12622 @cindex expressions in Ada
12623 @menu
12624 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12625 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12626 in @value{GDBN}.
12627 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12628 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12629 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12630 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12631 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12632 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12633 @end menu
12634
12635 @node Ada Mode Intro
12636 @subsubsection Introduction
12637 @cindex Ada mode, general
12638
12639 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12640 syntax, with some extensions.
12641 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12642
12643 @itemize @bullet
12644 @item
12645 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12646 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12647 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12648 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12649
12650 @item
12651 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12652 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12653
12654 @item
12655 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12656 @end itemize
12657
12658 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12659 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12660 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12661 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12662 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12663
12664 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12665 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12666 was translated from an Ada source file.
12667
12668 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12669 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12670 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12671 middle (to allow based literals).
12672
12673 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12674 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12675 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12676 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12677 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12678 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12679
12680 @node Omissions from Ada
12681 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12682 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12683
12684 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12685
12686 @itemize @bullet
12687 @item
12688 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12689
12690 @itemize @minus
12691 @item
12692 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12693 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12694
12695 @item
12696 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12697
12698 @item
12699 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12700
12701 @item
12702 @t{'Tag}.
12703
12704 @item
12705 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12706 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12707
12708 @item
12709 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12710 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12711
12712 @item
12713 @t{'Address}.
12714 @end itemize
12715
12716 @item
12717 The names in
12718 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12719 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12720 not currently available.
12721
12722 @item
12723 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12724 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12725 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12726 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12727 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12728 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12729 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12730 indeterminate values.
12731
12732 @item
12733 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12734 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12735 are not implemented.
12736
12737 @item
12738 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12739 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12740 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12741 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12742 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12743
12744 @smallexample
12745 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12746 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12747 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12748 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12749 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12750 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12751 @end smallexample
12752
12753 Changing a
12754 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12755 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12756 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12757 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12758 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12759 declared to have a type such as:
12760
12761 @smallexample
12762 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12763 Id : Integer;
12764 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12765 end record;
12766 @end smallexample
12767
12768 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12769 assignments:
12770
12771 @smallexample
12772 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12773 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12774 @end smallexample
12775
12776 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12777 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12778 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12779 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12780 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12781 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12782 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12783 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12784
12785 @item
12786 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12787
12788 @item
12789 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12790 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12791 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12792 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12793 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12794 the proper resolution.
12795
12796 @item
12797 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12798
12799 @item
12800 Entry calls are not implemented.
12801
12802 @item
12803 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12804 formats are not supported.
12805
12806 @item
12807 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12808
12809 @item
12810 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12811 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12812 context.
12813 Should your program
12814 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12815 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12816 @end itemize
12817
12818 @node Additions to Ada
12819 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
12820 @cindex Ada, deviations from
12821
12822 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12823 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12824
12825 @itemize @bullet
12826 @item
12827 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12828 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12829 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12830 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12831 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12832 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12833 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12834 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12835
12836 @item
12837 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12838 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12839 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12840
12841 @item
12842 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12843 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12844
12845 @item
12846 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12847 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12848 @end itemize
12849
12850 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12851 additions specific to Ada:
12852
12853 @itemize @bullet
12854 @item
12855 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12856 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12857
12858 @smallexample
12859 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12860 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12861 @end smallexample
12862
12863 @item
12864 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12865 the value of its right-hand operand.
12866 This allows, for example,
12867 complex conditional breaks:
12868
12869 @smallexample
12870 (@value{GDBP}) break f
12871 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12872 @end smallexample
12873
12874 @item
12875 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12876 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12877 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12878 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12879 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12880 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12881 in strings. For example,
12882 @smallexample
12883 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12884 @end smallexample
12885 @noindent
12886 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12887 after each period.
12888
12889 @item
12890 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12891 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12892 to write
12893
12894 @smallexample
12895 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12896 @end smallexample
12897
12898 @item
12899 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12900 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12901 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12902 of 3 might print as
12903
12904 @smallexample
12905 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
12906 @end smallexample
12907
12908 @noindent
12909 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12910 clause.
12911
12912 @item
12913 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12914 multi-character subsequence of
12915 their names (an exact match gets preference).
12916 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12917 in place of @t{a'length}.
12918
12919 @item
12920 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12921 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12922 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12923 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12924 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12925 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12926 For example,
12927 @smallexample
12928 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12929 @end smallexample
12930
12931 @item
12932 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12933 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12934 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12935 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12936 object.
12937
12938 @end itemize
12939
12940 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12941 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12942
12943 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12944 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12945 before reaching the main procedure.
12946 As defined in the Ada Reference
12947 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12948 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12949 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12950 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12951
12952 @node Ada Tasks
12953 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12954 @cindex Ada, tasking
12955
12956 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12957 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12958
12959 @table @code
12960 @kindex info tasks
12961 @item info tasks
12962 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12963
12964
12965 @smallexample
12966 @iftex
12967 @leftskip=0.5cm
12968 @end iftex
12969 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12970 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12971 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12972 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12973 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12974 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12975
12976 @end smallexample
12977
12978 @noindent
12979 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12980 task currently being inspected.
12981
12982 @table @asis
12983 @item ID
12984 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12985
12986 @item TID
12987 The Ada task ID.
12988
12989 @item P-ID
12990 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12991
12992 @item Pri
12993 The base priority of the task.
12994
12995 @item State
12996 Current state of the task.
12997
12998 @table @code
12999 @item Unactivated
13000 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13001 executing.
13002
13003 @item Runnable
13004 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13005 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13006
13007 @item Terminated
13008 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13009 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13010 terminated themselves.
13011
13012 @item Child Activation Wait
13013 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13014
13015 @item Accept Statement
13016 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13017
13018 @item Waiting on entry call
13019 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13020
13021 @item Async Select Wait
13022 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13023 select statement.
13024
13025 @item Delay Sleep
13026 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13027 alternative open.
13028
13029 @item Child Termination Wait
13030 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13031 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13032 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13033
13034 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13035 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13036 finish terminating.
13037
13038 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13039 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13040 @end table
13041
13042 @item Name
13043 Name of the task in the program.
13044
13045 @end table
13046
13047 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13048 @item info task @var{taskno}
13049 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13050 the following example:
13051 @smallexample
13052 @iftex
13053 @leftskip=0.5cm
13054 @end iftex
13055 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13056 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13057 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13058 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13059 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13060 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13061 Name: task_1
13062 Thread: 0x807f378
13063 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13064 Base Priority: 15
13065 State: Runnable
13066 @end smallexample
13067
13068 @item task
13069 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13070 @cindex current Ada task ID
13071 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13072
13073 @smallexample
13074 @iftex
13075 @leftskip=0.5cm
13076 @end iftex
13077 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13078 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13079 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13080 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13081 (@value{GDBP}) task
13082 [Current task is 2]
13083 @end smallexample
13084
13085 @item task @var{taskno}
13086 @cindex Ada task switching
13087 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13088 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13089 from the current task to the given task.
13090
13091 @smallexample
13092 @iftex
13093 @leftskip=0.5cm
13094 @end iftex
13095 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13096 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13097 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13098 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13099 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13100 [Switching to task 1]
13101 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13102 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13103 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13104 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13105 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13106 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13107 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13108 @end smallexample
13109
13110 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13111 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13112 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13113 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13114 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13115 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13116 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13117 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13118 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13119
13120 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13121 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13122 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13123 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13124 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13125
13126 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13127 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13128 program.
13129
13130 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13131 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13132 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13133
13134 For example,
13135
13136 @smallexample
13137 @iftex
13138 @leftskip=0.5cm
13139 @end iftex
13140 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13141 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13142 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13143 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13144 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13145 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13146 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13147 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13148 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13149 Continuing.
13150 task # 1 running
13151 task # 2 running
13152
13153 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13154 15 flush;
13155 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13156 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13157 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13158 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13159 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13160 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13161 @end smallexample
13162 @end table
13163
13164 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13165 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13166 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13167
13168 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13169 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13170 the platform being used.
13171 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13172 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13173 as usual.
13174
13175 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13176 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13177 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13178 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13179 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13180 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13181
13182 @node Ada Glitches
13183 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13184 @cindex Ada, problems
13185
13186 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13187 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13188 @value{GDBN},
13189 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13190 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13191
13192 @itemize @bullet
13193 @item
13194 Currently, the debugger
13195 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
13196 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
13197 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
13198 to get it printed properly.
13199
13200 @item
13201 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13202 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13203
13204 @item
13205 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13206 argument lists are treated as positional).
13207
13208 @item
13209 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13210
13211 @item
13212 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13213 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13214 the host machine.
13215
13216 @item
13217 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13218 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13219 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13220 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13221 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13222 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13223 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13224 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13225 you can usually resolve the confusion
13226 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13227 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13228 @end itemize
13229
13230 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13231 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13232 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13233 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13234 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13235 enabled.
13236
13237 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13238 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13239 @table @code
13240
13241 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13242 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13243 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13244 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13245 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13246 This is the default.
13247
13248 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13249 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13250 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13251 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13252 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13253 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13254 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13255
13256 @end table
13257
13258 @node Unsupported Languages
13259 @section Unsupported Languages
13260
13261 @cindex unsupported languages
13262 @cindex minimal language
13263 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13264 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13265 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13266 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13267 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13268 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13269
13270 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13271 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13272 language.
13273
13274 @node Symbols
13275 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13276
13277 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13278 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13279 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13280 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13281 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13282 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13283 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13284
13285 @cindex symbol names
13286 @cindex names of symbols
13287 @cindex quoting names
13288 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13289 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13290 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13291 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13292 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13293 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13294 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13295 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13296
13297 @smallexample
13298 p 'foo.c'::x
13299 @end smallexample
13300
13301 @noindent
13302 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13303
13304 @table @code
13305 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13306 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13307 @kindex set case-sensitive
13308 @item set case-sensitive on
13309 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13310 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13311 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13312 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13313 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13314 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13315 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13316 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13317 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13318 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13319 case-insensitive matches.
13320
13321 @kindex show case-sensitive
13322 @item show case-sensitive
13323 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13324 lookups.
13325
13326 @kindex info address
13327 @cindex address of a symbol
13328 @item info address @var{symbol}
13329 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13330 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13331 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13332 is always stored.
13333
13334 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13335 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13336 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13337
13338 @kindex info symbol
13339 @cindex symbol from address
13340 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13341 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13342 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13343 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13344 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13345
13346 @smallexample
13347 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13348 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13349 @end smallexample
13350
13351 @noindent
13352 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13353 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13354
13355 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13356 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13357
13358 @smallexample
13359 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13360 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13361 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13362 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13363 @end smallexample
13364
13365 @kindex whatis
13366 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13367 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13368 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13369 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13370 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13371 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13372 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13373 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13374 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13375 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13376 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13377
13378 @kindex ptype
13379 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13380 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13381 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13382 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13383
13384 For example, for this variable declaration:
13385
13386 @smallexample
13387 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13388 @end smallexample
13389
13390 @noindent
13391 the two commands give this output:
13392
13393 @smallexample
13394 @group
13395 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13396 type = struct complex
13397 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13398 type = struct complex @{
13399 double real;
13400 double imag;
13401 @}
13402 @end group
13403 @end smallexample
13404
13405 @noindent
13406 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13407 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13408
13409 @cindex incomplete type
13410 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13411 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13412 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13413 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13414 given these declarations:
13415
13416 @smallexample
13417 struct foo;
13418 struct foo *fooptr;
13419 @end smallexample
13420
13421 @noindent
13422 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13423
13424 @smallexample
13425 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13426 $1 = <incomplete type>
13427 @end smallexample
13428
13429 @noindent
13430 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13431 completely specified.
13432
13433 @kindex info types
13434 @item info types @var{regexp}
13435 @itemx info types
13436 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13437 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13438 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13439 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13440 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13441 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13442 name is @code{value}.
13443
13444 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13445 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13446 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13447
13448 @kindex info scope
13449 @cindex local variables
13450 @item info scope @var{location}
13451 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13452 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13453 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13454 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13455 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13456
13457 @smallexample
13458 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13459 Scope for command_line_handler:
13460 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13461 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13462 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13463 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13464 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13465 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13466 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13467 @end smallexample
13468
13469 @noindent
13470 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13471 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13472 collect}.
13473
13474 @kindex info source
13475 @item info source
13476 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13477 the function containing the current point of execution:
13478 @itemize @bullet
13479 @item
13480 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13481 @item
13482 the directory it was compiled in,
13483 @item
13484 its length, in lines,
13485 @item
13486 which programming language it is written in,
13487 @item
13488 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13489 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13490 @item
13491 whether the debugging information includes information about
13492 preprocessor macros.
13493 @end itemize
13494
13495
13496 @kindex info sources
13497 @item info sources
13498 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13499 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13500 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13501
13502 @kindex info functions
13503 @item info functions
13504 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13505
13506 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13507 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13508 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13509 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13510 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13511 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13512 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13513 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13514
13515 @kindex info variables
13516 @item info variables
13517 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13518 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13519
13520 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13521 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13522 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13523 @var{regexp}.
13524
13525 @kindex info classes
13526 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13527 @item info classes
13528 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13529 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13530 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13531 expression.
13532
13533 @kindex info selectors
13534 @item info selectors
13535 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13536 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13537 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13538 expression.
13539
13540 @ignore
13541 This was never implemented.
13542 @kindex info methods
13543 @item info methods
13544 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13545 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13546 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13547 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13548 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13549 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13550 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13551 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13552 @end ignore
13553
13554 @cindex reloading symbols
13555 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13556 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13557 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13558 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13559 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13560
13561 @table @code
13562 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13563 @item set symbol-reloading on
13564 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13565 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13566
13567 @item set symbol-reloading off
13568 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13569 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13570 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13571 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13572 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13573 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13574 name.
13575
13576 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13577 @item show symbol-reloading
13578 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13579 @end table
13580
13581 @cindex opaque data types
13582 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13583 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13584 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13585 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13586 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13587 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13588 another source file. The default is on.
13589
13590 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13591 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13592
13593 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13594 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13595 is printed as follows:
13596 @smallexample
13597 @{<no data fields>@}
13598 @end smallexample
13599
13600 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13601 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13602 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13603
13604 @kindex maint print symbols
13605 @cindex symbol dump
13606 @kindex maint print psymbols
13607 @cindex partial symbol dump
13608 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13609 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13610 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13611 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13612 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13613 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13614 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13615 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13616 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13617 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13618 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13619 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13620 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13621 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13622 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13623 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13624 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13625
13626 @kindex maint info symtabs
13627 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13628 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13629 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13630 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13631 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13632 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13633 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13634
13635 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13636 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13637 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13638 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13639 structure in more detail. For example:
13640
13641 @smallexample
13642 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13643 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13644 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13645 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13646 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13647 readin no
13648 fullname (null)
13649 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13650 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13651 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13652 dependencies (none)
13653 @}
13654 @}
13655 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13656 (@value{GDBP})
13657 @end smallexample
13658 @noindent
13659 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13660 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13661 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13662 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13663 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13664
13665 @smallexample
13666 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13667 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13668 line 1574.
13669 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13670 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13671 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13672 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13673 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13674 dirname (null)
13675 fullname (null)
13676 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13677 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13678 debugformat DWARF 2
13679 @}
13680 @}
13681 (@value{GDBP})
13682 @end smallexample
13683 @end table
13684
13685
13686 @node Altering
13687 @chapter Altering Execution
13688
13689 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13690 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13691 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13692 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13693 program.
13694
13695 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13696 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13697 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13698
13699 @menu
13700 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13701 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13702 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13703 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13704 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13705 * Patching:: Patching your program
13706 @end menu
13707
13708 @node Assignment
13709 @section Assignment to Variables
13710
13711 @cindex assignment
13712 @cindex setting variables
13713 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13714 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13715
13716 @smallexample
13717 print x=4
13718 @end smallexample
13719
13720 @noindent
13721 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13722 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13723 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13724 information on operators in supported languages.
13725
13726 @kindex set variable
13727 @cindex variables, setting
13728 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13729 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13730 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13731 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13732 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13733
13734 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13735 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13736 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13737 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13738 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13739 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13740 command @code{set width}:
13741
13742 @smallexample
13743 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13744 type = double
13745 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13746 $4 = 13
13747 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13748 Invalid syntax in expression.
13749 @end smallexample
13750
13751 @noindent
13752 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13753 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13754
13755 @smallexample
13756 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13757 @end smallexample
13758
13759 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13760 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13761 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13762 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13763 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13764 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13765
13766 @smallexample
13767 @group
13768 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13769 type = double
13770 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13771 $1 = 1
13772 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13773 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13774 $2 = 1
13775 (@value{GDBP}) r
13776 The program being debugged has been started already.
13777 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13778 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13779 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13780 Invalid bfd target.
13781 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13782 The current BFD target is "=4".
13783 @end group
13784 @end smallexample
13785
13786 @noindent
13787 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13788 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13789 @code{g}, use
13790
13791 @smallexample
13792 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13793 @end smallexample
13794
13795 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13796 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13797 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13798 same length or shorter.
13799 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13800 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13801
13802 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13803 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13804 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13805 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13806 and representation in memory), and
13807
13808 @smallexample
13809 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13810 @end smallexample
13811
13812 @noindent
13813 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13814
13815 @node Jumping
13816 @section Continuing at a Different Address
13817
13818 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13819 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13820 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13821
13822 @table @code
13823 @kindex jump
13824 @item jump @var{linespec}
13825 @itemx jump @var{location}
13826 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13827 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13828 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13829 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13830 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13831 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13832
13833 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13834 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13835 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13836 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13837 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13838 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13839 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13840 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13841 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13842 @end table
13843
13844 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13845 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13846 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13847 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13848 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13849 example,
13850
13851 @smallexample
13852 set $pc = 0x485
13853 @end smallexample
13854
13855 @noindent
13856 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13857 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13858 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13859
13860 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13861 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13862 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13863 detail.
13864
13865 @c @group
13866 @node Signaling
13867 @section Giving your Program a Signal
13868 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
13869
13870 @table @code
13871 @kindex signal
13872 @item signal @var{signal}
13873 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13874 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13875 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13876 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13877
13878 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13879 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13880 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13881 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13882 signal.
13883
13884 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13885 after executing the command.
13886 @end table
13887 @c @end group
13888
13889 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13890 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13891 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13892 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13893 passes the signal directly to your program.
13894
13895
13896 @node Returning
13897 @section Returning from a Function
13898
13899 @table @code
13900 @cindex returning from a function
13901 @kindex return
13902 @item return
13903 @itemx return @var{expression}
13904 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13905 command. If you give an
13906 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13907 value.
13908 @end table
13909
13910 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13911 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13912 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13913 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13914
13915 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13916 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13917 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13918 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13919 of functions.
13920
13921 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13922 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13923 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13924 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13925 selected stack frame returns naturally.
13926
13927 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13928 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13929 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13930 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13931 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13932 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13933 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13934 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13935 assignment into the right register(s).
13936
13937 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13938 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13939 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13940 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13941 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13942 into a @code{long long int}:
13943
13944 @smallexample
13945 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
13946 29 return 31;
13947 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13948 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13949 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13950 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13951 (@value{GDBP})
13952 @end smallexample
13953
13954 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13955 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13956 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13957 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13958 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13959 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13960 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13961 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13962
13963 @smallexample
13964 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13965 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13966 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13967 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13968 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13969 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13970 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13971 (@value{GDBP})
13972 @end smallexample
13973
13974 @node Calling
13975 @section Calling Program Functions
13976
13977 @table @code
13978 @cindex calling functions
13979 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13980 @item print @var{expr}
13981 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13982 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13983 debugged.
13984
13985 @kindex call
13986 @item call @var{expr}
13987 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13988 returned values.
13989
13990 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13991 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13992 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13993 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13994 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13995 value history.
13996 @end table
13997
13998 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13999 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14000 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14001 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14002
14003 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14004 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14005 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14006 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14007 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14008 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14009 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14010 in that case is controlled by the
14011 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14012
14013 @table @code
14014 @item set unwindonsignal
14015 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14016 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14017 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14018 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14019 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14020 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14021 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14022 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14023 received.
14024
14025 @item show unwindonsignal
14026 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14027 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14028 @value{GDBN}.
14029
14030 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14031 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14032 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14033 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14034 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14035 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14036 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14037 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14038 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14039 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14040
14041 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14042 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14043 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14044 @value{GDBN}.
14045
14046 @end table
14047
14048 @cindex weak alias functions
14049 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14050 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14051 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14052 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14053 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14054 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14055 function instead.
14056
14057 @node Patching
14058 @section Patching Programs
14059
14060 @cindex patching binaries
14061 @cindex writing into executables
14062 @cindex writing into corefiles
14063
14064 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14065 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14066 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14067 patching your program's binary.
14068
14069 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14070 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14071 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14072 repairs.
14073
14074 @table @code
14075 @kindex set write
14076 @item set write on
14077 @itemx set write off
14078 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14079 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14080 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14081
14082 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14083 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14084 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14085
14086 @item show write
14087 @kindex show write
14088 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14089 as well as reading.
14090 @end table
14091
14092 @node GDB Files
14093 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14094
14095 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14096 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14097 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14098 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14099
14100 @menu
14101 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14102 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14103 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14104 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14105 @end menu
14106
14107 @node Files
14108 @section Commands to Specify Files
14109
14110 @cindex symbol table
14111 @cindex core dump file
14112
14113 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14114 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14115 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14116 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14117
14118 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14119 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14120 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14121 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14122 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14123 new files are useful.
14124
14125 @table @code
14126 @cindex executable file
14127 @kindex file
14128 @item file @var{filename}
14129 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14130 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14131 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14132 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14133 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14134 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14135 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14136 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14137
14138 @cindex unlinked object files
14139 @cindex patching object files
14140 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14141 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14142 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14143 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14144 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14145 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14146 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14147 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14148
14149 @item file
14150 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14151 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14152
14153 @kindex exec-file
14154 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14155 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14156 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14157 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14158 discard information on the executable file.
14159
14160 @kindex symbol-file
14161 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14162 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14163 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14164 table and program to run from the same file.
14165
14166 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14167 program's symbol table.
14168
14169 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14170 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14171 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14172 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14173 @value{GDBN}.
14174
14175 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14176 executing it once.
14177
14178 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14179 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14180 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14181 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14182 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14183 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14184 optimized code.
14185
14186 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14187 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14188 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14189 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14190 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14191
14192 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14193 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14194 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14195 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14196 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14197 Warnings and Messages}.)
14198
14199 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14200 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14201 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14202 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14203 in stabs format.
14204
14205 @kindex readnow
14206 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14207 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14208 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14209 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14210 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14211 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14212 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14213 entire symbol table available.
14214
14215 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14216 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14217 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14218 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14219 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14220 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14221 @c files.
14222
14223 @kindex core-file
14224 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14225 @itemx core
14226 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14227 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14228 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14229 executable file itself for other parts.
14230
14231 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14232 to be used.
14233
14234 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14235 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14236 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14237 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14238 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14239
14240 @kindex add-symbol-file
14241 @cindex dynamic linking
14242 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14243 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14244 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14245 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14246 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14247 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14248 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14249 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14250 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14251 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14252 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14253 @var{address} as an expression.
14254
14255 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14256 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14257 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14258 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14259 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14260
14261 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14262 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14263 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14264 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14265 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14266 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14267 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14268 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14269 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14270
14271 @itemize @bullet
14272 @item
14273 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14274 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14275 @item
14276 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14277 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14278 @item
14279 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14280 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14281 @end itemize
14282
14283 @noindent
14284 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14285 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14286 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14287 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14288 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14289 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14290 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14291 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14292 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14293 way.
14294
14295 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14296
14297 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14298 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14299 @cindex load symbols from memory
14300 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14301 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14302 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14303 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14304 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14305 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14306 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14307 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14308 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14309
14310 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14311 @kindex assf
14312 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14313 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14314 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14315 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14316 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14317 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14318 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14319 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14320 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14321 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14322
14323 @kindex section
14324 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14325 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14326 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14327 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14328 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14329 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14330 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14331 their addresses.
14332
14333 @kindex info files
14334 @kindex info target
14335 @item info files
14336 @itemx info target
14337 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14338 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14339 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14340 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14341 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14342 current ones.
14343
14344 @kindex maint info sections
14345 @item maint info sections
14346 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14347 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14348 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14349 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14350 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14351 may be arbitrarily combined):
14352
14353 @table @code
14354 @item ALLOBJ
14355 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14356 @item @var{sections}
14357 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14358 @item @var{section-flags}
14359 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14360 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14361 @table @code
14362 @item ALLOC
14363 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14364 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14365 @item LOAD
14366 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14367 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14368 @item RELOC
14369 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14370 @item READONLY
14371 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14372 @item CODE
14373 Section contains executable code only.
14374 @item DATA
14375 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14376 @item ROM
14377 Section will reside in ROM.
14378 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14379 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14380 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14381 Section is not empty.
14382 @item NEVER_LOAD
14383 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14384 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14385 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14386 COFF shared library information.
14387 @item IS_COMMON
14388 Section contains common symbols.
14389 @end table
14390 @end table
14391 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14392 @cindex read-only sections
14393 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14394 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14395 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14396 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14397 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14398 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14399 enhancement to debugging performance.
14400
14401 The default is off.
14402
14403 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14404 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14405 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14406 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14407
14408 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14409 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14410 @end table
14411
14412 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14413 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14414 name and remembers it that way.
14415
14416 @cindex shared libraries
14417 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14418 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14419 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14420
14421 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14422 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14423
14424 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14425 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14426 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14427 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14428 debugging a core file).
14429
14430 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14431 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14432
14433 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14434 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14435 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14436
14437 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14438 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14439 particularly large or there are many of them.
14440
14441 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14442 commands:
14443
14444 @table @code
14445 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14446 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14447 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14448 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14449 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14450 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14451 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14452 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14453
14454 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14455 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14456 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14457 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14458 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14459 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14460 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14461 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14462 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14463
14464 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14465 @item show auto-solib-add
14466 Display the current autoloading mode.
14467 @end table
14468
14469 @cindex load shared library
14470 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14471 command:
14472
14473 @table @code
14474 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14475 @kindex info share
14476 @item info share @var{regex}
14477 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14478 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14479 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14480 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14481
14482 @kindex sharedlibrary
14483 @kindex share
14484 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14485 @itemx share @var{regex}
14486 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14487 Unix regular expression.
14488 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14489 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14490 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14491 loaded.
14492
14493 @item nosharedlibrary
14494 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14495 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14496 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14497 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14498 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14499 discarded.
14500 @end table
14501
14502 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14503 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14504 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14505
14506 @table @code
14507 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14508 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14509 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14510 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14511 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14512 shared library.
14513
14514 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14515 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14516 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14517 library events happen.
14518 @end table
14519
14520 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14521 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14522 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14523 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14524 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14525 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14526 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14527 not.
14528
14529 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14530 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14531 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14532 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14533 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14534
14535 @table @code
14536 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14537 @cindex system root, alternate
14538 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14539 @kindex set sysroot
14540 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14541 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14542 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14543 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14544 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14545 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14546 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14547 under @var{path}.
14548
14549 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14550 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14551 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14552 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14553 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14554 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14555 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14556 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14557 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14558
14559 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
14560 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
14561 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
14562 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
14563 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
14564
14565 @smallexample
14566 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
14567 @end smallexample
14568
14569 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
14570 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
14571 system:
14572
14573 @smallexample
14574 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
14575 @end smallexample
14576
14577 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
14578 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
14579 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
14580 colons:
14581
14582 @smallexample
14583 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
14584 @end smallexample
14585
14586 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
14587 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
14588 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
14589 @samp{z}):
14590
14591 @smallexample
14592 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
14593 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
14594 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
14595 @end smallexample
14596
14597 @noindent
14598 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
14599 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
14600 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
14601
14602 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
14603 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
14604
14605 @smallexample
14606 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
14607 @end smallexample
14608
14609 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
14610 if you don't want or need to.
14611
14612 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14613 sysroot}.
14614
14615 @cindex default system root
14616 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14617 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14618 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14619 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14620 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14621 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14622 location.
14623
14624 @kindex show sysroot
14625 @item show sysroot
14626 Display the current shared library prefix.
14627
14628 @kindex set solib-search-path
14629 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14630 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14631 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14632 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14633 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14634 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14635 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14636 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14637 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14638 of shared library symbols.
14639
14640 @kindex show solib-search-path
14641 @item show solib-search-path
14642 Display the current shared library search path.
14643
14644 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
14645 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
14646 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
14647 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
14648 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
14649
14650 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
14651 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
14652 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
14653 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
14654 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
14655 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
14656 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
14657 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
14658 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
14659 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
14660 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
14661 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
14662 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
14663 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
14664 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
14665 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
14666 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
14667 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
14668 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
14669 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
14670 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
14671 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
14672
14673 @table @code
14674 @item unix
14675 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
14676 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
14677 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
14678 the forward slash.
14679
14680 @item dos-based
14681 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
14682 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
14683 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
14684 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
14685 considered directory separators.
14686
14687 @item auto
14688 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
14689 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
14690 This is the default.
14691 @end table
14692 @end table
14693
14694
14695 @node Separate Debug Files
14696 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14697 @cindex separate debugging information files
14698 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14699 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14700 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14701 @cindex global debugging information directory
14702 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14703 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14704
14705 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14706 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14707 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14708 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14709 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14710 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14711 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14712
14713 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14714 file:
14715
14716 @itemize @bullet
14717 @item
14718 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14719 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14720 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14721 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14722 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14723 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14724 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14725 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14726
14727 @item
14728 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14729 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14730 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14731 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14732 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14733 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14734 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14735 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14736 below.
14737 @end itemize
14738
14739 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14740 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14741
14742 @itemize @bullet
14743 @item
14744 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14745 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14746 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14747 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14748 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14749
14750 @item
14751 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14752 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14753 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14754 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14755 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14756 hex characters, not 10.)
14757 @end itemize
14758
14759 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14760 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14761 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14762 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14763 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14764 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14765
14766 @itemize @minus
14767 @item
14768 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14769 @item
14770 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14771 @item
14772 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14773 @item
14774 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14775 @end itemize
14776
14777 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14778 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14779
14780 @table @code
14781
14782 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14783 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14784 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14785 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14786 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14787
14788 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14789 @item show debug-file-directory
14790 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14791 information files.
14792
14793 @end table
14794
14795 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14796 @cindex debug link sections
14797 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14798 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14799
14800 @itemize
14801 @item
14802 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14803 a zero byte,
14804 @item
14805 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14806 boundary within the section, and
14807 @item
14808 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14809 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14810 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14811 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14812 @end itemize
14813
14814 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14815 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14816 described above.
14817
14818 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14819 @cindex build ID sections
14820 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14821 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14822 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14823 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14824 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14825 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14826 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14827 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14828 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14829
14830 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14831 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14832 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14833 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14834 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14835 in an ordinary executable.
14836
14837 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14838 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14839 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14840 following commands:
14841
14842 @smallexample
14843 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14844 @kbd{strip -g foo}
14845 @end smallexample
14846
14847 @noindent
14848 These commands remove the debugging
14849 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14850 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14851 two files:
14852
14853 @itemize @bullet
14854 @item
14855 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14856 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14857
14858 @smallexample
14859 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14860 @end smallexample
14861
14862 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14863 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14864 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14865 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14866
14867 @item
14868 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14869 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14870 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14871 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14872 @end itemize
14873
14874 @noindent
14875
14876 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
14877 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14878 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14879
14880 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14881 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14882 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14883 @c different ways!
14884 @ifhtml
14885 @display
14886 @html
14887 <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>
14888 + <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
14889 @end html
14890 @end display
14891 @end ifhtml
14892 @ifnothtml
14893 @display
14894 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14895 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14896 @end display
14897 @end ifnothtml
14898
14899 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14900 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14901 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14902 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14903 CRC.
14904
14905 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14906 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14907 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14908 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14909 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14910 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14911
14912 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14913 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14914 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14915 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14916 @code{0xffffffff}.
14917
14918 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14919 @smallexample
14920 unsigned long
14921 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14922 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14923 @{
14924 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14925 @{
14926 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14927 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14928 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14929 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14930 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14931 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14932 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14933 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14934 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14935 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14936 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14937 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14938 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14939 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14940 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14941 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14942 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14943 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14944 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14945 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14946 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14947 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14948 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14949 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14950 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14951 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14952 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14953 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14954 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14955 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14956 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14957 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14958 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14959 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14960 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14961 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14962 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14963 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14964 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14965 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14966 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14967 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14968 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14969 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14970 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14971 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14972 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14973 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14974 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14975 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14976 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14977 0x2d02ef8d
14978 @};
14979 unsigned char *end;
14980
14981 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14982 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14983 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14984 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14985 @}
14986 @end smallexample
14987
14988 @noindent
14989 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14990
14991
14992 @node Symbol Errors
14993 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14994
14995 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14996 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14997 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14998 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14999 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15000 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15001 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15002 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15003 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15004 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15005 Messages}).
15006
15007 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15008
15009 @table @code
15010 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15011
15012 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15013 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15014 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15015 in its outer scope blocks.
15016
15017 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15018 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15019 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15020 function.
15021
15022 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15023
15024 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15025 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15026 do so.
15027
15028 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15029 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15030 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15031 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15032 Messages}.)
15033
15034 @item bad block start address patched
15035
15036 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15037 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15038 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15039
15040 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15041 starting on the previous source line.
15042
15043 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15044
15045 @cindex foo
15046 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15047 larger than the size of the string table.
15048
15049 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15050 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15051 with this name.
15052
15053 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15054
15055 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15056 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15057 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15058
15059 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15060 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15061 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15062 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15063 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15064 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15065
15066 @item stub type has NULL name
15067
15068 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15069
15070 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15071 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15072 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15073 it.
15074
15075 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15076
15077 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15078
15079 @end table
15080
15081 @node Data Files
15082 @section GDB Data Files
15083
15084 @cindex prefix for data files
15085 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15086 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15087
15088 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15089 is currently using.
15090
15091 @table @code
15092 @kindex set data-directory
15093 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15094 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15095 to @var{directory}.
15096
15097 @kindex show data-directory
15098 @item show data-directory
15099 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15100 @end table
15101
15102 @cindex default data directory
15103 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15104 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15105 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15106 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15107 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15108 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15109 location.
15110
15111 @node Targets
15112 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15113
15114 @cindex debugging target
15115 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15116
15117 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15118 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15119 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15120 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15121 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15122 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15123 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15124 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15125
15126 @cindex target architecture
15127 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15128 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15129 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15130 command.
15131
15132 @table @code
15133 @kindex set architecture
15134 @kindex show architecture
15135 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15136 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15137 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15138 supported architectures.
15139
15140 @item show architecture
15141 Show the current target architecture.
15142
15143 @item set processor
15144 @itemx processor
15145 @kindex set processor
15146 @kindex show processor
15147 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15148 and @code{show architecture}.
15149 @end table
15150
15151 @menu
15152 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15153 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15154 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15155 @end menu
15156
15157 @node Active Targets
15158 @section Active Targets
15159
15160 @cindex stacking targets
15161 @cindex active targets
15162 @cindex multiple targets
15163
15164 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
15165 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
15166 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
15167 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
15168 a core file.
15169
15170 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
15171 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
15172 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
15173 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
15174 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
15175 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
15176 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
15177 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
15178 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
15179
15180 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
15181 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
15182 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
15183 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
15184 process target is active.
15185
15186 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
15187 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
15188 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
15189 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
15190 Process}).
15191
15192 @node Target Commands
15193 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15194
15195 @table @code
15196 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15197 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15198 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15199 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15200 protocol of the target machine.
15201
15202 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15203 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15204 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15205
15206 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15207 after executing the command.
15208
15209 @kindex help target
15210 @item help target
15211 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15212 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15213 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15214
15215 @item help target @var{name}
15216 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15217 select it.
15218
15219 @kindex set gnutarget
15220 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15221 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15222 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15223 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15224 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15225 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15226
15227 @quotation
15228 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15229 you must know the actual BFD name.
15230 @end quotation
15231
15232 @noindent
15233 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15234
15235 @kindex show gnutarget
15236 @item show gnutarget
15237 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15238 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15239 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15240 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15241 @end table
15242
15243 @cindex common targets
15244 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15245 configuration):
15246
15247 @table @code
15248 @kindex target
15249 @item target exec @var{program}
15250 @cindex executable file target
15251 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15252 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15253
15254 @item target core @var{filename}
15255 @cindex core dump file target
15256 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15257 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15258
15259 @item target remote @var{medium}
15260 @cindex remote target
15261 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15262 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15263 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15264
15265 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15266 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15267
15268 @smallexample
15269 target remote /dev/ttya
15270 @end smallexample
15271
15272 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15273 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15274 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15275 clobbered by the download.
15276
15277 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15278 @cindex built-in simulator target
15279 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15280 In general,
15281 @smallexample
15282 target sim
15283 load
15284 run
15285 @end smallexample
15286 @noindent
15287 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15288 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15289 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15290 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15291 Processors}.
15292
15293 @end table
15294
15295 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15296
15297 @table @code
15298
15299 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15300 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15301 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15302
15303 @end table
15304
15305 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15306 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15307
15308 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15309 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15310 various aspects of this process.
15311
15312 @table @code
15313
15314 @item set hash
15315 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15316 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15317 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15318 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15319 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15320 monitor.
15321
15322 @item show hash
15323 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15324 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15325
15326 @item set debug monitor
15327 @kindex set debug monitor
15328 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15329 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15330 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15331
15332 @item show debug monitor
15333 @kindex show debug monitor
15334 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15335 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15336 @end table
15337
15338 @table @code
15339
15340 @kindex load @var{filename}
15341 @item load @var{filename}
15342 @anchor{load}
15343 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15344 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15345 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15346 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15347 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15348 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15349
15350 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15351 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15352 target is @dots{}}''
15353
15354 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15355 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15356 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15357 specifies a fixed address.
15358 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15359
15360 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15361 load programs into flash memory.
15362
15363 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15364 @end table
15365
15366 @node Byte Order
15367 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15368
15369 @cindex choosing target byte order
15370 @cindex target byte order
15371
15372 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15373 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15374 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15375 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15376 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15377 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15378
15379 @table @code
15380 @kindex set endian
15381 @item set endian big
15382 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15383
15384 @item set endian little
15385 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15386
15387 @item set endian auto
15388 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15389 executable.
15390
15391 @item show endian
15392 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15393
15394 @end table
15395
15396 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15397 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15398 target system.
15399
15400
15401 @node Remote Debugging
15402 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15403 @cindex remote debugging
15404
15405 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15406 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15407 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15408 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15409 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15410
15411 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15412 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15413 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15414 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15415 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15416 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15417
15418 Other remote targets may be available in your
15419 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15420
15421 @menu
15422 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15423 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15424 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15425 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15426 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15427 @end menu
15428
15429 @node Connecting
15430 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15431
15432 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15433 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15434 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15435 program as the first argument.
15436
15437 @cindex @code{target remote}
15438 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15439 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15440 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15441 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15442 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15443 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15444
15445 @table @code
15446
15447 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15448 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15449 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15450 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15451
15452 @smallexample
15453 target remote /dev/ttyb
15454 @end smallexample
15455
15456 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15457 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15458 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15459 @code{target} command.
15460
15461 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15462 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15463 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15464 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15465 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15466 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15467 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15468 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15469 target.
15470
15471 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15472 @code{manyfarms}:
15473
15474 @smallexample
15475 target remote manyfarms:2828
15476 @end smallexample
15477
15478 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15479 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15480 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15481 port 1234 on your local machine:
15482
15483 @smallexample
15484 target remote :1234
15485 @end smallexample
15486 @noindent
15487
15488 Note that the colon is still required here.
15489
15490 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15491 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15492 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15493 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15494
15495 @smallexample
15496 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15497 @end smallexample
15498
15499 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15500 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15501 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15502 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15503
15504 @item target remote | @var{command}
15505 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15506 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15507 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15508 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15509 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15510 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15511 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15512 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15513
15514 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15515 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15516 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15517
15518 @end table
15519
15520 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15521 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15522 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15523 need to use @kbd{run}.
15524
15525 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15526 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15527 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15528 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15529 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15530 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15531 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
15532
15533 @smallexample
15534 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
15535 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
15536 @end smallexample
15537
15538 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
15539 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
15540 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
15541 goes back to waiting.
15542
15543 @table @code
15544 @kindex detach (remote)
15545 @item detach
15546 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
15547 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
15548 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
15549 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
15550 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
15551
15552 @kindex disconnect
15553 @item disconnect
15554 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
15555 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
15556 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
15557 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
15558 another target.
15559
15560 @cindex send command to remote monitor
15561 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
15562 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
15563 @kindex monitor
15564 @item monitor @var{cmd}
15565 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
15566 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
15567 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
15568 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
15569 and implement.
15570 @end table
15571
15572 @node File Transfer
15573 @section Sending files to a remote system
15574 @cindex remote target, file transfer
15575 @cindex file transfer
15576 @cindex sending files to remote systems
15577
15578 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
15579 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
15580 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
15581 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
15582 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
15583 the only way to upload or download files.
15584
15585 Not all remote targets support these commands.
15586
15587 @table @code
15588 @kindex remote put
15589 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
15590 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
15591 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
15592
15593 @kindex remote get
15594 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
15595 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
15596 on the host system.
15597
15598 @kindex remote delete
15599 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
15600 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
15601
15602 @end table
15603
15604 @node Server
15605 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
15606
15607 @kindex gdbserver
15608 @cindex remote connection without stubs
15609 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
15610 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
15611 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15612
15613 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15614 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15615 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15616 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15617 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15618 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15619 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15620 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15621 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15622 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15623 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15624 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15625 choice for debugging.
15626
15627 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15628 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15629 protocol.
15630
15631 @quotation
15632 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15633 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15634 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15635 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15636 @code{gdbserver}.
15637 @end quotation
15638
15639 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15640 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15641
15642 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15643 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15644 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15645 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15646 system does all the symbol handling.
15647
15648 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15649 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15650 syntax is:
15651
15652 @smallexample
15653 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15654 @end smallexample
15655
15656 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15657 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15658 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15659 @file{/dev/com1}:
15660
15661 @smallexample
15662 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15663 @end smallexample
15664
15665 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15666 with it.
15667
15668 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15669
15670 @smallexample
15671 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15672 @end smallexample
15673
15674 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15675 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15676 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15677 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15678 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15679 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15680 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15681 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15682 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15683 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15684 @code{target remote} command.
15685
15686 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15687
15688 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15689 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15690
15691 @smallexample
15692 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15693 @end smallexample
15694
15695 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15696 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15697
15698 @pindex pidof
15699 @cindex attach to a program by name
15700 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15701 @code{pidof} utility:
15702
15703 @smallexample
15704 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15705 @end smallexample
15706
15707 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15708 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15709 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15710
15711 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15712 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15713 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15714
15715 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15716 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15717 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15718 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15719
15720 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15721 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15722 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15723 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15724 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15725 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15726 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15727 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15728 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15729
15730 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15731 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15732 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15733 the program you want to debug.
15734
15735 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15736 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15737 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15738
15739 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15740
15741 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15742 status information about the debugging process. The
15743 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15744 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15745 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15746
15747 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15748 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15749 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15750 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15751
15752 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15753 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15754 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15755 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15756
15757 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15758 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15759 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15760 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15761
15762 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15763 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15764 environment:
15765
15766 @smallexample
15767 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15768 @end smallexample
15769
15770 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15771
15772 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15773
15774 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15775 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15776 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15777 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15778
15779 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15780 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15781 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15782 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15783 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15784 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15785 programs.
15786
15787 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15788 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15789 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15790 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15791 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15792 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15793 already on the target.
15794
15795 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15796 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15797 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15798
15799 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15800 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15801 Here are the available commands.
15802
15803 @table @code
15804 @item monitor help
15805 List the available monitor commands.
15806
15807 @item monitor set debug 0
15808 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15809 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15810
15811 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
15812 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15813 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15814 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15815
15816 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15817 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15818 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15819 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15820 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15821 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15822
15823 @item monitor exit
15824 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15825 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15826 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15827 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15828 of a multi-process mode debug session.
15829
15830 @end table
15831
15832 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
15833 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
15834
15835 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints and fast
15836 tracepoints.
15837
15838 For fast tracepoints to work, a special library called the
15839 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
15840 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
15841 @code{gdbserver}.
15842
15843 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
15844
15845 @table @code
15846 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
15847
15848 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
15849 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
15850 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
15851
15852 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
15853
15854 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
15855 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
15856 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
15857 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
15858 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
15859 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
15860
15861 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
15862
15863 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
15864 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
15865 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
15866 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
15867 command for that. For example:
15868
15869 @smallexample
15870 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
15871 @end smallexample
15872
15873 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
15874 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
15875 @end table
15876
15877 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
15878 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
15879 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
15880 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
15881 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
15882 case, before being able to use any of the fast tracepoints features,
15883 you need to let the loader run and load the shared libraries. The
15884 most simple way to do that is to run the program to the main
15885 procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
15886 @code{gdbserver} like so:
15887
15888 @smallexample
15889 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
15890 @end smallexample
15891
15892 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
15893
15894 @smallexample
15895 $ gdb myprogram
15896 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
15897 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
15898 (@value{GDBP}) b main
15899 (@value{GDBP}) continue
15900 @end smallexample
15901
15902 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
15903 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
15904 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
15905 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints and start
15906 tracing.
15907
15908 @node Remote Configuration
15909 @section Remote Configuration
15910
15911 @kindex set remote
15912 @kindex show remote
15913 This section documents the configuration options available when
15914 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15915 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15916 system-call-allowed}.
15917
15918 @table @code
15919 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15920 @cindex address size for remote targets
15921 @cindex bits in remote address
15922 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15923 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15924 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15925 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15926
15927 @item show remoteaddresssize
15928 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15929
15930 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
15931 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
15932 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15933 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15934 remote targets.
15935
15936 @item show remotebaud
15937 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15938
15939 @item set remotebreak
15940 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15941 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15942 @anchor{set remotebreak}
15943 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15944 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15945 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15946 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15947 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15948
15949 @item show remotebreak
15950 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15951 interrupt the remote program.
15952
15953 @item set remoteflow on
15954 @itemx set remoteflow off
15955 @kindex set remoteflow
15956 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15957 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15958
15959 @item show remoteflow
15960 @kindex show remoteflow
15961 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15962
15963 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15964 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15965 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15966 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15967 @code{ascii}.
15968
15969 @item show remotelogbase
15970 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15971 protocol.
15972
15973 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15974 @cindex record serial communications on file
15975 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15976 default is not to record at all.
15977
15978 @item show remotelogfile.
15979 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15980 serial communications.
15981
15982 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15983 @cindex timeout for serial communications
15984 @cindex remote timeout
15985 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15986 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15987
15988 @item show remotetimeout
15989 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15990 responses.
15991
15992 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15993 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15994 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15995 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15996 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15997 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15998 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15999 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16000
16001 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16002 @itemx show remote exec-file
16003 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16004 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16005 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16006 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16007 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16008 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16009
16010 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16011 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16012 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16013 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16014 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16015 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16016 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16017 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16018 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16019 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16020
16021 @item show interrupt-sequence
16022 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16023 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16024 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16025 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16026
16027 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16028 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16029 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16030 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16031 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16032 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16033
16034 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16035 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16036 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16037
16038 @kindex set tcp
16039 @kindex show tcp
16040 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16041 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16042 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16043 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16044 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16045 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16046 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16047 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16048 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16049
16050 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16051 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16052
16053 @item show tcp auto-retry
16054 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16055
16056 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16057 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16058 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16059 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16060 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16061 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16062 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16063 value.
16064
16065 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16066 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16067 @end table
16068
16069 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16070 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16071 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16072 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16073 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16074 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16075 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16076 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16077 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16078
16079 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16080 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16081 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16082 @value{GDBN} developers.
16083
16084 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16085 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16086 are:
16087
16088 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16089 @item Command Name
16090 @tab Remote Packet
16091 @tab Related Features
16092
16093 @item @code{fetch-register}
16094 @tab @code{p}
16095 @tab @code{info registers}
16096
16097 @item @code{set-register}
16098 @tab @code{P}
16099 @tab @code{set}
16100
16101 @item @code{binary-download}
16102 @tab @code{X}
16103 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16104
16105 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16106 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16107 @tab @code{info auxv}
16108
16109 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16110 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16111 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16112
16113 @item @code{attach}
16114 @tab @code{vAttach}
16115 @tab @code{attach}
16116
16117 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16118 @tab @code{vCont}
16119 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16120
16121 @item @code{run}
16122 @tab @code{vRun}
16123 @tab @code{run}
16124
16125 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16126 @tab @code{Z0}
16127 @tab @code{break}
16128
16129 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16130 @tab @code{Z1}
16131 @tab @code{hbreak}
16132
16133 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16134 @tab @code{Z2}
16135 @tab @code{watch}
16136
16137 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16138 @tab @code{Z3}
16139 @tab @code{rwatch}
16140
16141 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16142 @tab @code{Z4}
16143 @tab @code{awatch}
16144
16145 @item @code{target-features}
16146 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16147 @tab @code{set architecture}
16148
16149 @item @code{library-info}
16150 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16151 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16152
16153 @item @code{memory-map}
16154 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16155 @tab @code{info mem}
16156
16157 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16158 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16159 @tab @code{info spu}
16160
16161 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16162 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16163 @tab @code{info spu}
16164
16165 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16166 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16167 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16168
16169 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16170 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16171 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16172
16173 @item @code{threads}
16174 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16175 @tab @code{info threads}
16176
16177 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16178 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16179 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16180
16181 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16182 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16183 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16184
16185 @item @code{search-memory}
16186 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16187 @tab @code{find}
16188
16189 @item @code{supported-packets}
16190 @tab @code{qSupported}
16191 @tab Remote communications parameters
16192
16193 @item @code{pass-signals}
16194 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16195 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16196
16197 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16198 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16199 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16200
16201 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16202 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16203 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16204
16205 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16206 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16207 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16208
16209 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16210 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16211 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16212
16213 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16214 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16215 @tab @code{remote delete}
16216
16217 @item @code{noack-packet}
16218 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16219 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16220
16221 @item @code{osdata}
16222 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16223 @tab @code{info os}
16224
16225 @item @code{query-attached}
16226 @tab @code{qAttached}
16227 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16228 @end multitable
16229
16230 @node Remote Stub
16231 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16232
16233 @cindex debugging stub, example
16234 @cindex remote stub, example
16235 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16236 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16237 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16238 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16239 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16240 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16241 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16242 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16243
16244 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16245 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16246 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16247 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16248 program, you need:
16249
16250 @enumerate
16251 @item
16252 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16253 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16254 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16255
16256 @item
16257 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16258 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16259
16260 @item
16261 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16262 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16263 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16264 documentation.
16265 @end enumerate
16266
16267 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16268 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16269 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16270
16271 @table @emph
16272 @item On the host,
16273 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16274 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16275 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16276
16277 @item On the target,
16278 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16279 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16280 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16281
16282 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16283 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16284 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16285 @end table
16286
16287 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16288 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16289 @sc{sparc} boards.
16290
16291 @cindex remote serial stub list
16292 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16293
16294 @table @code
16295
16296 @item i386-stub.c
16297 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16298 @cindex Intel
16299 @cindex i386
16300 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16301
16302 @item m68k-stub.c
16303 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16304 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16305 @cindex m680x0
16306 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16307
16308 @item sh-stub.c
16309 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16310 @cindex Renesas
16311 @cindex SH
16312 For Renesas SH architectures.
16313
16314 @item sparc-stub.c
16315 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16316 @cindex Sparc
16317 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16318
16319 @item sparcl-stub.c
16320 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16321 @cindex Fujitsu
16322 @cindex SparcLite
16323 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16324
16325 @end table
16326
16327 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16328 recently added stubs.
16329
16330 @menu
16331 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16332 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16333 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16334 @end menu
16335
16336 @node Stub Contents
16337 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16338
16339 @cindex remote serial stub
16340 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16341 subroutines:
16342
16343 @table @code
16344 @item set_debug_traps
16345 @findex set_debug_traps
16346 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16347 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16348 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16349 beginning of your program.
16350
16351 @item handle_exception
16352 @findex handle_exception
16353 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16354 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16355 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16356 run when a trap is triggered.
16357
16358 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16359 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16360 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16361 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16362 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16363 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16364 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16365 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16366 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16367 machine.
16368
16369 @item breakpoint
16370 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16371 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16372 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16373 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16374 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16375 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16376 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16377 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16378 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16379 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16380 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16381
16382 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16383 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16384 start of your debugging session.
16385 @end table
16386
16387 @node Bootstrapping
16388 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16389
16390 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16391 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16392 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16393 debugging target machine.
16394
16395 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16396 serial port.
16397
16398 @table @code
16399 @item int getDebugChar()
16400 @findex getDebugChar
16401 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16402 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16403 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16404
16405 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16406 @findex putDebugChar
16407 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16408 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16409 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16410 @end table
16411
16412 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16413 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16414 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16415 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16416 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16417 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16418 remote system to stop.
16419
16420 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16421 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16422 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16423 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16424
16425 Other routines you need to supply are:
16426
16427 @table @code
16428 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16429 @findex exceptionHandler
16430 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16431 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16432 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16433 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16434 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16435 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16436 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16437 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16438 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16439 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16440 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16441 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16442 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16443
16444 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16445 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16446 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16447 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16448 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16449
16450 @item void flush_i_cache()
16451 @findex flush_i_cache
16452 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16453 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16454 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16455
16456 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16457 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16458 @end table
16459
16460 @noindent
16461 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16462
16463 @table @code
16464 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16465 @findex memset
16466 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16467 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16468 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16469 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16470 @end table
16471
16472 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16473 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16474 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16475 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16476
16477
16478 @node Debug Session
16479 @subsection Putting it All Together
16480
16481 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16482 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16483 steps.
16484
16485 @enumerate
16486 @item
16487 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16488 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16489 @display
16490 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16491 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16492 @end display
16493
16494 @item
16495 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16496
16497 @smallexample
16498 set_debug_traps();
16499 breakpoint();
16500 @end smallexample
16501
16502 @item
16503 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16504 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16505
16506 @smallexample
16507 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16508 @end smallexample
16509
16510 @noindent
16511 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16512 function in your program, that function is called when
16513 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16514 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16515 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
16516
16517 @item
16518 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
16519 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
16520
16521 @item
16522 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
16523 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
16524
16525 @item
16526 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
16527 @c document that. FIXME.
16528 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
16529 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
16530
16531 @item
16532 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
16533 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16534
16535 @end enumerate
16536
16537 @node Configurations
16538 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
16539
16540 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
16541 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
16542 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
16543
16544 There are three major categories of configurations: native
16545 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
16546 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
16547 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
16548 are quite different from each other.
16549
16550 @menu
16551 * Native::
16552 * Embedded OS::
16553 * Embedded Processors::
16554 * Architectures::
16555 @end menu
16556
16557 @node Native
16558 @section Native
16559
16560 This section describes details specific to particular native
16561 configurations.
16562
16563 @menu
16564 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
16565 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
16566 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
16567 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
16568 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
16569 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
16570 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
16571 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
16572 @end menu
16573
16574 @node HP-UX
16575 @subsection HP-UX
16576
16577 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
16578 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
16579 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
16580
16581
16582 @node BSD libkvm Interface
16583 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
16584
16585 @cindex libkvm
16586 @cindex kernel memory image
16587 @cindex kernel crash dump
16588
16589 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
16590 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
16591 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
16592 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
16593 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
16594 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
16595 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
16596 @code{kvm} target:
16597
16598 @smallexample
16599 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
16600 @end smallexample
16601
16602 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
16603 argument:
16604
16605 @smallexample
16606 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
16607 @end smallexample
16608
16609 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
16610 available:
16611
16612 @table @code
16613 @kindex kvm
16614 @item kvm pcb
16615 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
16616
16617 @item kvm proc
16618 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
16619 modern FreeBSD systems.
16620 @end table
16621
16622 @node SVR4 Process Information
16623 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
16624 @cindex /proc
16625 @cindex examine process image
16626 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
16627
16628 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
16629 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
16630 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
16631 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
16632 proc} is available to report information about the process running
16633 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
16634 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
16635 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
16636 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
16637
16638 @table @code
16639 @kindex info proc
16640 @cindex process ID
16641 @item info proc
16642 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
16643 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
16644 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
16645 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
16646 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
16647 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
16648 executable file's absolute file name.
16649
16650 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
16651 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
16652 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
16653 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
16654 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
16655 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
16656
16657 @item info proc mappings
16658 @cindex memory address space mappings
16659 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
16660 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
16661 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
16662 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
16663 memory access rights to that range.
16664
16665 @item info proc stat
16666 @itemx info proc status
16667 @cindex process detailed status information
16668 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
16669 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
16670 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
16671 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
16672 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
16673 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
16674 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
16675
16676 @item info proc all
16677 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
16678 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
16679
16680 @ignore
16681 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
16682 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
16683 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
16684 @kindex info proc times
16685 @item info proc times
16686 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
16687 its children.
16688
16689 @kindex info proc id
16690 @item info proc id
16691 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
16692 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
16693 @end ignore
16694
16695 @item set procfs-trace
16696 @kindex set procfs-trace
16697 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16698 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16699
16700 @item show procfs-trace
16701 @kindex show procfs-trace
16702 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16703
16704 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16705 @kindex set procfs-file
16706 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16707 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16708 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16709 standard output.
16710
16711 @item show procfs-file
16712 @kindex show procfs-file
16713 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16714
16715 @item proc-trace-entry
16716 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16717 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16718 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16719 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16720 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16721 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16722 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16723 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16724 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16725
16726 @item info pidlist
16727 @kindex info pidlist
16728 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16729 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16730 processes and all the threads within each process.
16731
16732 @item info meminfo
16733 @kindex info meminfo
16734 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16735 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16736 @end table
16737
16738 @node DJGPP Native
16739 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16740 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16741 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16742 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16743
16744 @cindex DPMI
16745 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16746 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16747 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16748 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16749
16750 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16751 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16752 subsection describes those commands.
16753
16754 @table @code
16755 @kindex info dos
16756 @item info dos
16757 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16758 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16759
16760 @kindex sysinfo
16761 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16762 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16763 @item info dos sysinfo
16764 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16765 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16766 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16767
16768 @cindex GDT
16769 @cindex LDT
16770 @cindex IDT
16771 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16772 @cindex descriptor tables display
16773 @item info dos gdt
16774 @itemx info dos ldt
16775 @itemx info dos idt
16776 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16777 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16778 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16779 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16780 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16781 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16782 rights.
16783
16784 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16785 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16786 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16787 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16788 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16789
16790 @cindex garbled pointers
16791 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16792 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16793 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16794 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16795 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16796 debugged program's data segment:
16797
16798 @smallexample
16799 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16800 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16801 @end smallexample
16802
16803 @noindent
16804 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16805 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16806
16807 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16808 @item info dos pde
16809 @itemx info dos pte
16810 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16811 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16812 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16813 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16814 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16815 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16816 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16817 that is currently in use.
16818
16819 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16820 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16821 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16822 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16823 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16824 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16825 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16826
16827 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16828 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16829 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16830 controller.
16831
16832 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16833
16834 @cindex physical address from linear address
16835 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16836 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16837 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16838 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16839 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16840 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16841 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16842
16843 @smallexample
16844 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16845 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16846 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16847 @end smallexample
16848
16849 @noindent
16850 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16851 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16852 attributes of that page.
16853
16854 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16855 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16856 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16857 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16858 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16859 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16860
16861 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16862 transfer buffer:
16863
16864 @smallexample
16865 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16866 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16867 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16868 @end smallexample
16869
16870 @noindent
16871 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
16872 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16873 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16874 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16875 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16876
16877 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16878 @end table
16879
16880 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16881 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16882 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16883 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16884
16885 @table @code
16886 @kindex set com1base
16887 @kindex set com1irq
16888 @kindex set com2base
16889 @kindex set com2irq
16890 @kindex set com3base
16891 @kindex set com3irq
16892 @kindex set com4base
16893 @kindex set com4irq
16894 @item set com1base @var{addr}
16895 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16896 port.
16897
16898 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
16899 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16900 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16901
16902 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16903 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16904 other 3 COM ports.
16905
16906 @kindex show com1base
16907 @kindex show com1irq
16908 @kindex show com2base
16909 @kindex show com2irq
16910 @kindex show com3base
16911 @kindex show com3irq
16912 @kindex show com4base
16913 @kindex show com4irq
16914 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16915 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16916 lines used by the COM ports.
16917
16918 @item info serial
16919 @kindex info serial
16920 @cindex DOS serial port status
16921 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16922 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16923 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16924 counts of various errors encountered so far.
16925 @end table
16926
16927
16928 @node Cygwin Native
16929 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16930 @cindex MS Windows debugging
16931 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
16932 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16933
16934 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16935 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16936
16937 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16938 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16939 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16940 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16941 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16942 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16943 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16944 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16945
16946 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16947 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16948 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16949
16950 @table @code
16951 @kindex info w32
16952 @item info w32
16953 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16954 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16955
16956 @item info w32 selector
16957 This command displays information returned by
16958 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16959 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16960 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16961 Without argument, this command displays information
16962 about the six segment registers.
16963
16964 @item info w32 thread-information-block
16965 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
16966 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
16967 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
16968
16969 @kindex info dll
16970 @item info dll
16971 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16972
16973 @kindex dll-symbols
16974 @item dll-symbols
16975 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16976 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16977
16978 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16979 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16980 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16981 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16982 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16983 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16984 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16985 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16986 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16987 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16988 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16989
16990 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16991 @item show cygwin-exceptions
16992 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16993 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16994
16995 @kindex set new-console
16996 @item set new-console @var{mode}
16997 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16998 be started in a new console on next start.
16999 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17000 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17001
17002 @kindex show new-console
17003 @item show new-console
17004 Displays whether a new console is used
17005 when the debuggee is started.
17006
17007 @kindex set new-group
17008 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17009 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17010 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17011 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17012 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17013
17014 @kindex show new-group
17015 @item show new-group
17016 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17017
17018 @kindex set debugevents
17019 @item set debugevents
17020 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17021 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17022 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17023 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17024 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17025
17026 @kindex set debugexec
17027 @item set debugexec
17028 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17029 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17030
17031 @kindex set debugexceptions
17032 @item set debugexceptions
17033 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17034 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17035
17036 @kindex set debugmemory
17037 @item set debugmemory
17038 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17039 and writes by the debugger.
17040
17041 @kindex set shell
17042 @item set shell
17043 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17044 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17045
17046 @kindex show shell
17047 @item show shell
17048 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17049
17050 @end table
17051
17052 @menu
17053 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17054 @end menu
17055
17056 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17057 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17058 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17059 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17060
17061 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17062 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17063 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17064 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17065 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17066 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17067 ``minimal symbols''.
17068
17069 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17070 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17071 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17072 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17073 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17074 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17075 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17076 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17077 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17078 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17079
17080 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17081
17082 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17083 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17084 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17085 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17086 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17087 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17088 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17089 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17090 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17091
17092 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17093 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17094 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17095 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17096 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17097 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17098
17099 @smallexample
17100 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17101 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17102
17103 Non-debugging symbols:
17104 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17105 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17106 @end smallexample
17107
17108 @smallexample
17109 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17110 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17111
17112 Non-debugging symbols:
17113 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17114 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17115 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17116 [etc...]
17117 @end smallexample
17118
17119 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17120
17121 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17122 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17123 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17124 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17125 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17126 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17127 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17128
17129 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17130 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17131 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17132 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17133 problem:
17134
17135 @smallexample
17136 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17137 $1 = 268572168
17138 @end smallexample
17139
17140 @smallexample
17141 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17142 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17143 @end smallexample
17144
17145 And two possible solutions:
17146
17147 @smallexample
17148 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17149 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17150 @end smallexample
17151
17152 @smallexample
17153 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17154 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17155 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17156 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17157 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17158 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17159 @end smallexample
17160
17161 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17162 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17163 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17164 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17165 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17166
17167 @smallexample
17168 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17169 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17170 @end smallexample
17171
17172 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17173 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17174 safe.
17175
17176 @node Hurd Native
17177 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17178 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17179
17180 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17181 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17182
17183 @table @code
17184 @item set signals
17185 @itemx set sigs
17186 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17187 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17188 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17189 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17190 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17191 @code{signals}.
17192
17193 @item show signals
17194 @itemx show sigs
17195 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17196 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17197 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17198
17199 @item set signal-thread
17200 @itemx set sigthread
17201 @kindex set signal-thread
17202 @kindex set sigthread
17203 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17204 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17205 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17206 signal-thread}.
17207
17208 @item show signal-thread
17209 @itemx show sigthread
17210 @kindex show signal-thread
17211 @kindex show sigthread
17212 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17213 delivered a signal.
17214
17215 @item set stopped
17216 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17217 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17218 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17219 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17220
17221 @item show stopped
17222 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17223 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17224 stopped.
17225
17226 @item set exceptions
17227 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17228 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17229 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17230 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17231 trapping on.
17232
17233 @item show exceptions
17234 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17235 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17236
17237 @item set task pause
17238 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17239 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17240 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17241 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17242 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17243 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17244 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17245 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17246 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17247
17248 @item show task pause
17249 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17250 Show the current state of task suspension.
17251
17252 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17253 @cindex task suspend count
17254 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17255 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17256 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17257
17258 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17259 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17260
17261 @item set task exception-port
17262 @itemx set task excp
17263 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17264 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17265 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17266 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17267
17268 @item set noninvasive
17269 @cindex noninvasive task options
17270 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17271 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17272 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17273 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17274
17275 @item info send-rights
17276 @itemx info receive-rights
17277 @itemx info port-rights
17278 @itemx info port-sets
17279 @itemx info dead-names
17280 @itemx info ports
17281 @itemx info psets
17282 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17283 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17284 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17285 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17286 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17287 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17288 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17289 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17290 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17291
17292 @item set thread pause
17293 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17294 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17295 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17296 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17297 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17298 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17299 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17300 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17301 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17302 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17303 only the current thread.
17304
17305 @item show thread pause
17306 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17307 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17308
17309 @item set thread run
17310 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17311
17312 @item show thread run
17313 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17314
17315 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17316 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17317 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17318 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17319 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17320 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17321 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17322
17323 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17324 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17325 detaching.
17326
17327 @item set thread exception-port
17328 @itemx set thread excp
17329 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17330 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17331 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17332
17333 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17334 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17335 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17336 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17337
17338 @item set thread default
17339 @itemx show thread default
17340 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17341 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17342 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17343 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17344 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17345 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17346 the non-default commands.
17347 @end table
17348
17349
17350 @node Neutrino
17351 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17352 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17353
17354 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17355 Neutrino target:
17356
17357 @table @code
17358 @item set debug nto-debug
17359 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17360 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17361 Neutrino support.
17362
17363 @item show debug nto-debug
17364 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17365 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17366 @end table
17367
17368 @node Darwin
17369 @subsection Darwin
17370 @cindex Darwin
17371
17372 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17373
17374 @table @code
17375 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17376 @kindex set debug darwin
17377 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17378 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17379
17380 @item show debug darwin
17381 @kindex show debug darwin
17382 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17383
17384 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17385 @kindex set debug mach-o
17386 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17387 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17388 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17389 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17390 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17391 usage.
17392
17393 @item show debug mach-o
17394 @kindex show debug mach-o
17395 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17396
17397 @item set mach-exceptions on
17398 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17399 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17400 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17401 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17402 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17403 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17404
17405 @item show mach-exceptions
17406 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17407 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17408 @end table
17409
17410
17411 @node Embedded OS
17412 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17413
17414 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17415 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17416 architectures.
17417
17418 @menu
17419 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17420 @end menu
17421
17422 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17423 various real-time operating systems.
17424
17425 @node VxWorks
17426 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17427
17428 @cindex VxWorks
17429
17430 @table @code
17431
17432 @kindex target vxworks
17433 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17434 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17435 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17436
17437 @end table
17438
17439 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17440 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17441
17442 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17443 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17444 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17445 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17446 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17447 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17448 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17449
17450 @table @code
17451 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17452 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17453 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17454 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17455 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17456 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17457 of a thin network line.
17458 @end table
17459
17460 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17461 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17462 procedures.
17463
17464 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17465 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17466 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17467 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17468 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17469 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17470 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17471 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17472 manual.
17473 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17474
17475 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17476 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17477 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17478 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17479
17480 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17481
17482 @smallexample
17483 (vxgdb)
17484 @end smallexample
17485
17486 @menu
17487 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17488 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17489 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17490 @end menu
17491
17492 @node VxWorks Connection
17493 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17494
17495 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17496 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17497
17498 @smallexample
17499 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17500 @end smallexample
17501
17502 @need 750
17503 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17504
17505 @smallexample
17506 Attaching remote machine across net...
17507 Connected to tt.
17508 @end smallexample
17509
17510 @need 1000
17511 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17512 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17513 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17514 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17515 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
17516
17517 @smallexample
17518 prog.o: No such file or directory.
17519 @end smallexample
17520
17521 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
17522 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
17523 command again.
17524
17525 @node VxWorks Download
17526 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
17527
17528 @cindex download to VxWorks
17529 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
17530 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
17531 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
17532 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
17533 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
17534 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
17535 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
17536 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
17537 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
17538 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
17539 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
17540 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
17541 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
17542 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
17543 program, type this on VxWorks:
17544
17545 @smallexample
17546 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
17547 @end smallexample
17548
17549 @noindent
17550 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17551
17552 @smallexample
17553 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
17554 (vxgdb) load prog.o
17555 @end smallexample
17556
17557 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
17558
17559 @smallexample
17560 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
17561 @end smallexample
17562
17563 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
17564 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
17565 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
17566 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
17567 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
17568 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
17569 table.)
17570
17571 @node VxWorks Attach
17572 @subsubsection Running Tasks
17573
17574 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
17575 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
17576 follows:
17577
17578 @smallexample
17579 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
17580 @end smallexample
17581
17582 @noindent
17583 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
17584 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
17585 the time of attachment.
17586
17587 @node Embedded Processors
17588 @section Embedded Processors
17589
17590 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
17591 configurations.
17592
17593 @cindex send command to simulator
17594 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
17595 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
17596
17597 @table @code
17598 @item sim @var{command}
17599 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
17600 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
17601 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
17602 acceptable commands.
17603 @end table
17604
17605
17606 @menu
17607 * ARM:: ARM RDI
17608 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
17609 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
17610 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
17611 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
17612 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
17613 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
17614 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
17615 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
17616 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
17617 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
17618 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
17619 * CRIS:: CRIS
17620 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
17621 @end menu
17622
17623 @node ARM
17624 @subsection ARM
17625 @cindex ARM RDI
17626
17627 @table @code
17628 @kindex target rdi
17629 @item target rdi @var{dev}
17630 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
17631 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
17632 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
17633
17634 @kindex target rdp
17635 @item target rdp @var{dev}
17636 ARM Demon monitor.
17637
17638 @end table
17639
17640 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
17641
17642 @table @code
17643 @item set arm disassembler
17644 @kindex set arm
17645 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
17646 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
17647
17648 @item show arm disassembler
17649 @kindex show arm
17650 Show the current disassembly style.
17651
17652 @item set arm apcs32
17653 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
17654 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
17655
17656 @item show arm apcs32
17657 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
17658
17659 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
17660 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
17661 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
17662
17663 @table @code
17664 @item auto
17665 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
17666 @item softfpa
17667 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
17668 processors.
17669 @item fpa
17670 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
17671 @item softvfp
17672 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
17673 @item vfp
17674 VFP co-processor.
17675 @end table
17676
17677 @item show arm fpu
17678 Show the current type of the FPU.
17679
17680 @item set arm abi
17681 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
17682
17683 @item show arm abi
17684 Show the currently used ABI.
17685
17686 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17687 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
17688 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
17689 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
17690 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
17691 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
17692 register).
17693
17694 @item show arm fallback-mode
17695 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
17696
17697 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17698 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
17699 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
17700 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17701 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17702
17703 @item show arm force-mode
17704 Show the current forced instruction mode.
17705
17706 @item set debug arm
17707 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17708 target support subsystem.
17709
17710 @item show debug arm
17711 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17712 @end table
17713
17714 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17715 using the RDI interface:
17716
17717 @table @code
17718 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17719 @kindex rdilogfile
17720 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17721 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17722 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17723 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17724 @file{rdi.log}.
17725
17726 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17727 @kindex rdilogenable
17728 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17729 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17730 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17731 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17732 are logged to a file.
17733
17734 @item set rdiromatzero
17735 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17736 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17737 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17738 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17739 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17740 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17741
17742 @item show rdiromatzero
17743 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17744 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17745
17746 @item set rdiheartbeat
17747 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17748 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17749 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17750 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17751 well as the Angel monitor.
17752
17753 @item show rdiheartbeat
17754 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17755 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17756 @end table
17757
17758 @table @code
17759 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17760 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
17761
17762 @table @code
17763 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
17764 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
17765 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
17766 The default value is @code{all}.
17767
17768 @table @code
17769 @item none
17770 @item demon
17771 @item angel
17772 @item redboot
17773 @item all
17774 @end table
17775 @end table
17776 @end table
17777
17778 @node M32R/D
17779 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17780
17781 @table @code
17782 @kindex target m32r
17783 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17784 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17785
17786 @kindex target m32rsdi
17787 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17788 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17789 @end table
17790
17791 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17792
17793 @table @code
17794 @item set download-path @var{path}
17795 @kindex set download-path
17796 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17797 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17798
17799 @item show download-path
17800 @kindex show download-path
17801 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17802
17803 @item set board-address @var{addr}
17804 @kindex set board-address
17805 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
17806 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17807
17808 @item show board-address
17809 @kindex show board-address
17810 Show the current IP address of the target board.
17811
17812 @item set server-address @var{addr}
17813 @kindex set server-address
17814 @cindex download server address (M32R)
17815 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17816 host machine.
17817
17818 @item show server-address
17819 @kindex show server-address
17820 Display the IP address of the download server.
17821
17822 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17823 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17824 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17825 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17826 executable file is uploaded.
17827
17828 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17829 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17830 Test the @code{upload} command.
17831 @end table
17832
17833 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17834
17835 @table @code
17836 @item sdireset
17837 @kindex sdireset
17838 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17839 This command resets the SDI connection.
17840
17841 @item sdistatus
17842 @kindex sdistatus
17843 This command shows the SDI connection status.
17844
17845 @item debug_chaos
17846 @kindex debug_chaos
17847 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17848 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17849
17850 @item use_debug_dma
17851 @kindex use_debug_dma
17852 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17853
17854 @item use_mon_code
17855 @kindex use_mon_code
17856 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17857
17858 @item use_ib_break
17859 @kindex use_ib_break
17860 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17861
17862 @item use_dbt_break
17863 @kindex use_dbt_break
17864 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17865 @end table
17866
17867 @node M68K
17868 @subsection M68k
17869
17870 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17871 target command for the following ROM monitor.
17872
17873 @table @code
17874
17875 @kindex target dbug
17876 @item target dbug @var{dev}
17877 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17878
17879 @end table
17880
17881 @node MicroBlaze
17882 @subsection MicroBlaze
17883 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17884 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17885
17886 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17887 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17888 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17889 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17890 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17891 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17892 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17893 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17894 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17895 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17896 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17897
17898 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17899
17900 @table @code
17901 @item target remote :1234
17902 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17903 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17904
17905 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17906 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17907 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17908
17909 @item load
17910 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17911
17912 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17913 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17914
17915 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17916 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17917 @end table
17918
17919 @node MIPS Embedded
17920 @subsection MIPS Embedded
17921
17922 @cindex MIPS boards
17923 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17924 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17925 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17926
17927 @need 1000
17928 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17929
17930 @table @code
17931 @item target mips @var{port}
17932 @kindex target mips @var{port}
17933 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17934 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17935 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17936 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17937 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17938 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17939
17940 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17941 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17942 debugger:
17943
17944 @smallexample
17945 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17946 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17947 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17948 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17949 (@value{GDBP}) run
17950 @end smallexample
17951
17952 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17953 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17954 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17955 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17956 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17957
17958 @item target pmon @var{port}
17959 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
17960 PMON ROM monitor.
17961
17962 @item target ddb @var{port}
17963 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
17964 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17965
17966 @item target lsi @var{port}
17967 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
17968 LSI variant of PMON.
17969
17970 @kindex target r3900
17971 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
17972 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17973
17974 @kindex target array
17975 @item target array @var{dev}
17976 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17977
17978 @end table
17979
17980
17981 @noindent
17982 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17983
17984 @table @code
17985 @item set mipsfpu double
17986 @itemx set mipsfpu single
17987 @itemx set mipsfpu none
17988 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
17989 @itemx show mipsfpu
17990 @kindex set mipsfpu
17991 @kindex show mipsfpu
17992 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
17993 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17994 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17995 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17996 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17997 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17998 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17999 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18000 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18001 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18002 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18003 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18004 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18005
18006 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18007 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18008 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18009
18010 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18011 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18012
18013 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18014 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18015 @itemx show timeout
18016 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18017 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18018 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18019 @kindex set timeout
18020 @kindex show timeout
18021 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18022 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18023 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18024 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18025 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18026 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18027 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18028 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18029 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18030 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18031
18032 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18033 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18034 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18035 to run before stopping.
18036
18037 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18038 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18039 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18040 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18041 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18042 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18043
18044 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18045 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18046 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18047 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18048
18049 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18050 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18051 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18052 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18053 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18054 @table @asis
18055 @item pmon target
18056 @samp{PMON}
18057 @item ddb target
18058 @samp{NEC010}
18059 @item lsi target
18060 @samp{PMON>}
18061 @end table
18062
18063 @item show monitor-prompt
18064 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18065 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18066 remote monitor.
18067
18068 @item set monitor-warnings
18069 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18070 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18071 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18072 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18073 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18074
18075 @item show monitor-warnings
18076 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18077 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18078
18079 @item pmon @var{command}
18080 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18081 @cindex send PMON command
18082 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18083 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18084 @end table
18085
18086 @node OpenRISC 1000
18087 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18088 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18089
18090 @cindex or1k boards
18091 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18092 about platform and commands.
18093
18094 @table @code
18095
18096 @kindex target jtag
18097 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18098
18099 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18100 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18101 connected via parallel port to the board.
18102
18103 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18104
18105 @kindex or1ksim
18106 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18107 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18108 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18109
18110 @kindex info or1k spr
18111 @item info or1k spr
18112 Displays spr groups.
18113
18114 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18115 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18116 Displays register names in selected group.
18117
18118 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18119 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18120 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18121 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18122 Shows information about specified spr register.
18123
18124 @kindex spr
18125 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18126 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18127 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18128 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18129 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18130 @end table
18131
18132 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18133 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18134 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18135 triggers can be set using:
18136 @table @code
18137 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18138 Load effective address/data
18139 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18140 Store effective address/data
18141 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18142 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18143 @item $FETCH
18144 Fetch data
18145 @end table
18146
18147 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18148 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18149
18150 @code{htrace} commands:
18151 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18152 @table @code
18153 @kindex hwatch
18154 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18155 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18156 or Data. For example:
18157
18158 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18159
18160 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18161
18162 @kindex htrace
18163 @item htrace info
18164 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18165
18166 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18167 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18168
18169 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18170 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18171
18172 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18173 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18174
18175 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18176 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18177 triggered.
18178
18179 @item htrace enable
18180 @itemx htrace disable
18181 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18182
18183 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18184 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18185
18186 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18187 will be written there.
18188
18189 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18190 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18191
18192 @item htrace mode continuous
18193 Set continuous trace mode.
18194
18195 @item htrace mode suspend
18196 Set suspend trace mode.
18197
18198 @end table
18199
18200 @node PowerPC Embedded
18201 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18202
18203 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18204
18205 @table @code
18206 @kindex set powerpc
18207 @item set powerpc soft-float
18208 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18209 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18210 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18211 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18212
18213 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18214 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18215 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18216 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18217 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18218 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18219 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18220 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18221
18222 @kindex target dink32
18223 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18224 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18225
18226 @kindex target ppcbug
18227 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18228 @kindex target ppcbug1
18229 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18230 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18231
18232 @kindex target sds
18233 @item target sds @var{dev}
18234 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18235 @end table
18236
18237 @cindex SDS protocol
18238 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18239 by @value{GDBN}:
18240
18241 @table @code
18242 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18243 @kindex set sdstimeout
18244 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18245 default is 2 seconds.
18246
18247 @item show sdstimeout
18248 @kindex show sdstimeout
18249 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18250
18251 @item sds @var{command}
18252 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18253 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18254 @end table
18255
18256
18257 @node PA
18258 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18259
18260 @table @code
18261
18262 @kindex target op50n
18263 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18264 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18265
18266 @kindex target w89k
18267 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18268 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18269
18270 @end table
18271
18272 @node Sparclet
18273 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18274
18275 @cindex Sparclet
18276
18277 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18278 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18279 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18280 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18281 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18282
18283 @table @code
18284 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18285 @kindex remotetimeout
18286 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18287 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18288 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18289 @end table
18290
18291 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18292 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18293 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18294 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18295 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18296
18297 @smallexample
18298 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18299 @end smallexample
18300
18301 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18302
18303 @smallexample
18304 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18305 @end smallexample
18306
18307 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18308 Once you have set
18309 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18310 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18311 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18312
18313 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18314
18315 @smallexample
18316 (gdbslet)
18317 @end smallexample
18318
18319 @menu
18320 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18321 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18322 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18323 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18324 @end menu
18325
18326 @node Sparclet File
18327 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18328
18329 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18330
18331 @smallexample
18332 (gdbslet) file prog
18333 @end smallexample
18334
18335 @need 1000
18336 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18337 @value{GDBN} locates
18338 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18339 path.
18340 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18341 files will be searched as well.
18342 @value{GDBN} locates
18343 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18344 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18345 If it fails
18346 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18347
18348 @smallexample
18349 prog: No such file or directory.
18350 @end smallexample
18351
18352 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18353 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18354 @code{target} command again.
18355
18356 @node Sparclet Connection
18357 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18358
18359 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18360 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18361
18362 @smallexample
18363 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18364 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18365 main () at ../prog.c:3
18366 @end smallexample
18367
18368 @need 750
18369 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18370
18371 @smallexample
18372 Connected to ttya.
18373 @end smallexample
18374
18375 @node Sparclet Download
18376 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
18377
18378 @cindex download to Sparclet
18379 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18380 you can use the @value{GDBN}
18381 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18382 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18383 command.
18384 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18385 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18386 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18387 of each of the file's sections.
18388 For instance, if the program
18389 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18390 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18391
18392 @smallexample
18393 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18394 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18395 @end smallexample
18396
18397 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18398 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18399 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18400
18401 @node Sparclet Execution
18402 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
18403
18404 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18405 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18406 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18407 manual for the list of commands.
18408
18409 @smallexample
18410 (gdbslet) b main
18411 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18412 (gdbslet) run
18413 Starting program: prog
18414 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18415 3 char *symarg = 0;
18416 (gdbslet) step
18417 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18418 (gdbslet)
18419 @end smallexample
18420
18421 @node Sparclite
18422 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18423
18424 @table @code
18425
18426 @kindex target sparclite
18427 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18428 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18429 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18430 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18431 remote protocol.
18432
18433 @end table
18434
18435 @node Z8000
18436 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18437
18438 @cindex Z8000
18439 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18440 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18441
18442 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18443 a Z8000 simulator.
18444
18445 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18446 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18447 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18448 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18449
18450 @table @code
18451 @item target sim @var{args}
18452 @kindex sim
18453 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18454 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18455 options, specify them via @var{args}.
18456 @end table
18457
18458 @noindent
18459 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18460 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18461 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18462 to run your program, and so on.
18463
18464 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18465 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18466 additional items of information as specially named registers:
18467
18468 @table @code
18469
18470 @item cycles
18471 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18472
18473 @item insts
18474 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18475
18476 @item time
18477 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18478
18479 @end table
18480
18481 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18482 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18483 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18484 simulated clock ticks.
18485
18486 @node AVR
18487 @subsection Atmel AVR
18488 @cindex AVR
18489
18490 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18491 following AVR-specific commands:
18492
18493 @table @code
18494 @item info io_registers
18495 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18496 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18497 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18498 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18499 @end table
18500
18501 @node CRIS
18502 @subsection CRIS
18503 @cindex CRIS
18504
18505 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
18506 following CRIS-specific commands:
18507
18508 @table @code
18509 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
18510 @cindex CRIS version
18511 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
18512 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
18513 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
18514
18515 @item show cris-version
18516 Show the current CRIS version.
18517
18518 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
18519 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
18520 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
18521 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
18522 @code{R59}.
18523
18524 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
18525 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
18526
18527 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
18528 @cindex CRIS mode
18529 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
18530 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
18531 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
18532
18533 @item show cris-mode
18534 Show the current CRIS mode.
18535 @end table
18536
18537 @node Super-H
18538 @subsection Renesas Super-H
18539 @cindex Super-H
18540
18541 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
18542 commands:
18543
18544 @table @code
18545 @item regs
18546 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
18547 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
18548
18549 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
18550 @kindex set sh calling-convention
18551 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
18552 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
18553 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
18554 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
18555 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
18556 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
18557 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
18558 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
18559 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
18560 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
18561
18562 @item show sh calling-convention
18563 @kindex show sh calling-convention
18564 Show the current calling convention setting.
18565
18566 @end table
18567
18568
18569 @node Architectures
18570 @section Architectures
18571
18572 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
18573 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
18574
18575 @menu
18576 * i386::
18577 * A29K::
18578 * Alpha::
18579 * MIPS::
18580 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
18581 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18582 * PowerPC::
18583 @end menu
18584
18585 @node i386
18586 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
18587
18588 @table @code
18589 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
18590 @kindex set struct-convention
18591 @cindex struct return convention
18592 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
18593 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
18594 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
18595 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
18596 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
18597 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
18598 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
18599 be returned in a register.
18600
18601 @item show struct-convention
18602 @kindex show struct-convention
18603 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
18604 from functions.
18605 @end table
18606
18607 @node A29K
18608 @subsection A29K
18609
18610 @table @code
18611
18612 @kindex set rstack_high_address
18613 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
18614 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
18615 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
18616 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18617 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
18618 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
18619 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
18620 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
18621 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
18622 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
18623 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
18624 hexadecimal.
18625
18626 @kindex show rstack_high_address
18627 @item show rstack_high_address
18628 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
18629 processors.
18630
18631 @end table
18632
18633 @node Alpha
18634 @subsection Alpha
18635
18636 See the following section.
18637
18638 @node MIPS
18639 @subsection MIPS
18640
18641 @cindex stack on Alpha
18642 @cindex stack on MIPS
18643 @cindex Alpha stack
18644 @cindex MIPS stack
18645 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
18646 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
18647 find the beginning of a function.
18648
18649 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
18650 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
18651 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
18652 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
18653 commands:
18654
18655 @table @code
18656 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
18657 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
18658 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
18659 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
18660 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
18661 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
18662 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
18663 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
18664
18665 @item show heuristic-fence-post
18666 Display the current limit.
18667 @end table
18668
18669 @noindent
18670 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
18671 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
18672
18673 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
18674 programs:
18675
18676 @table @code
18677 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
18678 @kindex set mips abi
18679 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
18680 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
18681 values of @var{arg} are:
18682
18683 @table @samp
18684 @item auto
18685 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
18686 default).
18687 @item o32
18688 @item o64
18689 @item n32
18690 @item n64
18691 @item eabi32
18692 @item eabi64
18693 @item auto
18694 @end table
18695
18696 @item show mips abi
18697 @kindex show mips abi
18698 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
18699
18700 @item set mipsfpu
18701 @itemx show mipsfpu
18702 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
18703
18704 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
18705 @kindex set mips mask-address
18706 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
18707 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
18708 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
18709 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
18710 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
18711
18712 @item show mips mask-address
18713 @kindex show mips mask-address
18714 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
18715 not.
18716
18717 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18718 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18719 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18720 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18721 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18722 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18723
18724 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18725 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18726 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18727
18728 @item set debug mips
18729 @kindex set debug mips
18730 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18731 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18732
18733 @item show debug mips
18734 @kindex show debug mips
18735 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18736 @end table
18737
18738
18739 @node HPPA
18740 @subsection HPPA
18741 @cindex HPPA support
18742
18743 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18744 following special commands:
18745
18746 @table @code
18747 @item set debug hppa
18748 @kindex set debug hppa
18749 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18750 messages are to be displayed.
18751
18752 @item show debug hppa
18753 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18754
18755 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18756 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18757 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18758 given @var{address}.
18759
18760 @end table
18761
18762
18763 @node SPU
18764 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18765 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18766 @cindex SPU
18767
18768 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18769 it provides the following special commands:
18770
18771 @table @code
18772 @item info spu event
18773 @kindex info spu
18774 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18775 and pending event status.
18776
18777 @item info spu signal
18778 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18779 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18780 notification channels.
18781
18782 @item info spu mailbox
18783 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18784 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18785 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18786
18787 @item info spu dma
18788 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18789 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18790 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18791
18792 @item info spu proxydma
18793 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18794 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18795 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18796
18797 @end table
18798
18799 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18800 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18801 special commands:
18802
18803 @table @code
18804 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18805 @kindex set spu
18806 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18807 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18808 function. The default is @code{off}.
18809
18810 @item show spu stop-on-load
18811 @kindex show spu
18812 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18813
18814 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18815 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18816 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18817 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18818 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18819 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18820
18821 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
18822 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18823
18824 @end table
18825
18826 @node PowerPC
18827 @subsection PowerPC
18828 @cindex PowerPC architecture
18829
18830 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18831 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18832 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18833 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18834 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18835
18836 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18837 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18838 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18839
18840 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18841 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18842
18843
18844 @node Controlling GDB
18845 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18846
18847 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18848 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18849 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18850 described here.
18851
18852 @menu
18853 * Prompt:: Prompt
18854 * Editing:: Command editing
18855 * Command History:: Command history
18856 * Screen Size:: Screen size
18857 * Numbers:: Numbers
18858 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18859 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18860 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18861 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18862 @end menu
18863
18864 @node Prompt
18865 @section Prompt
18866
18867 @cindex prompt
18868
18869 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18870 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18871 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18872 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18873 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18874 which one you are talking to.
18875
18876 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18877 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18878 or a prompt that does not.
18879
18880 @table @code
18881 @kindex set prompt
18882 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18883 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18884
18885 @kindex show prompt
18886 @item show prompt
18887 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18888 @end table
18889
18890 @node Editing
18891 @section Command Editing
18892 @cindex readline
18893 @cindex command line editing
18894
18895 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18896 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18897 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18898 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18899 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18900 debugging sessions.
18901
18902 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18903 command @code{set}.
18904
18905 @table @code
18906 @kindex set editing
18907 @cindex editing
18908 @item set editing
18909 @itemx set editing on
18910 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18911
18912 @item set editing off
18913 Disable command line editing.
18914
18915 @kindex show editing
18916 @item show editing
18917 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18918 @end table
18919
18920 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18921 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18922 encouraged to read that chapter.
18923
18924 @node Command History
18925 @section Command History
18926 @cindex command history
18927
18928 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18929 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18930 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18931 history facility.
18932
18933 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18934 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18935 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18936
18937 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18938 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18939 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18940 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18941 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18942 pressed on a line by itself.
18943
18944 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18945 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18946 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18947 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18948
18949 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18950 history.
18951
18952 @table @code
18953 @cindex history substitution
18954 @cindex history file
18955 @kindex set history filename
18956 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18957 @item set history filename @var{fname}
18958 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18959 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18960 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18961 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18962 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18963 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18964 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18965 is not set.
18966
18967 @cindex save command history
18968 @kindex set history save
18969 @item set history save
18970 @itemx set history save on
18971 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18972 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18973
18974 @item set history save off
18975 Stop recording command history in a file.
18976
18977 @cindex history size
18978 @kindex set history size
18979 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18980 @item set history size @var{size}
18981 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18982 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18983 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18984 @end table
18985
18986 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18987 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18988
18989 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18990 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18991 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18992 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18993 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18994 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18995 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18996 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18997
18998 The commands to control history expansion are:
18999
19000 @table @code
19001 @item set history expansion on
19002 @itemx set history expansion
19003 @kindex set history expansion
19004 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19005
19006 @item set history expansion off
19007 Disable history expansion.
19008
19009 @c @group
19010 @kindex show history
19011 @item show history
19012 @itemx show history filename
19013 @itemx show history save
19014 @itemx show history size
19015 @itemx show history expansion
19016 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19017 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19018 @c @end group
19019 @end table
19020
19021 @table @code
19022 @kindex show commands
19023 @cindex show last commands
19024 @cindex display command history
19025 @item show commands
19026 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19027
19028 @item show commands @var{n}
19029 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19030
19031 @item show commands +
19032 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19033 @end table
19034
19035 @node Screen Size
19036 @section Screen Size
19037 @cindex size of screen
19038 @cindex pauses in output
19039
19040 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19041 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19042 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19043 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19044 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19045 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19046 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19047 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19048
19049 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19050 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19051 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19052 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19053 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19054 width} commands:
19055
19056 @table @code
19057 @kindex set height
19058 @kindex set width
19059 @kindex show width
19060 @kindex show height
19061 @item set height @var{lpp}
19062 @itemx show height
19063 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19064 @itemx show width
19065 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19066 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19067 commands display the current settings.
19068
19069 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19070 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19071 file or to an editor buffer.
19072
19073 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19074 from wrapping its output.
19075
19076 @item set pagination on
19077 @itemx set pagination off
19078 @kindex set pagination
19079 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19080 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19081 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19082 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19083
19084 @item show pagination
19085 @kindex show pagination
19086 Show the current pagination mode.
19087 @end table
19088
19089 @node Numbers
19090 @section Numbers
19091 @cindex number representation
19092 @cindex entering numbers
19093
19094 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19095 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19096 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19097 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19098 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19099 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19100 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19101 both input and output with the commands described below.
19102
19103 @table @code
19104 @kindex set input-radix
19105 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19106 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19107 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19108 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19109 example, any of
19110
19111 @smallexample
19112 set input-radix 012
19113 set input-radix 10.
19114 set input-radix 0xa
19115 @end smallexample
19116
19117 @noindent
19118 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19119 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19120 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19121 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19122 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19123 change the radix.
19124
19125 @kindex set output-radix
19126 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19127 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19128 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19129 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19130
19131 @kindex show input-radix
19132 @item show input-radix
19133 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19134
19135 @kindex show output-radix
19136 @item show output-radix
19137 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19138
19139 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19140 @itemx show radix
19141 @kindex set radix
19142 @kindex show radix
19143 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19144 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19145 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19146 default value of 10.
19147
19148 @end table
19149
19150 @node ABI
19151 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19152
19153 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19154 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19155 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19156 current ABI.
19157
19158 @cindex OS ABI
19159 @kindex set osabi
19160 @kindex show osabi
19161
19162 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19163 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19164 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19165 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19166 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19167 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19168 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19169 platform provides.
19170
19171 @table @code
19172 @item show osabi
19173 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19174
19175 @item set osabi
19176 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19177
19178 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19179 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19180 @end table
19181
19182 @cindex float promotion
19183
19184 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19185 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19186 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19187 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19188 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19189 @code{double} and then passed.
19190
19191 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19192 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19193 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19194
19195 @table @code
19196 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19197 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19198 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19199 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19200 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19201
19202 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19203 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19204 functions.
19205
19206 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19207 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19208 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19209 @end table
19210
19211 @kindex set cp-abi
19212 @kindex show cp-abi
19213 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19214 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19215 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19216 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19217 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19218 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19219 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19220 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19221 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19222 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19223 ``auto''.
19224
19225 @table @code
19226 @item show cp-abi
19227 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19228
19229 @item set cp-abi
19230 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19231
19232 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19233 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19234 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19235 @end table
19236
19237 @node Messages/Warnings
19238 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19239
19240 @cindex verbose operation
19241 @cindex optional warnings
19242 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19243 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19244 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19245 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19246
19247 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19248 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19249 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19250
19251 @table @code
19252 @kindex set verbose
19253 @item set verbose on
19254 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19255
19256 @item set verbose off
19257 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19258
19259 @kindex show verbose
19260 @item show verbose
19261 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19262 @end table
19263
19264 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19265 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19266 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19267 Symbol Files}).
19268
19269 @table @code
19270
19271 @kindex set complaints
19272 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19273 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19274 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19275 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19276 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19277
19278 @kindex show complaints
19279 @item show complaints
19280 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19281
19282 @end table
19283
19284 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19285 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19286 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19287 you try to run a program which is already running:
19288
19289 @smallexample
19290 (@value{GDBP}) run
19291 The program being debugged has been started already.
19292 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19293 @end smallexample
19294
19295 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19296 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19297
19298 @table @code
19299
19300 @kindex set confirm
19301 @cindex flinching
19302 @cindex confirmation
19303 @cindex stupid questions
19304 @item set confirm off
19305 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19306 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19307 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19308
19309 @item set confirm on
19310 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19311
19312 @kindex show confirm
19313 @item show confirm
19314 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19315
19316 @end table
19317
19318 @cindex command tracing
19319 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19320 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19321 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19322 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19323
19324 @table @code
19325 @kindex set trace-commands
19326 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19327 @item set trace-commands on
19328 Enable command tracing.
19329 @item set trace-commands off
19330 Disable command tracing.
19331 @item show trace-commands
19332 Display the current state of command tracing.
19333 @end table
19334
19335 @node Debugging Output
19336 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19337 @cindex optional debugging messages
19338
19339 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19340 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19341 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19342 section documents those commands.
19343
19344 @table @code
19345 @kindex set exec-done-display
19346 @item set exec-done-display
19347 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19348 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19349 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19350 @kindex show exec-done-display
19351 @item show exec-done-display
19352 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19353 notification.
19354 @kindex set debug
19355 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
19356 @cindex architecture debugging info
19357 @item set debug arch
19358 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19359 @kindex show debug
19360 @item show debug arch
19361 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19362 @item set debug aix-thread
19363 @cindex AIX threads
19364 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19365 module.
19366 @item show debug aix-thread
19367 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19368 @item set debug dwarf2-die
19369 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19370 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19371 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19372 A value of zero turns off the display.
19373 @item show debug dwarf2-die
19374 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19375 @item set debug displaced
19376 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19377 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19378 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19379 @item show debug displaced
19380 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19381 related to displaced stepping.
19382 @item set debug event
19383 @cindex event debugging info
19384 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19385 default is off.
19386 @item show debug event
19387 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19388 info.
19389 @item set debug expression
19390 @cindex expression debugging info
19391 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19392 expression parsing. The default is off.
19393 @item show debug expression
19394 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19395 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19396 @item set debug frame
19397 @cindex frame debugging info
19398 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19399 default is off.
19400 @item show debug frame
19401 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19402 info.
19403 @item set debug gnu-nat
19404 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19405 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19406 @item show debug gnu-nat
19407 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19408 @item set debug infrun
19409 @cindex inferior debugging info
19410 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19411 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19412 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19413 @item show debug infrun
19414 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19415 @item set debug lin-lwp
19416 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19417 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19418 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19419 @item show debug lin-lwp
19420 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19421 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19422 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19423 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19424 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19425 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19426 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19427 @item set debug observer
19428 @cindex observer debugging info
19429 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19430 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19431 @item show debug observer
19432 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19433 @item set debug overload
19434 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19435 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19436 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19437 is off.
19438 @item show debug overload
19439 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19440 debugging info.
19441 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
19442 @cindex debug expression parser
19443 @item set debug parser
19444 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
19445 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
19446 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
19447 details. The default is off.
19448 @item show debug parser
19449 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
19450 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
19451 @cindex serial connections, debugging
19452 @cindex debug remote protocol
19453 @cindex remote protocol debugging
19454 @cindex display remote packets
19455 @item set debug remote
19456 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
19457 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
19458 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
19459 @item show debug remote
19460 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19461 @item set debug serial
19462 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19463 default is off.
19464 @item show debug serial
19465 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19466 info.
19467 @item set debug solib-frv
19468 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19469 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19470 @item show debug solib-frv
19471 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19472 messages.
19473 @item set debug target
19474 @cindex target debugging info
19475 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19476 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19477 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19478 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19479 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19480 @item show debug target
19481 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19482 info.
19483 @item set debug timestamp
19484 @cindex timestampping debugging info
19485 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19486 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19487 message.
19488 @item show debug timestamp
19489 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19490 debugging info.
19491 @item set debugvarobj
19492 @cindex variable object debugging info
19493 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19494 info. The default is off.
19495 @item show debugvarobj
19496 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19497 debugging info.
19498 @item set debug xml
19499 @cindex XML parser debugging
19500 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19501 @item show debug xml
19502 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
19503 @end table
19504
19505 @node Other Misc Settings
19506 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
19507 @cindex miscellaneous settings
19508
19509 @table @code
19510 @kindex set interactive-mode
19511 @item set interactive-mode
19512 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
19513 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
19514 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
19515 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
19516
19517 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
19518 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
19519 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
19520 inside a cygwin window.
19521
19522 @kindex show interactive-mode
19523 @item show interactive-mode
19524 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
19525 @end table
19526
19527 @node Extending GDB
19528 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
19529 @cindex extending GDB
19530
19531 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
19532 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
19533 Python scripting language.
19534
19535 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
19536 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
19537 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
19538 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
19539 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19540 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
19541
19542 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
19543 setting:
19544
19545 @table @code
19546 @kindex set script-extension
19547 @kindex show script-extension
19548 @item set script-extension off
19549 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19550
19551 @item set script-extension soft
19552 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19553 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
19554 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
19555 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
19556
19557 @item set script-extension strict
19558 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19559 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
19560 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
19561
19562 @item show script-extension
19563 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
19564
19565 @end table
19566
19567 @menu
19568 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
19569 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19570 @end menu
19571
19572 @node Sequences
19573 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
19574
19575 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
19576 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
19577 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
19578 files.
19579
19580 @menu
19581 * Define:: How to define your own commands
19582 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
19583 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
19584 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
19585 @end menu
19586
19587 @node Define
19588 @subsection User-defined Commands
19589
19590 @cindex user-defined command
19591 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
19592 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
19593 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
19594 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
19595 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
19596 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
19597
19598 @smallexample
19599 define adder
19600 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19601 end
19602 @end smallexample
19603
19604 @noindent
19605 To execute the command use:
19606
19607 @smallexample
19608 adder 1 2 3
19609 @end smallexample
19610
19611 @noindent
19612 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
19613 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
19614 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
19615 functions calls.
19616
19617 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
19618 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
19619 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
19620 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
19621
19622 @smallexample
19623 define adder
19624 if $argc == 2
19625 print $arg0 + $arg1
19626 end
19627 if $argc == 3
19628 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19629 end
19630 end
19631 @end smallexample
19632
19633 @table @code
19634
19635 @kindex define
19636 @item define @var{commandname}
19637 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
19638 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
19639 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
19640 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
19641 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
19642 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
19643
19644 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
19645 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
19646 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19647
19648 @kindex document
19649 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
19650 @item document @var{commandname}
19651 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
19652 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
19653 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
19654 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
19655 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
19656 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
19657
19658 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
19659 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
19660 does not change the documentation.
19661
19662 @kindex dont-repeat
19663 @cindex don't repeat command
19664 @item dont-repeat
19665 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
19666 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
19667 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
19668
19669 @kindex help user-defined
19670 @item help user-defined
19671 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
19672 (if any) for each.
19673
19674 @kindex show user
19675 @item show user
19676 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
19677 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
19678 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
19679 definitions for all user-defined commands.
19680
19681 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
19682 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
19683 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
19684 @item show max-user-call-depth
19685 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
19686 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
19687 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
19688 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
19689 @end table
19690
19691 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
19692 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
19693
19694 When user-defined commands are executed, the
19695 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
19696 stops execution of the user-defined command.
19697
19698 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
19699 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
19700 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
19701 messages when used in a user-defined command.
19702
19703 @node Hooks
19704 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
19705 @cindex command hooks
19706 @cindex hooks, for commands
19707 @cindex hooks, pre-command
19708
19709 @kindex hook
19710 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
19711 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
19712 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
19713 before that command.
19714
19715 @cindex hooks, post-command
19716 @kindex hookpost
19717 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
19718 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
19719 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
19720 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
19721 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
19722
19723 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
19724 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
19725
19726 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
19727 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
19728
19729 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
19730 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
19731 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
19732 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
19733 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
19734
19735 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
19736 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
19737 you could define:
19738
19739 @smallexample
19740 define hook-stop
19741 handle SIGALRM nopass
19742 end
19743
19744 define hook-run
19745 handle SIGALRM pass
19746 end
19747
19748 define hook-continue
19749 handle SIGALRM pass
19750 end
19751 @end smallexample
19752
19753 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
19754 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
19755 you could define:
19756
19757 @smallexample
19758 define hook-echo
19759 echo <<<---
19760 end
19761
19762 define hookpost-echo
19763 echo --->>>\n
19764 end
19765
19766 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19767 <<<---Hello World--->>>
19768 (@value{GDBP})
19769
19770 @end smallexample
19771
19772 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19773 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19774 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19775 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19776 @c or not?
19777 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19778 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19779 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19780
19781 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19782 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19783 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19784
19785 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19786 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19787
19788 @node Command Files
19789 @subsection Command Files
19790
19791 @cindex command files
19792 @cindex scripting commands
19793 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19794 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19795 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19796 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19797 terminal.
19798
19799 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19800 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
19801 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
19802 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
19803 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
19804
19805 @table @code
19806 @kindex source
19807 @cindex execute commands from a file
19808 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
19809 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19810 @end table
19811
19812 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19813 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19814 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19815 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19816 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19817
19818 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
19819 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
19820 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
19821 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
19822 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
19823 is not relevant to scripts.
19824
19825 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
19826 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
19827 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
19828 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
19829 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
19830 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
19831 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
19832 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
19833 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
19834 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
19835 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
19836 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
19837 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
19838 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
19839
19840 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19841 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19842 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19843
19844 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19845 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19846 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19847 when called from command files.
19848
19849 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19850 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19851 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19852 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19853 the next command.
19854
19855 @smallexample
19856 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19857 @end smallexample
19858
19859 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19860 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19861 would be directed to @file{log}.
19862
19863 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19864 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19865 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19866 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19867 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19868 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19869 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19870 conditionally, etc.
19871
19872 @table @code
19873 @kindex if
19874 @kindex else
19875 @item if
19876 @itemx else
19877 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19878 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19879 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19880 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19881 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19882 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19883 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19884
19885 @kindex while
19886 @item while
19887 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19888 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19889 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19890 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19891 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19892 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19893
19894 @kindex loop_break
19895 @item loop_break
19896 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19897 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19898 line.
19899
19900 @kindex loop_continue
19901 @item loop_continue
19902 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19903 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19904 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19905 the controlling expression.
19906
19907 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19908 @item end
19909 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19910 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19911 @end table
19912
19913
19914 @node Output
19915 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19916
19917 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19918 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19919 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19920 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19921 want.
19922
19923 @table @code
19924 @kindex echo
19925 @item echo @var{text}
19926 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19927 @c because it is not in ANSI.
19928 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19929 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19930 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19931 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19932 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19933 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19934 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19935 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19936 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19937
19938 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19939 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19940
19941 @smallexample
19942 echo This is some text\n\
19943 which is continued\n\
19944 onto several lines.\n
19945 @end smallexample
19946
19947 produces the same output as
19948
19949 @smallexample
19950 echo This is some text\n
19951 echo which is continued\n
19952 echo onto several lines.\n
19953 @end smallexample
19954
19955 @kindex output
19956 @item output @var{expression}
19957 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19958 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19959 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19960 on expressions.
19961
19962 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19963 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19964 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19965 Formats}, for more information.
19966
19967 @kindex printf
19968 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19969 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19970 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19971 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19972 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19973 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19974 executing the code below:
19975
19976 @smallexample
19977 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19978 @end smallexample
19979
19980 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19981 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19982 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19983 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19984 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19985 printed.
19986
19987 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19988
19989 @smallexample
19990 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19991 @end smallexample
19992
19993 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19994 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19995 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19996
19997 @itemize @bullet
19998 @item
19999 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20000
20001 @item
20002 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20003 width.
20004
20005 @item
20006 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20007 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20008
20009 @item
20010 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20011 supported.
20012
20013 @item
20014 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20015
20016 @item
20017 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20018 @end itemize
20019
20020 @noindent
20021 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20022 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20023 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20024 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20025
20026 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20027 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20028 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20029 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20030 supported.
20031
20032 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20033 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20034 together with a floating point specifier.
20035 letters:
20036
20037 @itemize @bullet
20038 @item
20039 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20040
20041 @item
20042 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20043
20044 @item
20045 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20046 @end itemize
20047
20048 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20049 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20050 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20051
20052 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20053 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20054
20055 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20056 @smallexample
20057 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20058 @end smallexample
20059
20060 @end table
20061
20062 @node Python
20063 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20064 @cindex python scripting
20065 @cindex scripting with python
20066
20067 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20068 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20069 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20070
20071 @menu
20072 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20073 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20074 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20075 @end menu
20076
20077 @node Python Commands
20078 @subsection Python Commands
20079 @cindex python commands
20080 @cindex commands to access python
20081
20082 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20083 and one related setting:
20084
20085 @table @code
20086 @kindex python
20087 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20088 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20089
20090 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20091 argument as a Python command. For example:
20092
20093 @smallexample
20094 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20095 23
20096 @end smallexample
20097
20098 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20099 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20100 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20101 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20102 containing @code{end}. For example:
20103
20104 @smallexample
20105 (@value{GDBP}) python
20106 Type python script
20107 End with a line saying just "end".
20108 >print 23
20109 >end
20110 23
20111 @end smallexample
20112
20113 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20114 @item maint set python print-stack
20115 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20116 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20117 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20118 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20119 disabled.
20120 @end table
20121
20122 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20123 interpreter:
20124
20125 @table @code
20126 @item source @file{script-name}
20127 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20128 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20129 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20130
20131 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20132 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20133 and thus is always available.
20134 @end table
20135
20136 @node Python API
20137 @subsection Python API
20138 @cindex python api
20139 @cindex programming in python
20140
20141 @cindex python stdout
20142 @cindex python pagination
20143 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20144 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20145 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20146 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20147 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20148
20149 @menu
20150 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20151 * Exception Handling::
20152 * Values From Inferior::
20153 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20154 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20155 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20156 * Disabling Pretty-Printers:: Disabling broken printers.
20157 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20158 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20159 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20160 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20161 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20162 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20163 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20164 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20165 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20166 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20167 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20168 @end menu
20169
20170 @node Basic Python
20171 @subsubsection Basic Python
20172
20173 @cindex python functions
20174 @cindex python module
20175 @cindex gdb module
20176 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20177 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20178 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20179 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20180
20181 @findex gdb.execute
20182 @defun execute command [from_tty]
20183 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20184 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20185 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20186 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
20187
20188 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20189 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20190 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20191 @end defun
20192
20193 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20194 @defun breakpoints
20195 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20196 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20197 @end defun
20198
20199 @findex gdb.parameter
20200 @defun parameter parameter
20201 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20202 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20203 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20204 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20205
20206 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20207 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
20208 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
20209 @end defun
20210
20211 @findex gdb.history
20212 @defun history number
20213 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20214 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20215 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20216 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20217 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20218 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20219 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
20220 raised.
20221
20222 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20223 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20224 @end defun
20225
20226 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20227 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20228 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20229 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20230 @var{expression} must be a string.
20231
20232 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20233 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20234 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20235 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20236 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20237 @end defun
20238
20239 @findex gdb.write
20240 @defun write string
20241 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20242 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20243 call this function.
20244 @end defun
20245
20246 @findex gdb.flush
20247 @defun flush
20248 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20249 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20250 function.
20251 @end defun
20252
20253 @findex gdb.target_charset
20254 @defun target_charset
20255 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20256 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20257 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20258 @end defun
20259
20260 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20261 @defun target_wide_charset
20262 Return the name of the current target wide character set
20263 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20264 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20265 never returned.
20266 @end defun
20267
20268 @node Exception Handling
20269 @subsubsection Exception Handling
20270 @cindex python exceptions
20271 @cindex exceptions, python
20272
20273 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20274 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20275 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20276 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20277 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20278 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20279 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20280
20281 @smallexample
20282 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20283 Traceback (most recent call last):
20284 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20285 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20286 @end smallexample
20287
20288 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
20289 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
20290 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20291 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
20292 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
20293 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
20294 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
20295 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
20296 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20297 traceback.
20298
20299 @findex gdb.GdbError
20300 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
20301 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
20302 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
20303 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
20304 to handle this case. Example:
20305
20306 @smallexample
20307 (gdb) python
20308 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20309 > """Greet the whole world."""
20310 > def __init__ (self):
20311 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20312 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
20313 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
20314 > if len (argv) != 0:
20315 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
20316 > print "Hello, World!"
20317 >HelloWorld ()
20318 >end
20319 (gdb) hello-world 42
20320 hello-world takes no arguments
20321 @end smallexample
20322
20323 @node Values From Inferior
20324 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
20325 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
20326 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
20327
20328 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
20329 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
20330 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
20331 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
20332 fetching values when necessary.
20333
20334 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
20335 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
20336 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
20337
20338 @smallexample
20339 bar = some_val + 2
20340 @end smallexample
20341
20342 @noindent
20343 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
20344 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
20345
20346 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
20347 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
20348 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
20349 can access its @code{foo} element with:
20350
20351 @smallexample
20352 bar = some_val['foo']
20353 @end smallexample
20354
20355 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
20356
20357 The following attributes are provided:
20358
20359 @table @code
20360 @defivar Value address
20361 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
20362 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
20363 this attribute holds @code{None}.
20364 @end defivar
20365
20366 @cindex optimized out value in Python
20367 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
20368 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
20369 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
20370 @end defivar
20371
20372 @defivar Value type
20373 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
20374 @code{gdb.Type} object.
20375 @end defivar
20376 @end table
20377
20378 The following methods are provided:
20379
20380 @table @code
20381 @defmethod Value cast type
20382 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
20383 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
20384 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
20385 reason, this method throws an exception.
20386 @end defmethod
20387
20388 @defmethod Value dereference
20389 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
20390 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
20391 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
20392
20393 @smallexample
20394 int *foo;
20395 @end smallexample
20396
20397 @noindent
20398 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
20399 @code{foo} points to like this:
20400
20401 @smallexample
20402 bar = foo.dereference ()
20403 @end smallexample
20404
20405 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
20406 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
20407 @end defmethod
20408
20409 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20410 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20411 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
20412 throw an exception.
20413
20414 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
20415 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
20416 language.
20417
20418 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
20419 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
20420 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
20421 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
20422 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
20423
20424 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20425 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
20426 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
20427 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
20428 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
20429 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
20430 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
20431 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
20432 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
20433
20434 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
20435 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
20436
20437 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20438 fetched and converted to the given length.
20439 @end defmethod
20440
20441 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20442 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20443 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
20444 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
20445
20446 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20447 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
20448 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
20449 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
20450 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
20451
20452 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
20453 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
20454 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
20455 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
20456 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
20457 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
20458
20459 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20460 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
20461 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
20462 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
20463 @end defmethod
20464 @end table
20465
20466 @node Types In Python
20467 @subsubsection Types In Python
20468 @cindex types in Python
20469 @cindex Python, working with types
20470
20471 @tindex gdb.Type
20472 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
20473 @code{gdb.Type}.
20474
20475 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
20476 module:
20477
20478 @findex gdb.lookup_type
20479 @defun lookup_type name [block]
20480 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
20481 type to look up. It must be a string.
20482
20483 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20484 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20485
20486 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
20487 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
20488 @end defun
20489
20490 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
20491
20492 @table @code
20493 @defivar Type code
20494 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
20495 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
20496 @end defivar
20497
20498 @defivar Type sizeof
20499 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
20500 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
20501 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
20502 @end defivar
20503
20504 @defivar Type tag
20505 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
20506 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
20507 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
20508 @code{None} is returned.
20509 @end defivar
20510 @end table
20511
20512 The following methods are provided:
20513
20514 @table @code
20515 @defmethod Type fields
20516 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
20517 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
20518 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
20519 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
20520 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
20521 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
20522
20523 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
20524 @table @code
20525 @item bitpos
20526 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
20527 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
20528 position of the field.
20529
20530 @item name
20531 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
20532
20533 @item artificial
20534 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
20535 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
20536 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
20537
20538 @item is_base_class
20539 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
20540 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
20541 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
20542 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
20543
20544 @item bitsize
20545 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
20546 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
20547 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
20548
20549 @item type
20550 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
20551 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
20552 @end table
20553 @end defmethod
20554
20555 @defmethod Type const
20556 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20557 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
20558 @end defmethod
20559
20560 @defmethod Type volatile
20561 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20562 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
20563 @end defmethod
20564
20565 @defmethod Type unqualified
20566 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
20567 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
20568 @code{volatile}.
20569 @end defmethod
20570
20571 @defmethod Type range
20572 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
20573 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
20574 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
20575 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
20576 @end defmethod
20577
20578 @defmethod Type reference
20579 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
20580 type.
20581 @end defmethod
20582
20583 @defmethod Type pointer
20584 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
20585 type.
20586 @end defmethod
20587
20588 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
20589 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
20590 after removing all layers of typedefs.
20591 @end defmethod
20592
20593 @defmethod Type target
20594 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
20595 of this type.
20596
20597 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
20598 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
20599 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
20600 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
20601 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
20602 target type is the aliased type.
20603
20604 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
20605 exception.
20606 @end defmethod
20607
20608 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
20609 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
20610 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
20611 @var{n}th template argument.
20612
20613 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
20614 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
20615
20616 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20617 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20618 @end defmethod
20619 @end table
20620
20621
20622 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
20623 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
20624 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20625
20626 @table @code
20627 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
20628 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
20629 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
20630 The type is a pointer.
20631
20632 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20633 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20634 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20635 The type is an array.
20636
20637 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20638 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20639 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20640 The type is a structure.
20641
20642 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
20643 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
20644 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
20645 The type is a union.
20646
20647 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20648 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20649 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20650 The type is an enum.
20651
20652 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20653 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20654 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20655 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
20656
20657 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20658 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20659 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20660 The type is a function.
20661
20662 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
20663 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
20664 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
20665 The type is an integer type.
20666
20667 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
20668 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
20669 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
20670 A floating point type.
20671
20672 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
20673 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
20674 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
20675 The special type @code{void}.
20676
20677 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
20678 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
20679 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
20680 A Pascal set type.
20681
20682 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20683 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20684 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20685 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
20686
20687 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
20688 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
20689 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
20690 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
20691 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
20692
20693 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20694 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20695 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20696 A string of bits.
20697
20698 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20699 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20700 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20701 An unknown or erroneous type.
20702
20703 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20704 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20705 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20706 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
20707
20708 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20709 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20710 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20711 A pointer-to-member-function.
20712
20713 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20714 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20715 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20716 A pointer-to-member.
20717
20718 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
20719 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
20720 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
20721 A reference type.
20722
20723 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20724 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20725 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20726 A character type.
20727
20728 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20729 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20730 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20731 A boolean type.
20732
20733 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20734 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20735 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20736 A complex float type.
20737
20738 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20739 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20740 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20741 A typedef to some other type.
20742
20743 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20744 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20745 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20746 A C@t{++} namespace.
20747
20748 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20749 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20750 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20751 A decimal floating point type.
20752
20753 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20754 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20755 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20756 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
20757 convenience functions.
20758 @end table
20759
20760 @node Pretty Printing API
20761 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
20762
20763 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
20764
20765 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
20766 specific interface, defined here.
20767
20768 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
20769 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
20770 children of the pretty-printer's value.
20771
20772 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
20773 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
20774 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
20775 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
20776 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
20777
20778 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
20779 as though the value has no children.
20780 @end defop
20781
20782 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
20783 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
20784 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
20785 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
20786 printed.
20787
20788 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
20789 string.
20790
20791 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
20792
20793 @table @samp
20794 @item array
20795 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
20796 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
20797 @code{set print array}.
20798
20799 @item map
20800 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
20801 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
20802 values.
20803
20804 @item string
20805 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
20806 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
20807 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
20808 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
20809 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
20810 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
20811 @end table
20812 @end defop
20813
20814 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
20815 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
20816 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20817
20818 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20819 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20820 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20821 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20822 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20823 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20824 the result of @code{children}.
20825
20826 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20827
20828 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20829 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20830 another pretty-printer.
20831
20832 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20833 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20834 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20835 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20836 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20837
20838 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
20839 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
20840
20841 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20842 @end defop
20843
20844 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20845 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20846
20847 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20848 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
20849 as a pretty-printer.
20850 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
20851 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20852 attribute.
20853
20854 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20855 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20856 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
20857 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20858 @code{None}.
20859
20860 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20861 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
20862 each enabled function (@pxref{Disabling Pretty-Printers})
20863 in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives
20864 a pretty-printer object.
20865 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
20866 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
20867 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
20868 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20869 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
20870 object is returned.
20871
20872 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20873 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20874 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20875 object is returned.
20876
20877 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20878 written:
20879
20880 @smallexample
20881 class StdStringPrinter:
20882 "Print a std::string"
20883
20884 def __init__ (self, val):
20885 self.val = val
20886
20887 def to_string (self):
20888 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20889
20890 def display_hint (self):
20891 return 'string'
20892 @end smallexample
20893
20894 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20895 example above might be written.
20896
20897 @smallexample
20898 def str_lookup_function (val):
20899
20900 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20901 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20902 if lookup_tag == None:
20903 return None
20904 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20905 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20906
20907 return None
20908 @end smallexample
20909
20910 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20911 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20912 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20913 returns @code{None}.
20914
20915 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20916 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20917 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20918 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20919 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20920 different names.
20921
20922 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20923 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20924 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20925 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20926 the current objfile.
20927
20928 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20929 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20930 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20931 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20932 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20933 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20934 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20935 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20936 inferior.
20937
20938 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
20939 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20940
20941 @smallexample
20942 def register_printers (objfile):
20943 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20944 @end smallexample
20945
20946 @noindent
20947 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20948
20949 @smallexample
20950 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20951 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20952 @end smallexample
20953
20954 @node Disabling Pretty-Printers
20955 @subsubsection Disabling Pretty-Printers
20956 @cindex disabling pretty-printers
20957
20958 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
20959 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
20960 the pretty-printer is out of date.
20961
20962 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
20963 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
20964 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
20965 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
20966 with a broken printer.
20967
20968 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
20969 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
20970 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
20971 the printer is enabled.
20972
20973 @node Commands In Python
20974 @subsubsection Commands In Python
20975
20976 @cindex commands in python
20977 @cindex python commands
20978 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20979 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20980 class, most commonly using a subclass.
20981
20982 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20983 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20984 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20985 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20986
20987 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20988 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20989 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20990 an exception is raised.
20991
20992 There is no support for multi-line commands.
20993
20994 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20995 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20996 new command in the help system.
20997
20998 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20999 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
21000 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
21001 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
21002 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
21003 error will occur when completion is attempted.
21004
21005 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
21006 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
21007 registered.
21008
21009 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
21010 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
21011 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
21012 not documented.'' is used.
21013 @end defmethod
21014
21015 @cindex don't repeat Python command
21016 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
21017 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
21018 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
21019 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
21020 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
21021 @end defmethod
21022
21023 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
21024 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
21025
21026 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
21027 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
21028
21029 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
21030 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
21031 that the command came from elsewhere.
21032
21033 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
21034 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
21035
21036 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
21037 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
21038 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
21039 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
21040 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
21041 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
21042 Example:
21043
21044 @smallexample
21045 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
21046 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
21047 @end smallexample
21048
21049 @end defmethod
21050
21051 @cindex completion of Python commands
21052 @defmethod Command complete text word
21053 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
21054 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
21055 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
21056 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
21057 complete}).
21058
21059 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
21060 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
21061 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
21062 using a word-breaking heuristic.
21063
21064 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
21065 @itemize @bullet
21066 @item
21067 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
21068 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
21069 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
21070 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
21071 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
21072 sequence are ignored.
21073
21074 @item
21075 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
21076 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
21077 function is invoked, and its result is used.
21078
21079 @item
21080 All other results are treated as though there were no available
21081 completions.
21082 @end itemize
21083 @end defmethod
21084
21085 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
21086 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
21087 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
21088 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
21089 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
21090 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21091
21092 @table @code
21093 @findex COMMAND_NONE
21094 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
21095 @item COMMAND_NONE
21096 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
21097 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
21098
21099 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
21100 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
21101 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
21102 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
21103 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
21104 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21105 commands in this category.
21106
21107 @findex COMMAND_DATA
21108 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
21109 @item COMMAND_DATA
21110 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
21111 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
21112 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
21113 in this category.
21114
21115 @findex COMMAND_STACK
21116 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
21117 @item COMMAND_STACK
21118 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
21119 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
21120 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
21121 list of commands in this category.
21122
21123 @findex COMMAND_FILES
21124 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
21125 @item COMMAND_FILES
21126 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
21127 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
21128 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21129 commands in this category.
21130
21131 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
21132 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
21133 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
21134 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
21135 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
21136 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
21137 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
21138 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21139 commands in this category.
21140
21141 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
21142 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
21143 @item COMMAND_STATUS
21144 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
21145 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
21146 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
21147 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
21148
21149 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
21150 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
21151 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
21152 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
21153 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
21154 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
21155 this category.
21156
21157 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
21158 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
21159 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
21160 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
21161 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
21162 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21163 commands in this category.
21164
21165 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
21166 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
21167 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
21168 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
21169 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
21170 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
21171 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
21172 category.
21173
21174 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
21175 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
21176 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
21177 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
21178 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
21179 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21180 commands in this category.
21181 @end table
21182
21183 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
21184 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
21185 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
21186 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21187
21188 @table @code
21189 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
21190 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
21191 @item COMPLETE_NONE
21192 This constant means that no completion should be done.
21193
21194 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
21195 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
21196 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
21197 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
21198
21199 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
21200 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
21201 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
21202 This constant means that location completion should be done.
21203 @xref{Specify Location}.
21204
21205 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
21206 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
21207 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
21208 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
21209 command names.
21210
21211 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
21212 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
21213 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
21214 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
21215 as the source.
21216 @end table
21217
21218 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
21219 implemented in Python:
21220
21221 @smallexample
21222 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21223 """Greet the whole world."""
21224
21225 def __init__ (self):
21226 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21227
21228 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
21229 print "Hello, World!"
21230
21231 HelloWorld ()
21232 @end smallexample
21233
21234 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
21235 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
21236 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
21237 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
21238
21239 @node Parameters In Python
21240 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
21241
21242 @cindex parameters in python
21243 @cindex python parameters
21244 @tindex gdb.Parameter
21245 @tindex Parameter
21246 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
21247 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
21248 class.
21249
21250 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
21251 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
21252
21253 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
21254 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
21255 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
21256 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
21257 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
21258
21259 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
21260 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
21261 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
21262 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
21263
21264 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
21265 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
21266 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
21267 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
21268 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
21269 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
21270 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
21271
21272 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
21273 can be found, an exception is raised.
21274
21275 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
21276 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
21277 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
21278
21279 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
21280 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
21281 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
21282 completion.
21283
21284 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
21285 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
21286 represent the possible values for the parameter.
21287
21288 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
21289 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
21290
21291 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
21292 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
21293 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
21294 @end defmethod
21295
21296 @defivar Parameter set_doc
21297 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
21298 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
21299 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
21300 have no effect.
21301 @end defivar
21302
21303 @defivar Parameter show_doc
21304 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
21305 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
21306 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
21307 have no effect.
21308 @end defivar
21309
21310 @defivar Parameter value
21311 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
21312 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
21313 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
21314 @end defivar
21315
21316
21317 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
21318 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
21319 module:
21320
21321 @table @code
21322 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
21323 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
21324 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
21325 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
21326 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
21327
21328 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
21329 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
21330 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
21331 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
21332 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
21333 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
21334
21335 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
21336 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
21337 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
21338 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
21339 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
21340
21341 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
21342 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
21343 @item PARAM_INTEGER
21344 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
21345 to mean ``unlimited''.
21346
21347 @findex PARAM_STRING
21348 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
21349 @item PARAM_STRING
21350 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
21351 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
21352 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
21353 host charset.
21354
21355 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
21356 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
21357 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
21358 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
21359 passed through untranslated.
21360
21361 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
21362 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
21363 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
21364 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
21365
21366 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
21367 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
21368 @item PARAM_FILENAME
21369 The value is a filename. This is just like
21370 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
21371
21372 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
21373 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
21374 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
21375 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
21376 is interpreted as itself.
21377
21378 @findex PARAM_ENUM
21379 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
21380 @item PARAM_ENUM
21381 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
21382 constants provided when the parameter is created.
21383 @end table
21384
21385 @node Functions In Python
21386 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
21387
21388 @cindex writing convenience functions
21389 @cindex convenience functions in python
21390 @cindex python convenience functions
21391 @tindex gdb.Function
21392 @tindex Function
21393 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
21394 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
21395 class @code{gdb.Function}.
21396
21397 @defmethod Function __init__ name
21398 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
21399 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
21400 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
21401 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
21402 the given @var{name}.
21403
21404 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
21405 string for the new class.
21406 @end defmethod
21407
21408 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
21409 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
21410 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
21411 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
21412 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
21413 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
21414 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
21415 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
21416
21417 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
21418 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
21419 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
21420 @end defmethod
21421
21422 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
21423 be implemented in Python:
21424
21425 @smallexample
21426 class Greet (gdb.Function):
21427 """Return string to greet someone.
21428 Takes a name as argument."""
21429
21430 def __init__ (self):
21431 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
21432
21433 def invoke (self, name):
21434 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
21435
21436 Greet ()
21437 @end smallexample
21438
21439 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
21440 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
21441 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
21442 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
21443
21444 @node Progspaces In Python
21445 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
21446
21447 @cindex progspaces in python
21448 @tindex gdb.Progspace
21449 @tindex Progspace
21450 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
21451 of an address space.
21452 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
21453 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21454 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
21455 about program spaces.
21456
21457 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
21458 @code{gdb} module:
21459
21460 @findex gdb.current_progspace
21461 @defun current_progspace
21462 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
21463 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
21464 @end defun
21465
21466 @findex gdb.progspaces
21467 @defun progspaces
21468 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
21469 @end defun
21470
21471 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
21472 class.
21473
21474 @defivar Progspace filename
21475 The file name of the progspace as a string.
21476 @end defivar
21477
21478 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
21479 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
21480 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
21481 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
21482 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
21483 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
21484 information.
21485 @end defivar
21486
21487 @node Objfiles In Python
21488 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
21489
21490 @cindex objfiles in python
21491 @tindex gdb.Objfile
21492 @tindex Objfile
21493 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
21494 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
21495 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
21496 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
21497 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
21498
21499 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
21500 @code{gdb} module:
21501
21502 @findex gdb.current_objfile
21503 @defun current_objfile
21504 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
21505 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
21506 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
21507 this function returns @code{None}.
21508 @end defun
21509
21510 @findex gdb.objfiles
21511 @defun objfiles
21512 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
21513 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21514 @end defun
21515
21516 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
21517 class.
21518
21519 @defivar Objfile filename
21520 The file name of the objfile as a string.
21521 @end defivar
21522
21523 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
21524 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
21525 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
21526 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
21527 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
21528 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
21529 information.
21530 @end defivar
21531
21532 @node Frames In Python
21533 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
21534
21535 @cindex frames in python
21536 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
21537 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
21538 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
21539 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
21540 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
21541 exception.
21542
21543 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
21544 operator, like:
21545
21546 @smallexample
21547 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
21548 True
21549 @end smallexample
21550
21551 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
21552
21553 @findex gdb.selected_frame
21554 @defun selected_frame
21555 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
21556 @end defun
21557
21558 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
21559 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
21560 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
21561 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
21562 @end defun
21563
21564 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
21565
21566 @table @code
21567 @defmethod Frame is_valid
21568 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
21569 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
21570 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
21571 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
21572 @end defmethod
21573
21574 @defmethod Frame name
21575 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
21576 obtained.
21577 @end defmethod
21578
21579 @defmethod Frame type
21580 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
21581 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
21582 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
21583 @end defmethod
21584
21585 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
21586 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
21587 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
21588 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
21589 function to a string.
21590 @end defmethod
21591
21592 @defmethod Frame pc
21593 Returns the frame's resume address.
21594 @end defmethod
21595
21596 @defmethod Frame block
21597 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
21598 @end defmethod
21599
21600 @defmethod Frame function
21601 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
21602 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
21603 @end defmethod
21604
21605 @defmethod Frame older
21606 Return the frame that called this frame.
21607 @end defmethod
21608
21609 @defmethod Frame newer
21610 Return the frame called by this frame.
21611 @end defmethod
21612
21613 @defmethod Frame find_sal
21614 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
21615 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
21616 @end defmethod
21617
21618 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
21619 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
21620 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
21621 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
21622 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
21623 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
21624 @code{gdb.Block} object.
21625 @end defmethod
21626
21627 @defmethod Frame select
21628 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
21629 Stack}.
21630 @end defmethod
21631 @end table
21632
21633 @node Blocks In Python
21634 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
21635
21636 @cindex blocks in python
21637 @tindex gdb.Block
21638
21639 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
21640 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
21641 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
21642 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
21643 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
21644 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
21645 stack.
21646
21647 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21648 module:
21649
21650 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
21651 @defun block_for_pc pc
21652 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
21653 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
21654 will return @code{None}.
21655 @end defun
21656
21657 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
21658
21659 @table @code
21660 @defivar Block start
21661 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
21662 @end defivar
21663
21664 @defivar Block end
21665 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
21666 @end defivar
21667
21668 @defivar Block function
21669 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
21670 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
21671 attribute is not writable.
21672 @end defivar
21673
21674 @defivar Block superblock
21675 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
21676 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21677 @end defivar
21678 @end table
21679
21680 @node Symbols In Python
21681 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
21682
21683 @cindex symbols in python
21684 @tindex gdb.Symbol
21685
21686 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
21687 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
21688 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
21689 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
21690
21691 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21692 module:
21693
21694 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
21695 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
21696 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
21697 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
21698 arguments.
21699
21700 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
21701 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
21702 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
21703 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
21704 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
21705 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
21706 in this chapter.
21707 @end defun
21708
21709 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
21710
21711 @table @code
21712 @defivar Symbol symtab
21713 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
21714 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
21715 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
21716 @end defivar
21717
21718 @defivar Symbol name
21719 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
21720 @end defivar
21721
21722 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
21723 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
21724 This attribute is not writable.
21725 @end defivar
21726
21727 @defivar Symbol print_name
21728 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
21729 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
21730 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
21731 @end defivar
21732
21733 @defivar Symbol addr_class
21734 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
21735 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
21736 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
21737 @end defivar
21738
21739 @defivar Symbol is_argument
21740 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
21741 @end defivar
21742
21743 @defivar Symbol is_constant
21744 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
21745 @end defivar
21746
21747 @defivar Symbol is_function
21748 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
21749 @end defivar
21750
21751 @defivar Symbol is_variable
21752 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
21753 @end defivar
21754 @end table
21755
21756 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21757 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21758
21759 @table @code
21760 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21761 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21762 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21763 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
21764 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
21765 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21766 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21767 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21768 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21769 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
21770 type values.
21771 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21772 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21773 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21774 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
21775 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21776 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21777 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21778 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
21779 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21780 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21781 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21782 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
21783 contains everything minus functions and types.
21784 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21785 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21786 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
21787 This domain contains all functions.
21788 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21789 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21790 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21791 This domain contains all types.
21792 @end table
21793
21794 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21795 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21796
21797 @table @code
21798 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21799 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21800 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21801 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
21802 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21803 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21804 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21805 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21806 Value is constant int.
21807 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21808 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21809 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21810 Value is at a fixed address.
21811 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21812 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21813 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21814 Value is in a register.
21815 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21816 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21817 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21818 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
21819 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
21820 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21821 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21822 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21823 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
21824 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
21825 offset, not the value itself.
21826 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21827 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21828 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21829 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
21830 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
21831 itself.
21832 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21833 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21834 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21835 Value is a local variable.
21836 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21837 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21838 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21839 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
21840 have this class.
21841 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21842 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21843 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21844 Value is a block.
21845 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21846 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21847 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21848 Value is a byte-sequence.
21849 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21850 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21851 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21852 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
21853 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
21854 referenced.
21855 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21856 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21857 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21858 The value does not actually exist in the program.
21859 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21860 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21861 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21862 The value's address is a computed location.
21863 @end table
21864
21865 @node Symbol Tables In Python
21866 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
21867
21868 @cindex symbol tables in python
21869 @tindex gdb.Symtab
21870 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
21871
21872 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
21873 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
21874 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
21875 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
21876 @xref{Frames In Python}.
21877
21878 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
21879 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
21880
21881 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
21882
21883 @table @code
21884 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
21885 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
21886 This attribute is not writable.
21887 @end defivar
21888
21889 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
21890 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
21891 writable.
21892 @end defivar
21893
21894 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
21895 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
21896 attribute is not writable.
21897 @end defivar
21898 @end table
21899
21900 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
21901
21902 @table @code
21903 @defivar Symtab filename
21904 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
21905 @end defivar
21906
21907 @defivar Symtab objfile
21908 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21909 This attribute is not writable.
21910 @end defivar
21911 @end table
21912
21913 The following methods are provided:
21914
21915 @table @code
21916 @defmethod Symtab fullname
21917 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
21918 @end defmethod
21919 @end table
21920
21921 @node Breakpoints In Python
21922 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
21923
21924 @cindex breakpoints in python
21925 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
21926
21927 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
21928 class.
21929
21930 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]}
21931 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
21932 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
21933 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
21934 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
21935 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
21936 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
21937 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
21938 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{wp_class}
21939 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
21940 defined as @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not
21941 provided, it is assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
21942 @end defmethod
21943
21944 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
21945 @code{gdb} module:
21946
21947 @table @code
21948 @findex WP_READ
21949 @findex gdb.WP_READ
21950 @item WP_READ
21951 Read only watchpoint.
21952
21953 @findex WP_WRITE
21954 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
21955 @item WP_WRITE
21956 Write only watchpoint.
21957
21958 @findex WP_ACCESS
21959 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
21960 @item WP_ACCESS
21961 Read/Write watchpoint.
21962 @end table
21963
21964 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
21965 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
21966 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
21967 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
21968 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
21969 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
21970 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
21971 @end defmethod
21972
21973 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
21974 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
21975 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
21976 @end defivar
21977
21978 @defivar Breakpoint silent
21979 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
21980 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
21981
21982 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
21983 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
21984 @code{silent} attribute.
21985 @end defivar
21986
21987 @defivar Breakpoint thread
21988 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
21989 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
21990 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
21991 @end defivar
21992
21993 @defivar Breakpoint task
21994 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
21995 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
21996 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
21997 is writable.
21998 @end defivar
21999
22000 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
22001 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22002 This attribute is writable.
22003 @end defivar
22004
22005 @defivar Breakpoint number
22006 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
22007 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
22008 @end defivar
22009
22010 @defivar Breakpoint type
22011 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
22012 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
22013 writable.
22014 @end defivar
22015
22016 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22017 module:
22018
22019 @table @code
22020 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
22021 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
22022 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
22023 Normal code breakpoint.
22024
22025 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
22026 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
22027 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
22028 Watchpoint breakpoint.
22029
22030 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22031 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22032 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22033 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
22034
22035 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22036 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22037 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22038 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
22039
22040 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22041 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22042 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22043 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
22044 @end table
22045
22046 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
22047 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22048 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
22049 @end defivar
22050
22051 @defivar Breakpoint location
22052 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
22053 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
22054 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
22055 attribute is not writable.
22056 @end defivar
22057
22058 @defivar Breakpoint expression
22059 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
22060 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
22061 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
22062 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22063 @end defivar
22064
22065 @defivar Breakpoint condition
22066 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
22067 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
22068 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22069 @end defivar
22070
22071 @defivar Breakpoint commands
22072 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
22073 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
22074 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
22075 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22076 @end defivar
22077
22078 @node Lazy Strings In Python
22079 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
22080
22081 @cindex lazy strings in python
22082 @tindex gdb.LazyString
22083
22084 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
22085 encoded until it is needed.
22086
22087 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
22088 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
22089 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
22090 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
22091 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
22092 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
22093 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
22094 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
22095 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
22096
22097 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
22098
22099 @defmethod LazyString value
22100 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
22101 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
22102 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
22103 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
22104 @end defmethod
22105
22106 @defivar LazyString address
22107 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
22108 writable.
22109 @end defivar
22110
22111 @defivar LazyString length
22112 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
22113 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
22114 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
22115 @end defivar
22116
22117 @defivar LazyString encoding
22118 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
22119 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
22120 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
22121 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
22122 is not writable.
22123 @end defivar
22124
22125 @defivar LazyString type
22126 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
22127 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
22128 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
22129 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
22130 writable.
22131 @end defivar
22132
22133 @node Auto-loading
22134 @subsection Auto-loading
22135 @cindex auto-loading, Python
22136
22137 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
22138 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
22139 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
22140 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
22141
22142 @menu
22143 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
22144 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
22145 * Which flavor to choose?::
22146 @end menu
22147
22148 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
22149 debugging commands and scripts.
22150
22151 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
22152
22153 @table @code
22154 @kindex maint set python auto-load
22155 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
22156 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
22157
22158 @kindex maint show python auto-load
22159 @item maint show python auto-load
22160 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
22161 @end table
22162
22163 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
22164 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
22165 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
22166 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
22167
22168 @node objfile-gdb.py file
22169 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
22170 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
22171
22172 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
22173 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
22174 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
22175 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
22176 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
22177 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
22178
22179 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
22180 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
22181 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
22182 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
22183
22184 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
22185 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
22186 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
22187 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
22188 is the object file's real name, as described above.
22189
22190 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
22191 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
22192 @var{objfile} is opened.
22193 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
22194 is evaluated more than once.
22195
22196 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
22197 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
22198 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
22199
22200 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
22201 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
22202 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
22203 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
22204
22205 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
22206 current directory and then along the source search path
22207 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
22208 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
22209 directory is not relevant to scripts.
22210
22211 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
22212 for example, this GCC macro:
22213
22214 @example
22215 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remote duplicates. */
22216 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
22217 asm("\
22218 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
22219 .byte 1\n\
22220 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
22221 .popsection \n\
22222 ");
22223 @end example
22224
22225 @noindent
22226 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
22227
22228 @example
22229 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
22230 @end example
22231
22232 The script name may include directories if desired.
22233
22234 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
22235 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
22236
22237 @node Which flavor to choose?
22238 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
22239
22240 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
22241 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
22242
22243 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
22244
22245 @itemize @bullet
22246 @item
22247 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
22248
22249 @item
22250 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
22251
22252 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
22253 in the source search path.
22254 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
22255 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
22256
22257 @item
22258 Doesn't require source code additions.
22259 @end itemize
22260
22261 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
22262
22263 @itemize @bullet
22264 @item
22265 Works with static linking.
22266
22267 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
22268 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
22269 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
22270 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
22271
22272 @item
22273 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
22274
22275 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
22276 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
22277
22278 @item
22279 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
22280
22281 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
22282 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
22283 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
22284 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
22285 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
22286 top of the source tree to the source search path.
22287 @end itemize
22288
22289 @node Interpreters
22290 @chapter Command Interpreters
22291 @cindex command interpreters
22292
22293 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
22294 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
22295 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
22296
22297 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
22298 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
22299 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
22300 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
22301
22302 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
22303 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
22304 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
22305 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
22306
22307 @table @code
22308 @item console
22309 @cindex console interpreter
22310 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
22311 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
22312 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
22313
22314 @item mi
22315 @cindex mi interpreter
22316 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
22317 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
22318 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
22319 Interface}.
22320
22321 @item mi2
22322 @cindex mi2 interpreter
22323 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
22324
22325 @item mi1
22326 @cindex mi1 interpreter
22327 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
22328
22329 @end table
22330
22331 @cindex invoke another interpreter
22332 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
22333 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
22334 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
22335 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
22336 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
22337 the IDE inoperable!
22338
22339 @kindex interpreter-exec
22340 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
22341 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
22342 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
22343 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
22344
22345 @smallexample
22346 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
22347 @end smallexample
22348
22349 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
22350 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
22351
22352 @node TUI
22353 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
22354 @cindex TUI
22355 @cindex Text User Interface
22356
22357 @menu
22358 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
22359 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
22360 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
22361 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
22362 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
22363 @end menu
22364
22365 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
22366 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
22367 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
22368 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
22369 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
22370 is available.
22371
22372 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
22373 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
22374 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
22375 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
22376 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
22377 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
22378
22379 @node TUI Overview
22380 @section TUI Overview
22381
22382 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
22383
22384 @table @emph
22385 @item command
22386 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
22387 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
22388 managed using readline.
22389
22390 @item source
22391 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
22392 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
22393
22394 @item assembly
22395 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
22396
22397 @item register
22398 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
22399 when their values change.
22400 @end table
22401
22402 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
22403 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
22404 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
22405 indicates the breakpoint type:
22406
22407 @table @code
22408 @item B
22409 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
22410
22411 @item b
22412 Breakpoint which was never hit.
22413
22414 @item H
22415 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
22416
22417 @item h
22418 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
22419 @end table
22420
22421 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
22422
22423 @table @code
22424 @item +
22425 Breakpoint is enabled.
22426
22427 @item -
22428 Breakpoint is disabled.
22429 @end table
22430
22431 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
22432 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
22433 changes.
22434
22435 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
22436 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
22437 layouts:
22438
22439 @itemize @bullet
22440 @item
22441 source only,
22442
22443 @item
22444 assembly only,
22445
22446 @item
22447 source and assembly,
22448
22449 @item
22450 source and registers, or
22451
22452 @item
22453 assembly and registers.
22454 @end itemize
22455
22456 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
22457
22458 @table @emph
22459 @item target
22460 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
22461 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
22462
22463 @item process
22464 Gives the current process or thread number.
22465 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
22466
22467 @item function
22468 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
22469 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
22470 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
22471 the string @code{??} is displayed.
22472
22473 @item line
22474 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
22475 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
22476
22477 @item pc
22478 Indicates the current program counter address.
22479 @end table
22480
22481 @node TUI Keys
22482 @section TUI Key Bindings
22483 @cindex TUI key bindings
22484
22485 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
22486 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
22487 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
22488
22489 @table @kbd
22490 @kindex C-x C-a
22491 @item C-x C-a
22492 @kindex C-x a
22493 @itemx C-x a
22494 @kindex C-x A
22495 @itemx C-x A
22496 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
22497 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
22498 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
22499 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
22500 The screen is then refreshed.
22501
22502 @kindex C-x 1
22503 @item C-x 1
22504 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
22505 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
22506 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
22507
22508 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
22509
22510 @kindex C-x 2
22511 @item C-x 2
22512 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
22513 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
22514 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
22515 previous layout and the new one.
22516
22517 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
22518
22519 @kindex C-x o
22520 @item C-x o
22521 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
22522 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
22523 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
22524
22525 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
22526
22527 @kindex C-x s
22528 @item C-x s
22529 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
22530 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
22531 @end table
22532
22533 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
22534
22535 @table @asis
22536 @kindex PgUp
22537 @item @key{PgUp}
22538 Scroll the active window one page up.
22539
22540 @kindex PgDn
22541 @item @key{PgDn}
22542 Scroll the active window one page down.
22543
22544 @kindex Up
22545 @item @key{Up}
22546 Scroll the active window one line up.
22547
22548 @kindex Down
22549 @item @key{Down}
22550 Scroll the active window one line down.
22551
22552 @kindex Left
22553 @item @key{Left}
22554 Scroll the active window one column left.
22555
22556 @kindex Right
22557 @item @key{Right}
22558 Scroll the active window one column right.
22559
22560 @kindex C-L
22561 @item @kbd{C-L}
22562 Refresh the screen.
22563 @end table
22564
22565 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
22566 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
22567 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
22568 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
22569 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
22570
22571 @node TUI Single Key Mode
22572 @section TUI Single Key Mode
22573 @cindex TUI single key mode
22574
22575 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
22576 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
22577 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
22578
22579 @table @kbd
22580 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22581 @item c
22582 continue
22583
22584 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22585 @item d
22586 down
22587
22588 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22589 @item f
22590 finish
22591
22592 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22593 @item n
22594 next
22595
22596 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22597 @item q
22598 exit the SingleKey mode.
22599
22600 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22601 @item r
22602 run
22603
22604 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22605 @item s
22606 step
22607
22608 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22609 @item u
22610 up
22611
22612 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22613 @item v
22614 info locals
22615
22616 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22617 @item w
22618 where
22619 @end table
22620
22621 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22622 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
22623 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
22624 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
22625 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
22626 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
22627
22628
22629 @node TUI Commands
22630 @section TUI-specific Commands
22631 @cindex TUI commands
22632
22633 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
22634 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
22635 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
22636 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
22637
22638 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
22639 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
22640 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
22641 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
22642 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
22643
22644 @table @code
22645 @item info win
22646 @kindex info win
22647 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
22648
22649 @item layout next
22650 @kindex layout
22651 Display the next layout.
22652
22653 @item layout prev
22654 Display the previous layout.
22655
22656 @item layout src
22657 Display the source window only.
22658
22659 @item layout asm
22660 Display the assembly window only.
22661
22662 @item layout split
22663 Display the source and assembly window.
22664
22665 @item layout regs
22666 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
22667
22668 @item focus next
22669 @kindex focus
22670 Make the next window active for scrolling.
22671
22672 @item focus prev
22673 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
22674
22675 @item focus src
22676 Make the source window active for scrolling.
22677
22678 @item focus asm
22679 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
22680
22681 @item focus regs
22682 Make the register window active for scrolling.
22683
22684 @item focus cmd
22685 Make the command window active for scrolling.
22686
22687 @item refresh
22688 @kindex refresh
22689 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
22690
22691 @item tui reg float
22692 @kindex tui reg
22693 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
22694
22695 @item tui reg general
22696 Show the general registers in the register window.
22697
22698 @item tui reg next
22699 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
22700 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
22701 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
22702 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
22703
22704 @item tui reg system
22705 Show the system registers in the register window.
22706
22707 @item update
22708 @kindex update
22709 Update the source window and the current execution point.
22710
22711 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
22712 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
22713 @kindex winheight
22714 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
22715 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
22716 decrease it.
22717
22718 @item tabset @var{nchars}
22719 @kindex tabset
22720 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
22721 @end table
22722
22723 @node TUI Configuration
22724 @section TUI Configuration Variables
22725 @cindex TUI configuration variables
22726
22727 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
22728
22729 @table @code
22730 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
22731 @kindex set tui border-kind
22732 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
22733 The possible values are the following:
22734 @table @code
22735 @item space
22736 Use a space character to draw the border.
22737
22738 @item ascii
22739 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
22740
22741 @item acs
22742 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
22743 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
22744 @end table
22745
22746 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
22747 @kindex set tui border-mode
22748 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
22749 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
22750 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
22751 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
22752 @table @code
22753 @item normal
22754 Use normal attributes to display the border.
22755
22756 @item standout
22757 Use standout mode.
22758
22759 @item reverse
22760 Use reverse video mode.
22761
22762 @item half
22763 Use half bright mode.
22764
22765 @item half-standout
22766 Use half bright and standout mode.
22767
22768 @item bold
22769 Use extra bright or bold mode.
22770
22771 @item bold-standout
22772 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
22773 @end table
22774 @end table
22775
22776 @node Emacs
22777 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
22778
22779 @cindex Emacs
22780 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
22781 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
22782 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
22783 @value{GDBN}.
22784
22785 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
22786 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
22787 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
22788 created Emacs buffer.
22789 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
22790
22791 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
22792 things:
22793
22794 @itemize @bullet
22795 @item
22796 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
22797 the GUD buffer.
22798
22799 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
22800 and output done by the program you are debugging.
22801
22802 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
22803 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
22804 in this way.
22805
22806 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
22807 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
22808 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
22809 stop.
22810
22811 @item
22812 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
22813
22814 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
22815 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
22816 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
22817 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
22818 and the source.
22819
22820 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
22821 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
22822 @end itemize
22823
22824 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
22825 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
22826 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
22827 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
22828
22829 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
22830 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
22831 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
22832 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
22833 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
22834 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
22835 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
22836 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
22837 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
22838
22839 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
22840 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
22841 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
22842 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22843
22844 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
22845 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
22846 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
22847 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
22848 one you want.
22849
22850 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
22851 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
22852
22853 @table @kbd
22854 @item C-h m
22855 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
22856
22857 @item C-c C-s
22858 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
22859 update the display window to show the current file and location.
22860
22861 @item C-c C-n
22862 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
22863 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
22864 to show the current file and location.
22865
22866 @item C-c C-i
22867 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
22868 display window accordingly.
22869
22870 @item C-c C-f
22871 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
22872 @code{finish} command.
22873
22874 @item C-c C-r
22875 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
22876 command.
22877
22878 @item C-c <
22879 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
22880 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
22881 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
22882
22883 @item C-c >
22884 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
22885 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
22886 @end table
22887
22888 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
22889 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
22890
22891 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
22892 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
22893 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
22894 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
22895 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
22896 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
22897 speedbar displays watch expressions.
22898
22899 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
22900 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
22901 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
22902 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
22903 frame.
22904
22905 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
22906 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
22907 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
22908 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
22909 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
22910 to correspond properly with the code.
22911
22912 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
22913 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
22914 Emacs Manual}).
22915
22916 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
22917 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
22918 @ignore
22919 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
22920 @kindex Epoch
22921 @kindex inspect
22922
22923 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
22924 called the @code{epoch}
22925 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
22926 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
22927 each value is printed in its own window.
22928 @end ignore
22929
22930
22931 @node GDB/MI
22932 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
22933
22934 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
22935
22936 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
22937 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
22938 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
22939 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
22940 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
22941 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
22942
22943 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
22944 in the form of a reference manual.
22945
22946 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
22947 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
22948 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
22949
22950 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
22951
22952 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
22953 This chapter uses the following notation:
22954
22955 @itemize @bullet
22956 @item
22957 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
22958
22959 @item
22960 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
22961 it may or may not be given.
22962
22963 @item
22964 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
22965 may repeat zero or more times.
22966
22967 @item
22968 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
22969 may repeat one or more times.
22970
22971 @item
22972 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
22973 @end itemize
22974
22975 @ignore
22976 @heading Dependencies
22977 @end ignore
22978
22979 @menu
22980 * GDB/MI General Design::
22981 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
22982 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
22983 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
22984 * GDB/MI Output Records::
22985 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
22986 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
22987 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
22988 * GDB/MI Program Context::
22989 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
22990 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
22991 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
22992 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
22993 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
22994 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
22995 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
22996 * GDB/MI File Commands::
22997 @ignore
22998 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
22999 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
23000 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
23001 @end ignore
23002 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
23003 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
23004 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
23005 @end menu
23006
23007 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23008 @node GDB/MI General Design
23009 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
23010 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
23011
23012 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
23013 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
23014 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
23015 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
23016 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
23017 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
23018 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
23019 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
23020 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
23021 a command and reported as part of that command response.
23022
23023 The important examples of notifications are:
23024 @itemize @bullet
23025
23026 @item
23027 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
23028 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
23029 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
23030 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
23031 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
23032 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
23033 command itself was successfully executed.
23034
23035 @item
23036 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
23037 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
23038 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
23039 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
23040 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
23041 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
23042
23043 @item
23044 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
23045 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
23046 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
23047 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
23048 orthogonal frontend design.
23049
23050 @end itemize
23051
23052 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
23053 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
23054 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
23055 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
23056 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
23057 the user interface.
23058
23059
23060 @menu
23061 * Context management::
23062 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
23063 * Thread groups::
23064 @end menu
23065
23066 @node Context management
23067 @subsection Context management
23068
23069 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
23070 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
23071 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
23072 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
23073 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
23074 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
23075 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
23076 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
23077 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
23078
23079 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
23080 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
23081 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
23082 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
23083 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
23084 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
23085 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
23086 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
23087 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
23088 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
23089 for thread and frame to operate on.
23090
23091 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
23092 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
23093 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
23094 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
23095 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
23096 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
23097 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
23098 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
23099 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
23100 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
23101
23102 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
23103 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
23104 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
23105 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
23106 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
23107 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
23108 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
23109 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
23110 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
23111 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
23112 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
23113 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
23114 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
23115 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
23116 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
23117 @samp{--frame} options.
23118
23119 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
23120 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
23121
23122 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
23123 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
23124 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
23125 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
23126 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
23127 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
23128 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
23129 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
23130 @code{-list-target-features} command.
23131
23132 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
23133 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
23134 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
23135 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
23136 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
23137 are running.
23138
23139 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
23140 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
23141 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
23142 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
23143 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
23144 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
23145 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
23146 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
23147 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
23148 @samp{--thread} option).
23149
23150 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
23151 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
23152 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
23153 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
23154
23155 @node Thread groups
23156 @subsection Thread groups
23157 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
23158 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
23159 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
23160 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
23161 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
23162
23163 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
23164 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
23165 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
23166 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
23167 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
23168 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
23169 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
23170 into processes.
23171
23172 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
23173 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
23174 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
23175 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
23176 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
23177 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
23178 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
23179 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
23180 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
23181 the members of specific thread group.
23182
23183 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
23184 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
23185 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
23186 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
23187 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
23188 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
23189 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
23190 after attaching to that thread group.
23191
23192 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
23193 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
23194 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
23195 such thread groups.
23196
23197 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23198 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
23199 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
23200
23201 @menu
23202 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
23203 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
23204 @end menu
23205
23206 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
23207 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
23208
23209 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
23210 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
23211 @table @code
23212 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
23213 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
23214
23215 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
23216 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
23217 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23218
23219 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
23220 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
23221 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
23222
23223 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
23224 "any sequence of digits"
23225
23226 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
23227 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
23228
23229 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
23230 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
23231
23232 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
23233 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
23234
23235 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
23236 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
23237 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
23238
23239 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
23240 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
23241
23242 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
23243 @code{CR | CR-LF}
23244 @end table
23245
23246 @noindent
23247 Notes:
23248
23249 @itemize @bullet
23250 @item
23251 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
23252 output is described below.
23253
23254 @item
23255 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
23256 finishes.
23257
23258 @item
23259 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
23260 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
23261 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
23262 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
23263 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
23264 @end itemize
23265
23266 Pragmatics:
23267
23268 @itemize @bullet
23269 @item
23270 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
23271
23272 @item
23273 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
23274 @end itemize
23275
23276 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
23277 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
23278
23279 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
23280 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
23281 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
23282 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
23283 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
23284 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
23285
23286 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
23287 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
23288 @var{token}.
23289
23290 @table @code
23291 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
23292 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
23293
23294 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
23295 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
23296
23297 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
23298 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
23299
23300 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
23301 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
23302
23303 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
23304 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
23305
23306 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
23307 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
23308
23309 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
23310 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
23311
23312 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
23313 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
23314
23315 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
23316 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
23317
23318 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
23319 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
23320 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
23321
23322 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
23323 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
23324
23325 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
23326 @code{ @var{string} }
23327
23328 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
23329 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
23330
23331 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
23332 @code{@var{c-string}}
23333
23334 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
23335 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
23336
23337 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
23338 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
23339 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
23340
23341 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
23342 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
23343
23344 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
23345 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
23346
23347 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
23348 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
23349
23350 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
23351 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
23352
23353 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
23354 @code{CR | CR-LF}
23355
23356 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
23357 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
23358 @end table
23359
23360 @noindent
23361 Notes:
23362
23363 @itemize @bullet
23364 @item
23365 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
23366
23367 @item
23368 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
23369 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
23370 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
23371 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
23372 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
23373 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
23374 prior command.
23375
23376 @item
23377 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23378 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
23379 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
23380 prefixed by @samp{+}.
23381
23382 @item
23383 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23384 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
23385 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
23386 @samp{*}.
23387
23388 @item
23389 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23390 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
23391 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
23392 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
23393
23394 @item
23395 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23396 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
23397 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
23398 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
23399
23400 @item
23401 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23402 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
23403 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
23404
23405 @item
23406 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23407 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
23408 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
23409 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
23410
23411 @item
23412 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23413 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
23414 @var{values}.
23415
23416
23417 @end itemize
23418
23419 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
23420 details about the various output records.
23421
23422 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23423 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
23424 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
23425
23426 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
23427 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
23428
23429 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
23430 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
23431 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
23432 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
23433 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
23434 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
23435
23436 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
23437 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
23438 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
23439
23440 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23441 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
23442 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
23443 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
23444
23445 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
23446 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
23447
23448 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
23449 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
23450 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
23451 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
23452 might change.
23453
23454 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
23455 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
23456 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
23457 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
23458
23459 @itemize @bullet
23460 @item
23461 New MI commands may be added.
23462
23463 @item
23464 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
23465
23466 @item
23467 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
23468 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
23469
23470 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
23471 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
23472
23473 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
23474 @c resolve inconsistencies.
23475 @end itemize
23476
23477 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
23478 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
23479 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
23480 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
23481 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
23482
23483 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
23484 @c version?
23485
23486 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
23487 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
23488 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
23489 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
23490 @cindex mailing lists
23491
23492 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23493 @node GDB/MI Output Records
23494 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
23495
23496 @menu
23497 * GDB/MI Result Records::
23498 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
23499 * GDB/MI Async Records::
23500 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
23501 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
23502 @end menu
23503
23504 @node GDB/MI Result Records
23505 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
23506
23507 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23508 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
23509 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
23510 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
23511
23512 @table @code
23513 @findex ^done
23514 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
23515 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
23516 values.
23517
23518 @item "^running"
23519 @findex ^running
23520 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
23521 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
23522 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
23523 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
23524 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
23525 which threads are resumed.
23526
23527 @item "^connected"
23528 @findex ^connected
23529 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
23530
23531 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
23532 @findex ^error
23533 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
23534 error message.
23535
23536 @item "^exit"
23537 @findex ^exit
23538 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
23539
23540 @end table
23541
23542 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
23543 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
23544
23545 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
23546 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23547 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
23548 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
23549 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
23550
23551 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
23552 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
23553 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
23554 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
23555 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
23556
23557 @table @code
23558 @item "~" @var{string-output}
23559 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
23560 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
23561
23562 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
23563 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
23564 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
23565 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
23566
23567 @item "&" @var{string-output}
23568 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
23569 internals.
23570 @end table
23571
23572 @node GDB/MI Async Records
23573 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
23574
23575 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23576 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
23577 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
23578 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
23579 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
23580 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
23581
23582 The following is the list of possible async records:
23583
23584 @table @code
23585
23586 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
23587 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
23588 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
23589 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
23590 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
23591 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
23592 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
23593 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
23594 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
23595 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
23596
23597 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
23598 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
23599 following values:
23600
23601 @table @code
23602 @item breakpoint-hit
23603 A breakpoint was reached.
23604 @item watchpoint-trigger
23605 A watchpoint was triggered.
23606 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
23607 A read watchpoint was triggered.
23608 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
23609 An access watchpoint was triggered.
23610 @item function-finished
23611 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
23612 @item location-reached
23613 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
23614 @item watchpoint-scope
23615 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
23616 @item end-stepping-range
23617 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
23618 similar CLI command was accomplished.
23619 @item exited-signalled
23620 The inferior exited because of a signal.
23621 @item exited
23622 The inferior exited.
23623 @item exited-normally
23624 The inferior exited normally.
23625 @item signal-received
23626 A signal was received by the inferior.
23627 @end table
23628
23629 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
23630 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
23631 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
23632 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
23633 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
23634 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
23635 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
23636 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
23637 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
23638 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
23639 if such information is not available.
23640
23641 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
23642 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
23643 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
23644 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
23645 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
23646 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
23647 cannot be used in any way.
23648
23649 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
23650 A thread group became associated with a running program,
23651 either because the program was just started or the thread group
23652 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
23653 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
23654 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
23655
23656 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
23657 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
23658 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
23659 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
23660 thread group.
23661
23662 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
23663 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
23664 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
23665 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
23666 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
23667
23668 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
23669 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
23670 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
23671 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
23672 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
23673 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
23674 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
23675
23676 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
23677 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
23678 that thread.
23679
23680 @item =library-loaded,...
23681 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
23682 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
23683 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
23684 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
23685 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
23686 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
23687 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
23688 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
23689 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
23690 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
23691 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
23692 of all present thread groups.
23693
23694 @item =library-unloaded,...
23695 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
23696 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
23697 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
23698 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
23699 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
23700 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
23701 thread groups.
23702
23703 @end table
23704
23705 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
23706 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
23707
23708 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
23709 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
23710 fields:
23711
23712 @table @code
23713 @item level
23714 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
23715 zero. This field is always present.
23716
23717 @item func
23718 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
23719 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
23720
23721 @item addr
23722 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
23723
23724 @item file
23725 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
23726 address. This field may be absent.
23727
23728 @item line
23729 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
23730 may be absent.
23731
23732 @item from
23733 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
23734 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
23735
23736 @end table
23737
23738 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
23739 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
23740
23741 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
23742 uses a tuple with the following fields:
23743
23744 @table @code
23745 @item id
23746 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
23747 always present.
23748
23749 @item target-id
23750 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
23751
23752 @item details
23753 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
23754 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
23755 frontend. This field is optional.
23756
23757 @item state
23758 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
23759 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
23760
23761 @item core
23762 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
23763 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
23764 @end table
23765
23766
23767 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23768 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
23769 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
23770 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
23771
23772 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
23773 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
23774 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
23775 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
23776
23777 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
23778 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
23779
23780 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
23781
23782 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
23783 information of the breakpoint.
23784
23785 @smallexample
23786 -> -break-insert main
23787 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23788 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
23789 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
23790 <- (gdb)
23791 @end smallexample
23792
23793 @subheading Program Execution
23794
23795 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
23796 reason that execution stopped.
23797
23798 @smallexample
23799 -> -exec-run
23800 <- ^running
23801 <- (gdb)
23802 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
23803 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
23804 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
23805 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
23806 <- (gdb)
23807 -> -exec-continue
23808 <- ^running
23809 <- (gdb)
23810 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
23811 <- (gdb)
23812 @end smallexample
23813
23814 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
23815
23816 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
23817
23818 @smallexample
23819 -> (gdb)
23820 <- -gdb-exit
23821 <- ^exit
23822 @end smallexample
23823
23824 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
23825 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
23826 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
23827 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
23828 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
23829 fails to exit in reasonable time.
23830
23831 @subheading A Bad Command
23832
23833 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
23834
23835 @smallexample
23836 -> -rubbish
23837 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
23838 <- (gdb)
23839 @end smallexample
23840
23841
23842 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23843 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
23844 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
23845
23846 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
23847 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
23848
23849 @subheading Motivation
23850
23851 The motivation for this collection of commands.
23852
23853 @subheading Introduction
23854
23855 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
23856
23857 @subheading Commands
23858
23859 For each command in the block, the following is described:
23860
23861 @subsubheading Synopsis
23862
23863 @smallexample
23864 -command @var{args}@dots{}
23865 @end smallexample
23866
23867 @subsubheading Result
23868
23869 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23870
23871 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
23872
23873 @subsubheading Example
23874
23875 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
23876 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
23877
23878
23879 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23880 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
23881 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
23882
23883 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
23884 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
23885 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
23886 breakpoints.
23887
23888 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
23889 @findex -break-after
23890
23891 @subsubheading Synopsis
23892
23893 @smallexample
23894 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
23895 @end smallexample
23896
23897 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
23898 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
23899 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
23900 @samp{-break-list} command below.
23901
23902 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23903
23904 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
23905
23906 @subsubheading Example
23907
23908 @smallexample
23909 (gdb)
23910 -break-insert main
23911 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23912 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
23913 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
23914 (gdb)
23915 -break-after 1 3
23916 ~
23917 ^done
23918 (gdb)
23919 -break-list
23920 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23921 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23922 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23923 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23924 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23925 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23926 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23927 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23928 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23929 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
23930 (gdb)
23931 @end smallexample
23932
23933 @ignore
23934 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
23935 @findex -break-catch
23936 @end ignore
23937
23938 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
23939 @findex -break-commands
23940
23941 @subsubheading Synopsis
23942
23943 @smallexample
23944 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
23945 @end smallexample
23946
23947 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
23948 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
23949 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
23950 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
23951 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
23952 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
23953
23954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23955
23956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
23957
23958 @subsubheading Example
23959
23960 @smallexample
23961 (gdb)
23962 -break-insert main
23963 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23964 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
23965 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
23966 (gdb)
23967 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
23968 ^done
23969 (gdb)
23970 @end smallexample
23971
23972 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
23973 @findex -break-condition
23974
23975 @subsubheading Synopsis
23976
23977 @smallexample
23978 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
23979 @end smallexample
23980
23981 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
23982 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
23983 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
23984 command below).
23985
23986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23987
23988 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
23989
23990 @subsubheading Example
23991
23992 @smallexample
23993 (gdb)
23994 -break-condition 1 1
23995 ^done
23996 (gdb)
23997 -break-list
23998 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23999 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24000 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24001 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24002 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24003 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24004 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24005 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24006 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24007 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24008 (gdb)
24009 @end smallexample
24010
24011 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
24012 @findex -break-delete
24013
24014 @subsubheading Synopsis
24015
24016 @smallexample
24017 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24018 @end smallexample
24019
24020 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
24021 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
24022
24023 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24024
24025 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
24026
24027 @subsubheading Example
24028
24029 @smallexample
24030 (gdb)
24031 -break-delete 1
24032 ^done
24033 (gdb)
24034 -break-list
24035 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
24036 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24037 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24038 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24039 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24040 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24041 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24042 body=[]@}
24043 (gdb)
24044 @end smallexample
24045
24046 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
24047 @findex -break-disable
24048
24049 @subsubheading Synopsis
24050
24051 @smallexample
24052 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24053 @end smallexample
24054
24055 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
24056 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
24057
24058 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24059
24060 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
24061
24062 @subsubheading Example
24063
24064 @smallexample
24065 (gdb)
24066 -break-disable 2
24067 ^done
24068 (gdb)
24069 -break-list
24070 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24071 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24072 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24073 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24074 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24075 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24076 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24077 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
24078 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24079 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
24080 (gdb)
24081 @end smallexample
24082
24083 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
24084 @findex -break-enable
24085
24086 @subsubheading Synopsis
24087
24088 @smallexample
24089 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24090 @end smallexample
24091
24092 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
24093
24094 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24095
24096 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
24097
24098 @subsubheading Example
24099
24100 @smallexample
24101 (gdb)
24102 -break-enable 2
24103 ^done
24104 (gdb)
24105 -break-list
24106 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24107 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24108 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24109 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24110 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24111 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24112 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24113 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24114 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24115 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
24116 (gdb)
24117 @end smallexample
24118
24119 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
24120 @findex -break-info
24121
24122 @subsubheading Synopsis
24123
24124 @smallexample
24125 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
24126 @end smallexample
24127
24128 @c REDUNDANT???
24129 Get information about a single breakpoint.
24130
24131 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24132
24133 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
24134
24135 @subsubheading Example
24136 N.A.
24137
24138 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
24139 @findex -break-insert
24140
24141 @subsubheading Synopsis
24142
24143 @smallexample
24144 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
24145 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
24146 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
24147 @end smallexample
24148
24149 @noindent
24150 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
24151
24152 @itemize @bullet
24153 @item function
24154 @c @item +offset
24155 @c @item -offset
24156 @c @item linenum
24157 @item filename:linenum
24158 @item filename:function
24159 @item *address
24160 @end itemize
24161
24162 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
24163
24164 @table @samp
24165 @item -t
24166 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
24167 @item -h
24168 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
24169 @item -c @var{condition}
24170 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
24171 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
24172 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
24173 @item -f
24174 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
24175 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
24176 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
24177 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
24178 cannot be parsed.
24179 @item -d
24180 Create a disabled breakpoint.
24181 @item -a
24182 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
24183 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
24184 @end table
24185
24186 @subsubheading Result
24187
24188 The result is in the form:
24189
24190 @smallexample
24191 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
24192 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
24193 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
24194 times="@var{times}"@}
24195 @end smallexample
24196
24197 @noindent
24198 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
24199 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
24200 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
24201 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
24202 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
24203 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
24204 which use the same output).
24205
24206 Note: this format is open to change.
24207 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
24208
24209 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24210
24211 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
24212 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
24213
24214 @subsubheading Example
24215
24216 @smallexample
24217 (gdb)
24218 -break-insert main
24219 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
24220 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
24221 (gdb)
24222 -break-insert -t foo
24223 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
24224 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
24225 (gdb)
24226 -break-list
24227 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24228 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24229 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24230 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24231 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24232 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24233 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24234 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24235 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
24236 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
24237 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
24238 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
24239 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
24240 (gdb)
24241 -break-insert -r foo.*
24242 ~int foo(int, int);
24243 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
24244 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
24245 (gdb)
24246 @end smallexample
24247
24248 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
24249 @findex -break-list
24250
24251 @subsubheading Synopsis
24252
24253 @smallexample
24254 -break-list
24255 @end smallexample
24256
24257 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
24258
24259 @table @samp
24260 @item Number
24261 number of the breakpoint
24262 @item Type
24263 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
24264 @item Disposition
24265 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
24266 or @samp{nokeep}
24267 @item Enabled
24268 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
24269 @item Address
24270 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
24271 @item What
24272 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
24273 name, line number
24274 @item Times
24275 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
24276 @end table
24277
24278 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
24279 @code{body} field is an empty list.
24280
24281 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24282
24283 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
24284
24285 @subsubheading Example
24286
24287 @smallexample
24288 (gdb)
24289 -break-list
24290 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24291 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24292 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24293 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24294 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24295 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24296 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24297 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24298 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
24299 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24300 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24301 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
24302 (gdb)
24303 @end smallexample
24304
24305 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
24306
24307 @smallexample
24308 (gdb)
24309 -break-list
24310 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
24311 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24312 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24313 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24314 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24315 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24316 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24317 body=[]@}
24318 (gdb)
24319 @end smallexample
24320
24321 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
24322 @findex -break-passcount
24323
24324 @subsubheading Synopsis
24325
24326 @smallexample
24327 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
24328 @end smallexample
24329
24330 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
24331 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
24332 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
24333 command @samp{passcount}.
24334
24335 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
24336 @findex -break-watch
24337
24338 @subsubheading Synopsis
24339
24340 @smallexample
24341 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
24342 @end smallexample
24343
24344 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
24345 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
24346 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
24347 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
24348 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
24349 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
24350 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
24351 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
24352
24353 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
24354 breakpoints inserted.
24355
24356 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24357
24358 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
24359 @samp{rwatch}.
24360
24361 @subsubheading Example
24362
24363 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
24364
24365 @smallexample
24366 (gdb)
24367 -break-watch x
24368 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
24369 (gdb)
24370 -exec-continue
24371 ^running
24372 (gdb)
24373 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
24374 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
24375 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
24376 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
24377 (gdb)
24378 @end smallexample
24379
24380 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
24381 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
24382 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
24383
24384 @smallexample
24385 (gdb)
24386 -break-watch C
24387 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
24388 (gdb)
24389 -exec-continue
24390 ^running
24391 (gdb)
24392 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
24393 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
24394 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24395 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24396 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
24397 (gdb)
24398 -exec-continue
24399 ^running
24400 (gdb)
24401 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
24402 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
24403 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24404 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24405 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24406 (gdb)
24407 @end smallexample
24408
24409 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
24410 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
24411 deleted.
24412
24413 @smallexample
24414 (gdb)
24415 -break-watch C
24416 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
24417 (gdb)
24418 -break-list
24419 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24420 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24421 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24422 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24423 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24424 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24425 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24426 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24427 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24428 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24429 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
24430 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
24431 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
24432 (gdb)
24433 -exec-continue
24434 ^running
24435 (gdb)
24436 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
24437 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
24438 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24439 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24440 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
24441 (gdb)
24442 -break-list
24443 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24444 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24445 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24446 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24447 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24448 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24449 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24450 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24451 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24452 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24453 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
24454 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
24455 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
24456 (gdb)
24457 -exec-continue
24458 ^running
24459 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
24460 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
24461 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24462 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24463 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24464 (gdb)
24465 -break-list
24466 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24467 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24468 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24469 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24470 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24471 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24472 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24473 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24474 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24475 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24476 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
24477 times="1"@}]@}
24478 (gdb)
24479 @end smallexample
24480
24481 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24482 @node GDB/MI Program Context
24483 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
24484
24485 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
24486 @findex -exec-arguments
24487
24488
24489 @subsubheading Synopsis
24490
24491 @smallexample
24492 -exec-arguments @var{args}
24493 @end smallexample
24494
24495 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
24496 @samp{-exec-run}.
24497
24498 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24499
24500 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
24501
24502 @subsubheading Example
24503
24504 @smallexample
24505 (gdb)
24506 -exec-arguments -v word
24507 ^done
24508 (gdb)
24509 @end smallexample
24510
24511
24512 @ignore
24513 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
24514 @findex -exec-show-arguments
24515
24516 @subsubheading Synopsis
24517
24518 @smallexample
24519 -exec-show-arguments
24520 @end smallexample
24521
24522 Print the arguments of the program.
24523
24524 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24525
24526 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
24527
24528 @subsubheading Example
24529 N.A.
24530 @end ignore
24531
24532
24533 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
24534 @findex -environment-cd
24535
24536 @subsubheading Synopsis
24537
24538 @smallexample
24539 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
24540 @end smallexample
24541
24542 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
24543
24544 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24545
24546 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
24547
24548 @subsubheading Example
24549
24550 @smallexample
24551 (gdb)
24552 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
24553 ^done
24554 (gdb)
24555 @end smallexample
24556
24557
24558 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
24559 @findex -environment-directory
24560
24561 @subsubheading Synopsis
24562
24563 @smallexample
24564 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
24565 @end smallexample
24566
24567 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
24568 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
24569 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
24570 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
24571 occurs as normal.
24572 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
24573 multiple directories in a single command
24574 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
24575 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
24576 If blanks are needed as
24577 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
24578 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
24579 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
24580 character must not be used
24581 in any directory name.
24582 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
24583
24584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24585
24586 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
24587
24588 @subsubheading Example
24589
24590 @smallexample
24591 (gdb)
24592 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
24593 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
24594 (gdb)
24595 -environment-directory ""
24596 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
24597 (gdb)
24598 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
24599 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
24600 (gdb)
24601 -environment-directory -r
24602 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
24603 (gdb)
24604 @end smallexample
24605
24606
24607 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
24608 @findex -environment-path
24609
24610 @subsubheading Synopsis
24611
24612 @smallexample
24613 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
24614 @end smallexample
24615
24616 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
24617 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
24618 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
24619 supplied in addition to the
24620 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
24621 occurs as normal.
24622 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
24623 multiple directories in a single command
24624 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
24625 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
24626 If blanks are needed as
24627 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
24628 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
24629 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
24630 character must not be used
24631 in any directory name.
24632 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
24633
24634
24635 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24636
24637 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
24638
24639 @subsubheading Example
24640
24641 @smallexample
24642 (gdb)
24643 -environment-path
24644 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
24645 (gdb)
24646 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
24647 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
24648 (gdb)
24649 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
24650 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
24651 (gdb)
24652 @end smallexample
24653
24654
24655 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
24656 @findex -environment-pwd
24657
24658 @subsubheading Synopsis
24659
24660 @smallexample
24661 -environment-pwd
24662 @end smallexample
24663
24664 Show the current working directory.
24665
24666 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24667
24668 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
24669
24670 @subsubheading Example
24671
24672 @smallexample
24673 (gdb)
24674 -environment-pwd
24675 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
24676 (gdb)
24677 @end smallexample
24678
24679 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24680 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
24681 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
24682
24683
24684 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
24685 @findex -thread-info
24686
24687 @subsubheading Synopsis
24688
24689 @smallexample
24690 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
24691 @end smallexample
24692
24693 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
24694 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
24695 threads. When printing information about all threads,
24696 also reports the current thread.
24697
24698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24699
24700 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
24701 about all threads.
24702
24703 @subsubheading Example
24704
24705 @smallexample
24706 -thread-info
24707 ^done,threads=[
24708 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
24709 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
24710 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
24711 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
24712 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
24713 current-thread-id="1"
24714 (gdb)
24715 @end smallexample
24716
24717 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
24718
24719 @table @code
24720 @item stopped
24721 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
24722 threads.
24723
24724 @item running
24725 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
24726 threads.
24727
24728 @end table
24729
24730 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
24731 @findex -thread-list-ids
24732
24733 @subsubheading Synopsis
24734
24735 @smallexample
24736 -thread-list-ids
24737 @end smallexample
24738
24739 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
24740 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
24741
24742 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
24743 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
24744
24745 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24746
24747 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
24748
24749 @subsubheading Example
24750
24751 @smallexample
24752 (gdb)
24753 -thread-list-ids
24754 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
24755 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
24756 (gdb)
24757 @end smallexample
24758
24759
24760 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
24761 @findex -thread-select
24762
24763 @subsubheading Synopsis
24764
24765 @smallexample
24766 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
24767 @end smallexample
24768
24769 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
24770 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
24771
24772 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
24773 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
24774
24775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24776
24777 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
24778
24779 @subsubheading Example
24780
24781 @smallexample
24782 (gdb)
24783 -exec-next
24784 ^running
24785 (gdb)
24786 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
24787 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
24788 (gdb)
24789 -thread-list-ids
24790 ^done,
24791 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
24792 number-of-threads="3"
24793 (gdb)
24794 -thread-select 3
24795 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
24796 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
24797 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
24798 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
24799 (gdb)
24800 @end smallexample
24801
24802 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24803 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
24804 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
24805
24806 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
24807 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
24808 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
24809 other cases.
24810
24811 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
24812 @findex -exec-continue
24813
24814 @subsubheading Synopsis
24815
24816 @smallexample
24817 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
24818 @end smallexample
24819
24820 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
24821 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
24822 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
24823 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
24824 @itemize @bullet
24825 @item
24826 breakpoints or watchpoints
24827 @item
24828 signals or exceptions
24829 @item
24830 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
24831 @item
24832 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
24833 @end itemize
24834 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
24835 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
24836 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
24837 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
24838 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
24839 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
24840
24841 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24842
24843 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
24844
24845 @subsubheading Example
24846
24847 @smallexample
24848 -exec-continue
24849 ^running
24850 (gdb)
24851 @@Hello world
24852 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
24853 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
24854 line="13"@}
24855 (gdb)
24856 @end smallexample
24857
24858
24859 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
24860 @findex -exec-finish
24861
24862 @subsubheading Synopsis
24863
24864 @smallexample
24865 -exec-finish [--reverse]
24866 @end smallexample
24867
24868 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
24869 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
24870 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
24871 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
24872 function was called.
24873
24874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24875
24876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
24877
24878 @subsubheading Example
24879
24880 Function returning @code{void}.
24881
24882 @smallexample
24883 -exec-finish
24884 ^running
24885 (gdb)
24886 @@hello from foo
24887 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
24888 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
24889 (gdb)
24890 @end smallexample
24891
24892 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
24893 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
24894 value itself.
24895
24896 @smallexample
24897 -exec-finish
24898 ^running
24899 (gdb)
24900 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
24901 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
24902 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24903 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
24904 (gdb)
24905 @end smallexample
24906
24907
24908 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
24909 @findex -exec-interrupt
24910
24911 @subsubheading Synopsis
24912
24913 @smallexample
24914 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
24915 @end smallexample
24916
24917 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
24918 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
24919 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
24920 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
24921 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
24922
24923 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
24924 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
24925 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
24926 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
24927
24928 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
24929 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
24930 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
24931 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
24932
24933 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24934
24935 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
24936
24937 @subsubheading Example
24938
24939 @smallexample
24940 (gdb)
24941 111-exec-continue
24942 111^running
24943
24944 (gdb)
24945 222-exec-interrupt
24946 222^done
24947 (gdb)
24948 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
24949 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24950 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
24951 (gdb)
24952
24953 (gdb)
24954 -exec-interrupt
24955 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
24956 (gdb)
24957 @end smallexample
24958
24959 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
24960 @findex -exec-jump
24961
24962 @subsubheading Synopsis
24963
24964 @smallexample
24965 -exec-jump @var{location}
24966 @end smallexample
24967
24968 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
24969 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
24970 different forms of @var{location}.
24971
24972 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24973
24974 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
24975
24976 @subsubheading Example
24977
24978 @smallexample
24979 -exec-jump foo.c:10
24980 *running,thread-id="all"
24981 ^running
24982 @end smallexample
24983
24984
24985 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
24986 @findex -exec-next
24987
24988 @subsubheading Synopsis
24989
24990 @smallexample
24991 -exec-next [--reverse]
24992 @end smallexample
24993
24994 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24995 of the next source line is reached.
24996
24997 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24998 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
24999 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
25000 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
25001 source line where the function was called.
25002
25003
25004 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25005
25006 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
25007
25008 @subsubheading Example
25009
25010 @smallexample
25011 -exec-next
25012 ^running
25013 (gdb)
25014 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
25015 (gdb)
25016 @end smallexample
25017
25018
25019 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
25020 @findex -exec-next-instruction
25021
25022 @subsubheading Synopsis
25023
25024 @smallexample
25025 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
25026 @end smallexample
25027
25028 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
25029 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
25030 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
25031 printed as well.
25032
25033 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
25034 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
25035 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
25036 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
25037 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
25038
25039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25040
25041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
25042
25043 @subsubheading Example
25044
25045 @smallexample
25046 (gdb)
25047 -exec-next-instruction
25048 ^running
25049
25050 (gdb)
25051 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25052 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
25053 (gdb)
25054 @end smallexample
25055
25056
25057 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
25058 @findex -exec-return
25059
25060 @subsubheading Synopsis
25061
25062 @smallexample
25063 -exec-return
25064 @end smallexample
25065
25066 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
25067 Displays the new current frame.
25068
25069 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25070
25071 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
25072
25073 @subsubheading Example
25074
25075 @smallexample
25076 (gdb)
25077 200-break-insert callee4
25078 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
25079 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
25080 (gdb)
25081 000-exec-run
25082 000^running
25083 (gdb)
25084 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
25085 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25086 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25087 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
25088 (gdb)
25089 205-break-delete
25090 205^done
25091 (gdb)
25092 111-exec-return
25093 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
25094 args=[@{name="strarg",
25095 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25096 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25097 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25098 (gdb)
25099 @end smallexample
25100
25101
25102 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
25103 @findex -exec-run
25104
25105 @subsubheading Synopsis
25106
25107 @smallexample
25108 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
25109 @end smallexample
25110
25111 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
25112 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
25113 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
25114 the program has exited exceptionally.
25115
25116 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
25117 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
25118 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
25119 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
25120
25121 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25122
25123 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
25124
25125 @subsubheading Examples
25126
25127 @smallexample
25128 (gdb)
25129 -break-insert main
25130 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
25131 (gdb)
25132 -exec-run
25133 ^running
25134 (gdb)
25135 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
25136 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25137 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
25138 (gdb)
25139 @end smallexample
25140
25141 @noindent
25142 Program exited normally:
25143
25144 @smallexample
25145 (gdb)
25146 -exec-run
25147 ^running
25148 (gdb)
25149 x = 55
25150 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25151 (gdb)
25152 @end smallexample
25153
25154 @noindent
25155 Program exited exceptionally:
25156
25157 @smallexample
25158 (gdb)
25159 -exec-run
25160 ^running
25161 (gdb)
25162 x = 55
25163 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
25164 (gdb)
25165 @end smallexample
25166
25167 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
25168 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
25169
25170 @smallexample
25171 (gdb)
25172 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
25173 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
25174 @end smallexample
25175
25176
25177 @c @subheading -exec-signal
25178
25179
25180 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
25181 @findex -exec-step
25182
25183 @subsubheading Synopsis
25184
25185 @smallexample
25186 -exec-step [--reverse]
25187 @end smallexample
25188
25189 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
25190 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
25191 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
25192 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
25193 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
25194 previously executed source line.
25195
25196 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25197
25198 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
25199
25200 @subsubheading Example
25201
25202 Stepping into a function:
25203
25204 @smallexample
25205 -exec-step
25206 ^running
25207 (gdb)
25208 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25209 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
25210 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
25211 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
25212 (gdb)
25213 @end smallexample
25214
25215 Regular stepping:
25216
25217 @smallexample
25218 -exec-step
25219 ^running
25220 (gdb)
25221 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
25222 (gdb)
25223 @end smallexample
25224
25225
25226 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
25227 @findex -exec-step-instruction
25228
25229 @subsubheading Synopsis
25230
25231 @smallexample
25232 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
25233 @end smallexample
25234
25235 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
25236 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
25237 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
25238 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
25239 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
25240 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
25241 as well.
25242
25243 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25244
25245 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
25246
25247 @subsubheading Example
25248
25249 @smallexample
25250 (gdb)
25251 -exec-step-instruction
25252 ^running
25253
25254 (gdb)
25255 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25256 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25257 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
25258 (gdb)
25259 -exec-step-instruction
25260 ^running
25261
25262 (gdb)
25263 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25264 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25265 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
25266 (gdb)
25267 @end smallexample
25268
25269
25270 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
25271 @findex -exec-until
25272
25273 @subsubheading Synopsis
25274
25275 @smallexample
25276 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
25277 @end smallexample
25278
25279 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
25280 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
25281 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
25282 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
25283
25284 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25285
25286 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
25287
25288 @subsubheading Example
25289
25290 @smallexample
25291 (gdb)
25292 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
25293 ^running
25294 (gdb)
25295 x = 55
25296 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
25297 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
25298 (gdb)
25299 @end smallexample
25300
25301 @ignore
25302 @subheading -file-clear
25303 Is this going away????
25304 @end ignore
25305
25306 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25307 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
25308 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
25309
25310
25311 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
25312 @findex -stack-info-frame
25313
25314 @subsubheading Synopsis
25315
25316 @smallexample
25317 -stack-info-frame
25318 @end smallexample
25319
25320 Get info on the selected frame.
25321
25322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25323
25324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
25325 (without arguments).
25326
25327 @subsubheading Example
25328
25329 @smallexample
25330 (gdb)
25331 -stack-info-frame
25332 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
25333 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25334 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
25335 (gdb)
25336 @end smallexample
25337
25338 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
25339 @findex -stack-info-depth
25340
25341 @subsubheading Synopsis
25342
25343 @smallexample
25344 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
25345 @end smallexample
25346
25347 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
25348 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
25349
25350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25351
25352 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
25353
25354 @subsubheading Example
25355
25356 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
25357
25358 @smallexample
25359 (gdb)
25360 -stack-info-depth
25361 ^done,depth="12"
25362 (gdb)
25363 -stack-info-depth 4
25364 ^done,depth="4"
25365 (gdb)
25366 -stack-info-depth 12
25367 ^done,depth="12"
25368 (gdb)
25369 -stack-info-depth 11
25370 ^done,depth="11"
25371 (gdb)
25372 -stack-info-depth 13
25373 ^done,depth="12"
25374 (gdb)
25375 @end smallexample
25376
25377 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
25378 @findex -stack-list-arguments
25379
25380 @subsubheading Synopsis
25381
25382 @smallexample
25383 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
25384 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
25385 @end smallexample
25386
25387 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
25388 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
25389 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
25390 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
25391 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
25392 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
25393 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
25394 which case only existing frames will be returned.
25395
25396 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25397 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25398 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25399 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25400 structures and unions.
25401
25402 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
25403 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
25404
25405 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25406
25407 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
25408 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
25409 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
25410
25411 @subsubheading Example
25412
25413 @smallexample
25414 (gdb)
25415 -stack-list-frames
25416 ^done,
25417 stack=[
25418 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25419 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25420 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
25421 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
25422 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25423 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
25424 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
25425 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25426 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
25427 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
25428 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25429 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
25430 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
25431 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25432 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
25433 (gdb)
25434 -stack-list-arguments 0
25435 ^done,
25436 stack-args=[
25437 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
25438 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
25439 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
25440 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
25441 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
25442 (gdb)
25443 -stack-list-arguments 1
25444 ^done,
25445 stack-args=[
25446 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
25447 frame=@{level="1",
25448 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
25449 frame=@{level="2",args=[
25450 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25451 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
25452 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
25453 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25454 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
25455 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
25456 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
25457 (gdb)
25458 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
25459 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
25460 (gdb)
25461 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
25462 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
25463 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25464 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
25465 (gdb)
25466 @end smallexample
25467
25468 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
25469
25470
25471 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
25472 @findex -stack-list-frames
25473
25474 @subsubheading Synopsis
25475
25476 @smallexample
25477 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
25478 @end smallexample
25479
25480 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
25481 following info:
25482
25483 @table @samp
25484 @item @var{level}
25485 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
25486 @item @var{addr}
25487 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
25488 @item @var{func}
25489 Function name.
25490 @item @var{file}
25491 File name of the source file where the function lives.
25492 @item @var{line}
25493 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
25494 @end table
25495
25496 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
25497 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
25498 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
25499 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
25500 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
25501 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
25502 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
25503
25504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25505
25506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
25507
25508 @subsubheading Example
25509
25510 Full stack backtrace:
25511
25512 @smallexample
25513 (gdb)
25514 -stack-list-frames
25515 ^done,stack=
25516 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
25517 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
25518 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25519 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25520 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25521 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25522 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25523 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25524 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25525 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25526 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25527 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25528 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25529 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25530 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25531 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25532 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25533 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25534 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25535 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25536 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25537 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25538 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
25539 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
25540 (gdb)
25541 @end smallexample
25542
25543 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
25544
25545 @smallexample
25546 (gdb)
25547 -stack-list-frames 3 5
25548 ^done,stack=
25549 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25550 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25551 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25552 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25553 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25554 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
25555 (gdb)
25556 @end smallexample
25557
25558 Show a single frame:
25559
25560 @smallexample
25561 (gdb)
25562 -stack-list-frames 3 3
25563 ^done,stack=
25564 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25565 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
25566 (gdb)
25567 @end smallexample
25568
25569
25570 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
25571 @findex -stack-list-locals
25572
25573 @subsubheading Synopsis
25574
25575 @smallexample
25576 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
25577 @end smallexample
25578
25579 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
25580 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25581 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25582 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25583 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25584 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
25585 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
25586 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
25587 more detail.
25588
25589 This command is deprecated in favor of the
25590 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
25591
25592 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25593
25594 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
25595
25596 @subsubheading Example
25597
25598 @smallexample
25599 (gdb)
25600 -stack-list-locals 0
25601 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
25602 (gdb)
25603 -stack-list-locals --all-values
25604 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
25605 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
25606 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
25607 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
25608 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
25609 (gdb)
25610 @end smallexample
25611
25612 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
25613 @findex -stack-list-variables
25614
25615 @subsubheading Synopsis
25616
25617 @smallexample
25618 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
25619 @end smallexample
25620
25621 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
25622 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25623 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25624 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25625 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25626 structures and unions.
25627
25628 @subsubheading Example
25629
25630 @smallexample
25631 (gdb)
25632 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
25633 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
25634 (gdb)
25635 @end smallexample
25636
25637
25638 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
25639 @findex -stack-select-frame
25640
25641 @subsubheading Synopsis
25642
25643 @smallexample
25644 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
25645 @end smallexample
25646
25647 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
25648 the stack.
25649
25650 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
25651 option to every command.
25652
25653 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25654
25655 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
25656 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
25657
25658 @subsubheading Example
25659
25660 @smallexample
25661 (gdb)
25662 -stack-select-frame 2
25663 ^done
25664 (gdb)
25665 @end smallexample
25666
25667 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25668 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
25669 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
25670
25671 @ignore
25672
25673 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
25674
25675 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
25676 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
25677 used by @code{Insight}.
25678
25679 The two main reasons for that are:
25680
25681 @enumerate 1
25682 @item
25683 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
25684
25685 @item
25686 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
25687 now).
25688 @end enumerate
25689
25690 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
25691 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
25692 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
25693 hints about their use.
25694
25695 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
25696 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
25697 least, the following operations:
25698
25699 @itemize @bullet
25700 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
25701 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
25702 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
25703 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
25704 @end itemize
25705
25706 @end ignore
25707
25708 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
25709
25710 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
25711
25712 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
25713 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
25714 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
25715 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
25716 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
25717 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
25718 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
25719 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
25720 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
25721 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
25722 object, or to change display format.
25723
25724 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
25725 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
25726 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
25727 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
25728 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
25729 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
25730 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
25731 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
25732 child will be created.
25733
25734 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
25735 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
25736 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
25737 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
25738 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
25739
25740 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
25741 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
25742 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
25743 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
25744 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
25745 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
25746 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
25747 variables that frontend has created.
25748
25749 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
25750 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
25751 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
25752 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
25753 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
25754 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
25755 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
25756 implicitly updated.
25757
25758 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
25759 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
25760 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
25761 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
25762 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
25763 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
25764 frame. Consider this example:
25765
25766 @smallexample
25767 void do_work(...)
25768 @{
25769 struct work_state state;
25770
25771 if (...)
25772 do_work(...);
25773 @}
25774 @end smallexample
25775
25776 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
25777 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
25778 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
25779 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
25780 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
25781
25782 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
25783 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
25784 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
25785 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
25786 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
25787 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
25788
25789 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
25790 access this functionality:
25791
25792 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
25793 @item @strong{Operation}
25794 @tab @strong{Description}
25795
25796 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
25797 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
25798 @item @code{-var-create}
25799 @tab create a variable object
25800 @item @code{-var-delete}
25801 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
25802 @item @code{-var-set-format}
25803 @tab set the display format of this variable
25804 @item @code{-var-show-format}
25805 @tab show the display format of this variable
25806 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
25807 @tab tells how many children this object has
25808 @item @code{-var-list-children}
25809 @tab return a list of the object's children
25810 @item @code{-var-info-type}
25811 @tab show the type of this variable object
25812 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
25813 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
25814 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
25815 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
25816 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
25817 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
25818 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
25819 @tab get the value of this variable
25820 @item @code{-var-assign}
25821 @tab set the value of this variable
25822 @item @code{-var-update}
25823 @tab update the variable and its children
25824 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
25825 @tab set frozeness attribute
25826 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
25827 @tab set range of children to display on update
25828 @end multitable
25829
25830 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
25831 how it can be used.
25832
25833 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
25834
25835 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
25836 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
25837
25838 @smallexample
25839 -enable-pretty-printing
25840 @end smallexample
25841
25842 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
25843 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
25844 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
25845 request that this functionality be enabled.
25846
25847 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
25848
25849 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
25850 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
25851
25852 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
25853 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
25854
25855 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
25856 @findex -var-create
25857
25858 @subsubheading Synopsis
25859
25860 @smallexample
25861 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
25862 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
25863 @end smallexample
25864
25865 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
25866 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
25867 register.
25868
25869 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
25870 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
25871 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
25872 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
25873 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
25874
25875 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
25876 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
25877 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
25878 object must be created.
25879
25880 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
25881 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
25882
25883 @itemize @bullet
25884 @item
25885 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
25886
25887 @item
25888 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
25889
25890 @item
25891 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
25892 @end itemize
25893
25894 @cindex dynamic varobj
25895 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
25896 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
25897 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
25898 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
25899 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
25900 compatibility for existing clients.
25901
25902 @subsubheading Result
25903
25904 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
25905 are:
25906
25907 @table @samp
25908 @item name
25909 The name of the varobj.
25910
25911 @item numchild
25912 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
25913 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
25914 @samp{has_more} attribute.
25915
25916 @item value
25917 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
25918 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
25919 will not be interesting.
25920
25921 @item type
25922 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
25923 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
25924
25925 @item thread-id
25926 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
25927 thread's identifier.
25928
25929 @item has_more
25930 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
25931 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
25932
25933 @item dynamic
25934 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
25935 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
25936 then this attribute will not be present.
25937
25938 @item displayhint
25939 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
25940 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
25941 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
25942 @end table
25943
25944 Typical output will look like this:
25945
25946 @smallexample
25947 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
25948 has_more="@var{has_more}"
25949 @end smallexample
25950
25951
25952 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
25953 @findex -var-delete
25954
25955 @subsubheading Synopsis
25956
25957 @smallexample
25958 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
25959 @end smallexample
25960
25961 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
25962 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
25963
25964 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
25965
25966
25967 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
25968 @findex -var-set-format
25969
25970 @subsubheading Synopsis
25971
25972 @smallexample
25973 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
25974 @end smallexample
25975
25976 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
25977 @var{format-spec}.
25978
25979 @anchor{-var-set-format}
25980 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
25981
25982 @smallexample
25983 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
25984 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
25985 @end smallexample
25986
25987 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
25988 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
25989 for pointers, etc.).
25990
25991 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
25992 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
25993
25994 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
25995 @findex -var-show-format
25996
25997 @subsubheading Synopsis
25998
25999 @smallexample
26000 -var-show-format @var{name}
26001 @end smallexample
26002
26003 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
26004
26005 @smallexample
26006 @var{format} @expansion{}
26007 @var{format-spec}
26008 @end smallexample
26009
26010
26011 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
26012 @findex -var-info-num-children
26013
26014 @subsubheading Synopsis
26015
26016 @smallexample
26017 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
26018 @end smallexample
26019
26020 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
26021
26022 @smallexample
26023 numchild=@var{n}
26024 @end smallexample
26025
26026 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
26027 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
26028 be available.
26029
26030
26031 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
26032 @findex -var-list-children
26033
26034 @subsubheading Synopsis
26035
26036 @smallexample
26037 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
26038 @end smallexample
26039 @anchor{-var-list-children}
26040
26041 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
26042 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
26043 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
26044 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
26045 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
26046 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
26047 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
26048 and unions.
26049
26050 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
26051 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
26052 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
26053 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
26054 reported.
26055
26056 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
26057 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
26058 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
26059 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
26060 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
26061 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
26062 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
26063 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
26064 the visible items.
26065
26066 For each child the following results are returned:
26067
26068 @table @var
26069
26070 @item name
26071 Name of the variable object created for this child.
26072
26073 @item exp
26074 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
26075 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
26076
26077 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
26078 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
26079
26080 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
26081 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
26082 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
26083 type and value are not present.
26084
26085 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
26086 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
26087 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
26088
26089 @item numchild
26090 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
26091 0.
26092
26093 @item type
26094 The type of the child.
26095
26096 @item value
26097 If values were requested, this is the value.
26098
26099 @item thread-id
26100 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
26101 Otherwise this result is not present.
26102
26103 @item frozen
26104 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
26105 @end table
26106
26107 The result may have its own attributes:
26108
26109 @table @samp
26110 @item displayhint
26111 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
26112 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
26113 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
26114
26115 @item has_more
26116 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
26117 remaining after the end of the selected range.
26118 @end table
26119
26120 @subsubheading Example
26121
26122 @smallexample
26123 (gdb)
26124 -var-list-children n
26125 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
26126 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
26127 (gdb)
26128 -var-list-children --all-values n
26129 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
26130 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
26131 @end smallexample
26132
26133
26134 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
26135 @findex -var-info-type
26136
26137 @subsubheading Synopsis
26138
26139 @smallexample
26140 -var-info-type @var{name}
26141 @end smallexample
26142
26143 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
26144 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
26145 @value{GDBN} CLI:
26146
26147 @smallexample
26148 type=@var{typename}
26149 @end smallexample
26150
26151
26152 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
26153 @findex -var-info-expression
26154
26155 @subsubheading Synopsis
26156
26157 @smallexample
26158 -var-info-expression @var{name}
26159 @end smallexample
26160
26161 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
26162 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
26163 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
26164
26165 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
26166 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
26167
26168 @smallexample
26169 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
26170 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
26171 @end smallexample
26172
26173 @noindent
26174 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
26175
26176 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
26177 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
26178 is of limited use.
26179
26180 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
26181 @findex -var-info-path-expression
26182
26183 @subsubheading Synopsis
26184
26185 @smallexample
26186 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
26187 @end smallexample
26188
26189 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
26190 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
26191 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
26192 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
26193 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
26194 watchpoint from a variable object.
26195
26196 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
26197 and will give an error when invoked on one.
26198
26199 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
26200 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
26201 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
26202 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
26203 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
26204 @smallexample
26205 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
26206 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
26207 @end smallexample
26208
26209 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
26210 @findex -var-show-attributes
26211
26212 @subsubheading Synopsis
26213
26214 @smallexample
26215 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
26216 @end smallexample
26217
26218 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
26219
26220 @smallexample
26221 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
26222 @end smallexample
26223
26224 @noindent
26225 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
26226
26227 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
26228 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
26229
26230 @subsubheading Synopsis
26231
26232 @smallexample
26233 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
26234 @end smallexample
26235
26236 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
26237 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
26238 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
26239 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
26240 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
26241 the current display format will be used. The current display format
26242 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
26243
26244 @smallexample
26245 value=@var{value}
26246 @end smallexample
26247
26248 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
26249 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
26250
26251 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
26252 @findex -var-assign
26253
26254 @subsubheading Synopsis
26255
26256 @smallexample
26257 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
26258 @end smallexample
26259
26260 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
26261 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
26262 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
26263 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
26264
26265 @subsubheading Example
26266
26267 @smallexample
26268 (gdb)
26269 -var-assign var1 3
26270 ^done,value="3"
26271 (gdb)
26272 -var-update *
26273 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
26274 (gdb)
26275 @end smallexample
26276
26277 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
26278 @findex -var-update
26279
26280 @subsubheading Synopsis
26281
26282 @smallexample
26283 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
26284 @end smallexample
26285
26286 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
26287 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
26288 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
26289 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
26290 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
26291 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
26292 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
26293 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
26294 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
26295 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
26296 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
26297 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
26298 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
26299
26300 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
26301 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
26302 diagnostic.
26303
26304 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
26305 only the selected range of children will be reported.
26306
26307 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
26308 @samp{changelist}.
26309
26310 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
26311
26312 @table @samp
26313 @item name
26314 The name of the varobj.
26315
26316 @item value
26317 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
26318 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
26319
26320 @item in_scope
26321 @anchor{-var-update}
26322 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
26323
26324 @table @code
26325 @item "true"
26326 The variable object's current value is valid.
26327
26328 @item "false"
26329 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
26330 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
26331 scope.
26332
26333 @item "invalid"
26334 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
26335 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
26336 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
26337 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
26338 objects.
26339 @end table
26340
26341 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
26342 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
26343
26344 @item type_changed
26345 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
26346 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
26347 be @samp{false}.
26348
26349 @item new_type
26350 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
26351 hold the new type.
26352
26353 @item new_num_children
26354 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
26355 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
26356
26357 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
26358 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
26359 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
26360 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
26361 children which may be available.
26362
26363 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
26364 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
26365 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
26366 only happen at the end of the update range).
26367
26368 @item displayhint
26369 The display hint, if any.
26370
26371 @item has_more
26372 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
26373 available outside the varobj's update range.
26374
26375 @item dynamic
26376 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
26377 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
26378 then this attribute will not be present.
26379
26380 @item new_children
26381 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
26382 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
26383 be listed in this attribute.
26384 @end table
26385
26386 @subsubheading Example
26387
26388 @smallexample
26389 (gdb)
26390 -var-assign var1 3
26391 ^done,value="3"
26392 (gdb)
26393 -var-update --all-values var1
26394 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
26395 type_changed="false"@}]
26396 (gdb)
26397 @end smallexample
26398
26399 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
26400 @findex -var-set-frozen
26401 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
26402
26403 @subsubheading Synopsis
26404
26405 @smallexample
26406 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
26407 @end smallexample
26408
26409 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
26410 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
26411 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
26412 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
26413 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
26414 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
26415 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
26416 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
26417 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
26418 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
26419 @code{-var-update} does.
26420
26421 @subsubheading Example
26422
26423 @smallexample
26424 (gdb)
26425 -var-set-frozen V 1
26426 ^done
26427 (gdb)
26428 @end smallexample
26429
26430 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
26431 @findex -var-set-update-range
26432 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
26433
26434 @subsubheading Synopsis
26435
26436 @smallexample
26437 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
26438 @end smallexample
26439
26440 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
26441 @code{-var-update}.
26442
26443 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
26444 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
26445 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
26446 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
26447
26448 @subsubheading Example
26449
26450 @smallexample
26451 (gdb)
26452 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
26453 ^done
26454 @end smallexample
26455
26456 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
26457 @findex -var-set-visualizer
26458 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
26459
26460 @subsubheading Synopsis
26461
26462 @smallexample
26463 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
26464 @end smallexample
26465
26466 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
26467
26468 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
26469 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
26470
26471 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
26472 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
26473 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
26474 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
26475 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
26476 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
26477 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
26478
26479 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
26480 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
26481 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
26482 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
26483
26484 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
26485 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
26486 can be used to check this.
26487
26488 @subsubheading Example
26489
26490 Resetting the visualizer:
26491
26492 @smallexample
26493 (gdb)
26494 -var-set-visualizer V None
26495 ^done
26496 @end smallexample
26497
26498 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
26499
26500 @smallexample
26501 (gdb)
26502 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
26503 ^done
26504 @end smallexample
26505
26506 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
26507 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
26508
26509 @smallexample
26510 (gdb)
26511 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
26512 ^done
26513 @end smallexample
26514
26515 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26516 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
26517 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
26518
26519 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
26520 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
26521 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
26522 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
26523
26524 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
26525 @c @subheading -data-assign
26526 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
26527 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
26528 @c set variable
26529 @c @subsubheading Example
26530 @c N.A.
26531
26532 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
26533 @findex -data-disassemble
26534
26535 @subsubheading Synopsis
26536
26537 @smallexample
26538 -data-disassemble
26539 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
26540 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
26541 -- @var{mode}
26542 @end smallexample
26543
26544 @noindent
26545 Where:
26546
26547 @table @samp
26548 @item @var{start-addr}
26549 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
26550 @item @var{end-addr}
26551 is the end address
26552 @item @var{filename}
26553 is the name of the file to disassemble
26554 @item @var{linenum}
26555 is the line number to disassemble around
26556 @item @var{lines}
26557 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
26558 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
26559 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
26560 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
26561 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
26562 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
26563 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
26564 are displayed.
26565 @item @var{mode}
26566 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
26567 disassembly).
26568 @end table
26569
26570 @subsubheading Result
26571
26572 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
26573
26574 @itemize @bullet
26575 @item Address
26576 @item Func-name
26577 @item Offset
26578 @item Instruction
26579 @end itemize
26580
26581 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
26582 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
26583
26584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26585
26586 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
26587
26588 @subsubheading Example
26589
26590 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
26591
26592 @smallexample
26593 (gdb)
26594 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
26595 ^done,
26596 asm_insns=[
26597 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26598 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26599 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26600 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26601 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
26602 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
26603 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
26604 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26605 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
26606 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
26607 (gdb)
26608 @end smallexample
26609
26610 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
26611 @code{main}.
26612
26613 @smallexample
26614 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
26615 ^done,asm_insns=[
26616 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26617 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
26618 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26619 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26620 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26621 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26622 [@dots{}]
26623 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
26624 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
26625 (gdb)
26626 @end smallexample
26627
26628 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
26629
26630 @smallexample
26631 (gdb)
26632 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
26633 ^done,asm_insns=[
26634 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26635 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
26636 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26637 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26638 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26639 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
26640 (gdb)
26641 @end smallexample
26642
26643 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
26644
26645 @smallexample
26646 (gdb)
26647 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
26648 ^done,asm_insns=[
26649 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
26650 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
26651 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
26652 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26653 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
26654 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
26655 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
26656 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
26657 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26658 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26659 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26660 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
26661 (gdb)
26662 @end smallexample
26663
26664
26665 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
26666 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
26667
26668 @subsubheading Synopsis
26669
26670 @smallexample
26671 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
26672 @end smallexample
26673
26674 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
26675 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
26676 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
26677
26678 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26679
26680 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
26681 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
26682 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
26683
26684 @subsubheading Example
26685
26686 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
26687 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
26688 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
26689 output.
26690
26691 @smallexample
26692 211-data-evaluate-expression A
26693 211^done,value="1"
26694 (gdb)
26695 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
26696 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
26697 (gdb)
26698 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
26699 411^done,value="4"
26700 (gdb)
26701 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
26702 511^done,value="4"
26703 (gdb)
26704 @end smallexample
26705
26706
26707 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
26708 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
26709
26710 @subsubheading Synopsis
26711
26712 @smallexample
26713 -data-list-changed-registers
26714 @end smallexample
26715
26716 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
26717
26718 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26719
26720 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
26721 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
26722
26723 @subsubheading Example
26724
26725 On a PPC MBX board:
26726
26727 @smallexample
26728 (gdb)
26729 -exec-continue
26730 ^running
26731
26732 (gdb)
26733 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
26734 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
26735 line="5"@}
26736 (gdb)
26737 -data-list-changed-registers
26738 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
26739 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
26740 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
26741 (gdb)
26742 @end smallexample
26743
26744
26745 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
26746 @findex -data-list-register-names
26747
26748 @subsubheading Synopsis
26749
26750 @smallexample
26751 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
26752 @end smallexample
26753
26754 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
26755 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
26756 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
26757 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
26758 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
26759 include empty register names.
26760
26761 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26762
26763 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
26764 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
26765 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
26766
26767 @subsubheading Example
26768
26769 For the PPC MBX board:
26770 @smallexample
26771 (gdb)
26772 -data-list-register-names
26773 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
26774 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
26775 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
26776 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
26777 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
26778 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
26779 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
26780 (gdb)
26781 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
26782 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
26783 (gdb)
26784 @end smallexample
26785
26786 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
26787 @findex -data-list-register-values
26788
26789 @subsubheading Synopsis
26790
26791 @smallexample
26792 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
26793 @end smallexample
26794
26795 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
26796 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
26797 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
26798 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
26799
26800 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
26801
26802 @table @code
26803 @item x
26804 Hexadecimal
26805 @item o
26806 Octal
26807 @item t
26808 Binary
26809 @item d
26810 Decimal
26811 @item r
26812 Raw
26813 @item N
26814 Natural
26815 @end table
26816
26817 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26818
26819 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
26820 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
26821
26822 @subsubheading Example
26823
26824 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
26825 don't appear in the actual output):
26826
26827 @smallexample
26828 (gdb)
26829 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
26830 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
26831 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
26832 (gdb)
26833 -data-list-register-values x
26834 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
26835 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
26836 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
26837 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
26838 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
26839 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
26840 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
26841 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
26842 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
26843 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
26844 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
26845 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
26846 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
26847 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
26848 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
26849 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
26850 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
26851 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
26852 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
26853 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
26854 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
26855 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
26856 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
26857 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
26858 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
26859 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
26860 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
26861 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
26862 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
26863 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
26864 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
26865 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
26866 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
26867 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
26868 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
26869 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
26870 (gdb)
26871 @end smallexample
26872
26873
26874 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
26875 @findex -data-read-memory
26876
26877 @subsubheading Synopsis
26878
26879 @smallexample
26880 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
26881 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
26882 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
26883 @end smallexample
26884
26885 @noindent
26886 where:
26887
26888 @table @samp
26889 @item @var{address}
26890 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
26891 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
26892 quoted using the C convention.
26893
26894 @item @var{word-format}
26895 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
26896 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
26897 ,Output Formats}).
26898
26899 @item @var{word-size}
26900 The size of each memory word in bytes.
26901
26902 @item @var{nr-rows}
26903 The number of rows in the output table.
26904
26905 @item @var{nr-cols}
26906 The number of columns in the output table.
26907
26908 @item @var{aschar}
26909 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
26910 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
26911 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
26912 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
26913
26914 @item @var{byte-offset}
26915 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
26916 @end table
26917
26918 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
26919 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
26920 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
26921 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
26922 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
26923 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
26924 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
26925 @samp{addr}.
26926
26927 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
26928 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
26929 @samp{prev-page}.
26930
26931 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26932
26933 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
26934 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
26935
26936 @subsubheading Example
26937
26938 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
26939 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
26940 word. Display each word in hex.
26941
26942 @smallexample
26943 (gdb)
26944 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
26945 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
26946 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
26947 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
26948 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
26949 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
26950 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
26951 (gdb)
26952 @end smallexample
26953
26954 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
26955 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
26956
26957 @smallexample
26958 (gdb)
26959 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
26960 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
26961 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
26962 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
26963 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
26964 (gdb)
26965 @end smallexample
26966
26967 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
26968 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
26969 used as the non-printable character.
26970
26971 @smallexample
26972 (gdb)
26973 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
26974 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
26975 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
26976 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
26977 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26978 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26979 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26980 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26981 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
26982 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
26983 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
26984 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
26985 (gdb)
26986 @end smallexample
26987
26988 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26989 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
26990 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
26991
26992 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
26993 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
26994
26995 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
26996 @findex -trace-find
26997
26998 @subsubheading Synopsis
26999
27000 @smallexample
27001 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
27002 @end smallexample
27003
27004 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
27005 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
27006 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
27007
27008 @table @samp
27009
27010 @item none
27011 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
27012
27013 @item frame-number
27014 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
27015 that index.
27016
27017 @item tracepoint-number
27018 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
27019 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
27020
27021 @item pc
27022 An address is required as parameter. Finds
27023 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
27024 address.
27025
27026 @item pc-inside-range
27027 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
27028 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
27029 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
27030
27031 @item pc-outside-range
27032 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
27033 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
27034 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
27035
27036 @item line
27037 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
27038 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
27039 the specified location.
27040
27041 @end table
27042
27043 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
27044 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
27045
27046 @table @samp
27047 @item found
27048 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
27049 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
27050
27051 @item traceframe
27052 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
27053 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
27054
27055 @item tracepoint
27056 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
27057 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
27058
27059 @item frame
27060 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
27061 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
27062 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
27063
27064 @end table
27065
27066 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27067
27068 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
27069
27070 @subheading -trace-define-variable
27071 @findex -trace-define-variable
27072
27073 @subsubheading Synopsis
27074
27075 @smallexample
27076 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
27077 @end smallexample
27078
27079 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
27080 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
27081 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
27082 with the @samp{$} character.
27083
27084 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27085
27086 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
27087
27088 @subheading -trace-list-variables
27089 @findex -trace-list-variables
27090
27091 @subsubheading Synopsis
27092
27093 @smallexample
27094 -trace-list-variables
27095 @end smallexample
27096
27097 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
27098 table has the following fields:
27099
27100 @table @samp
27101 @item name
27102 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
27103
27104 @item initial
27105 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
27106 field is always present.
27107
27108 @item current
27109 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
27110 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
27111 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
27112 presently running.
27113
27114 @end table
27115
27116 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27117
27118 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
27119
27120 @subsubheading Example
27121
27122 @smallexample
27123 (gdb)
27124 -trace-list-variables
27125 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
27126 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
27127 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
27128 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
27129 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
27130 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
27131 (gdb)
27132 @end smallexample
27133
27134 @subheading -trace-save
27135 @findex -trace-save
27136
27137 @subsubheading Synopsis
27138
27139 @smallexample
27140 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
27141 @end smallexample
27142
27143 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
27144 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
27145 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
27146 to perform the save.
27147
27148 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27149
27150 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
27151
27152
27153 @subheading -trace-start
27154 @findex -trace-start
27155
27156 @subsubheading Synopsis
27157
27158 @smallexample
27159 -trace-start
27160 @end smallexample
27161
27162 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
27163 have any fields.
27164
27165 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27166
27167 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
27168
27169 @subheading -trace-status
27170 @findex -trace-status
27171
27172 @subsubheading Synopsis
27173
27174 @smallexample
27175 -trace-status
27176 @end smallexample
27177
27178 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
27179 the following fields:
27180
27181 @table @samp
27182
27183 @item supported
27184 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
27185 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
27186 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
27187 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
27188 started. This field is always present.
27189
27190 @item running
27191 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
27192 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
27193 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
27194
27195 @item stop-reason
27196 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
27197 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
27198 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
27199 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
27200 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
27201 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
27202 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
27203 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
27204 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
27205
27206 @item stopping-tracepoint
27207 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
27208 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
27209 @samp{passcount}.
27210
27211 @item frames
27212 @itemx frames-created
27213 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
27214 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
27215 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
27216 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
27217
27218 @item buffer-size
27219 @itemx buffer-free
27220 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
27221 remaining space. These fields are optional.
27222
27223 @item circular
27224 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
27225 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
27226 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
27227 and may fill up.
27228
27229 @item disconnected
27230 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
27231 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
27232 that the trace run will stop.
27233
27234 @end table
27235
27236 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27237
27238 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
27239
27240 @subheading -trace-stop
27241 @findex -trace-stop
27242
27243 @subsubheading Synopsis
27244
27245 @smallexample
27246 -trace-stop
27247 @end smallexample
27248
27249 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
27250 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
27251 @samp{running} fields are not output.
27252
27253 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27254
27255 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
27256
27257
27258 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27259 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
27260 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
27261
27262
27263 @ignore
27264 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
27265 @findex -symbol-info-address
27266
27267 @subsubheading Synopsis
27268
27269 @smallexample
27270 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
27271 @end smallexample
27272
27273 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
27274
27275 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27276
27277 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
27278
27279 @subsubheading Example
27280 N.A.
27281
27282
27283 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
27284 @findex -symbol-info-file
27285
27286 @subsubheading Synopsis
27287
27288 @smallexample
27289 -symbol-info-file
27290 @end smallexample
27291
27292 Show the file for the symbol.
27293
27294 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27295
27296 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
27297 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
27298
27299 @subsubheading Example
27300 N.A.
27301
27302
27303 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
27304 @findex -symbol-info-function
27305
27306 @subsubheading Synopsis
27307
27308 @smallexample
27309 -symbol-info-function
27310 @end smallexample
27311
27312 Show which function the symbol lives in.
27313
27314 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27315
27316 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
27317
27318 @subsubheading Example
27319 N.A.
27320
27321
27322 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
27323 @findex -symbol-info-line
27324
27325 @subsubheading Synopsis
27326
27327 @smallexample
27328 -symbol-info-line
27329 @end smallexample
27330
27331 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
27332
27333 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27334
27335 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
27336 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
27337
27338 @subsubheading Example
27339 N.A.
27340
27341
27342 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
27343 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
27344
27345 @subsubheading Synopsis
27346
27347 @smallexample
27348 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
27349 @end smallexample
27350
27351 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
27352
27353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27354
27355 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
27356
27357 @subsubheading Example
27358 N.A.
27359
27360
27361 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
27362 @findex -symbol-list-functions
27363
27364 @subsubheading Synopsis
27365
27366 @smallexample
27367 -symbol-list-functions
27368 @end smallexample
27369
27370 List the functions in the executable.
27371
27372 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27373
27374 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
27375 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27376
27377 @subsubheading Example
27378 N.A.
27379 @end ignore
27380
27381
27382 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
27383 @findex -symbol-list-lines
27384
27385 @subsubheading Synopsis
27386
27387 @smallexample
27388 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
27389 @end smallexample
27390
27391 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
27392 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
27393 ascending PC order.
27394
27395 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27396
27397 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
27398
27399 @subsubheading Example
27400 @smallexample
27401 (gdb)
27402 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
27403 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
27404 (gdb)
27405 @end smallexample
27406
27407
27408 @ignore
27409 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
27410 @findex -symbol-list-types
27411
27412 @subsubheading Synopsis
27413
27414 @smallexample
27415 -symbol-list-types
27416 @end smallexample
27417
27418 List all the type names.
27419
27420 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27421
27422 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
27423 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27424
27425 @subsubheading Example
27426 N.A.
27427
27428
27429 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
27430 @findex -symbol-list-variables
27431
27432 @subsubheading Synopsis
27433
27434 @smallexample
27435 -symbol-list-variables
27436 @end smallexample
27437
27438 List all the global and static variable names.
27439
27440 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27441
27442 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27443
27444 @subsubheading Example
27445 N.A.
27446
27447
27448 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
27449 @findex -symbol-locate
27450
27451 @subsubheading Synopsis
27452
27453 @smallexample
27454 -symbol-locate
27455 @end smallexample
27456
27457 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27458
27459 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
27460
27461 @subsubheading Example
27462 N.A.
27463
27464
27465 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
27466 @findex -symbol-type
27467
27468 @subsubheading Synopsis
27469
27470 @smallexample
27471 -symbol-type @var{variable}
27472 @end smallexample
27473
27474 Show type of @var{variable}.
27475
27476 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27477
27478 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
27479 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
27480
27481 @subsubheading Example
27482 N.A.
27483 @end ignore
27484
27485
27486 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27487 @node GDB/MI File Commands
27488 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
27489
27490 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
27491 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
27492
27493 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
27494 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
27495
27496 @subsubheading Synopsis
27497
27498 @smallexample
27499 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
27500 @end smallexample
27501
27502 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
27503 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
27504 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
27505 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
27506 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
27507 notification.
27508
27509 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27510
27511 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
27512
27513 @subsubheading Example
27514
27515 @smallexample
27516 (gdb)
27517 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27518 ^done
27519 (gdb)
27520 @end smallexample
27521
27522
27523 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
27524 @findex -file-exec-file
27525
27526 @subsubheading Synopsis
27527
27528 @smallexample
27529 -file-exec-file @var{file}
27530 @end smallexample
27531
27532 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
27533 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
27534 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
27535 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
27536 notification.
27537
27538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27539
27540 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
27541
27542 @subsubheading Example
27543
27544 @smallexample
27545 (gdb)
27546 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27547 ^done
27548 (gdb)
27549 @end smallexample
27550
27551
27552 @ignore
27553 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
27554 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
27555
27556 @subsubheading Synopsis
27557
27558 @smallexample
27559 -file-list-exec-sections
27560 @end smallexample
27561
27562 List the sections of the current executable file.
27563
27564 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27565
27566 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
27567 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
27568 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
27569
27570 @subsubheading Example
27571 N.A.
27572 @end ignore
27573
27574
27575 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
27576 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
27577
27578 @subsubheading Synopsis
27579
27580 @smallexample
27581 -file-list-exec-source-file
27582 @end smallexample
27583
27584 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
27585 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
27586 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
27587 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
27588
27589 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27590
27591 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
27592
27593 @subsubheading Example
27594
27595 @smallexample
27596 (gdb)
27597 123-file-list-exec-source-file
27598 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
27599 (gdb)
27600 @end smallexample
27601
27602
27603 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
27604 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
27605
27606 @subsubheading Synopsis
27607
27608 @smallexample
27609 -file-list-exec-source-files
27610 @end smallexample
27611
27612 List the source files for the current executable.
27613
27614 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
27615 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
27616
27617 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27618
27619 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
27620 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
27621
27622 @subsubheading Example
27623 @smallexample
27624 (gdb)
27625 -file-list-exec-source-files
27626 ^done,files=[
27627 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
27628 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
27629 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
27630 (gdb)
27631 @end smallexample
27632
27633 @ignore
27634 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
27635 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
27636
27637 @subsubheading Synopsis
27638
27639 @smallexample
27640 -file-list-shared-libraries
27641 @end smallexample
27642
27643 List the shared libraries in the program.
27644
27645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27646
27647 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
27648
27649 @subsubheading Example
27650 N.A.
27651
27652
27653 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
27654 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
27655
27656 @subsubheading Synopsis
27657
27658 @smallexample
27659 -file-list-symbol-files
27660 @end smallexample
27661
27662 List symbol files.
27663
27664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27665
27666 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
27667
27668 @subsubheading Example
27669 N.A.
27670 @end ignore
27671
27672
27673 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
27674 @findex -file-symbol-file
27675
27676 @subsubheading Synopsis
27677
27678 @smallexample
27679 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
27680 @end smallexample
27681
27682 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
27683 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
27684 produced, except for a completion notification.
27685
27686 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27687
27688 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
27689
27690 @subsubheading Example
27691
27692 @smallexample
27693 (gdb)
27694 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27695 ^done
27696 (gdb)
27697 @end smallexample
27698
27699 @ignore
27700 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27701 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
27702 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
27703
27704 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
27705
27706 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
27707
27708 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
27709
27710 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
27711
27712 @c @subheading -overlay-map
27713
27714 @c @subheading -overlay-off
27715
27716 @c @subheading -overlay-on
27717
27718 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
27719
27720 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27721 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
27722 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
27723
27724 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
27725
27726 @c @subheading -signal-handle
27727
27728 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
27729
27730 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
27731 @end ignore
27732
27733
27734 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27735 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
27736 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
27737
27738
27739 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
27740 @findex -target-attach
27741
27742 @subsubheading Synopsis
27743
27744 @smallexample
27745 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
27746 @end smallexample
27747
27748 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
27749 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
27750 group, the id previously returned by
27751 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
27752
27753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27754
27755 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
27756
27757 @subsubheading Example
27758 @smallexample
27759 (gdb)
27760 -target-attach 34
27761 =thread-created,id="1"
27762 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
27763 ^done
27764 (gdb)
27765 @end smallexample
27766
27767 @ignore
27768 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
27769 @findex -target-compare-sections
27770
27771 @subsubheading Synopsis
27772
27773 @smallexample
27774 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
27775 @end smallexample
27776
27777 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
27778 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
27779
27780 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27781
27782 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
27783
27784 @subsubheading Example
27785 N.A.
27786 @end ignore
27787
27788
27789 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
27790 @findex -target-detach
27791
27792 @subsubheading Synopsis
27793
27794 @smallexample
27795 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
27796 @end smallexample
27797
27798 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
27799 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
27800 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
27801
27802 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27803
27804 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
27805
27806 @subsubheading Example
27807
27808 @smallexample
27809 (gdb)
27810 -target-detach
27811 ^done
27812 (gdb)
27813 @end smallexample
27814
27815
27816 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
27817 @findex -target-disconnect
27818
27819 @subsubheading Synopsis
27820
27821 @smallexample
27822 -target-disconnect
27823 @end smallexample
27824
27825 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
27826 generally not resumed.
27827
27828 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27829
27830 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
27831
27832 @subsubheading Example
27833
27834 @smallexample
27835 (gdb)
27836 -target-disconnect
27837 ^done
27838 (gdb)
27839 @end smallexample
27840
27841
27842 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
27843 @findex -target-download
27844
27845 @subsubheading Synopsis
27846
27847 @smallexample
27848 -target-download
27849 @end smallexample
27850
27851 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
27852 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
27853
27854 @table @samp
27855 @item section
27856 The name of the section.
27857 @item section-sent
27858 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
27859 @item section-size
27860 The size of the section.
27861 @item total-sent
27862 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
27863 @item total-size
27864 The size of the overall executable to download.
27865 @end table
27866
27867 @noindent
27868 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
27869 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
27870
27871 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
27872 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
27873
27874 @table @samp
27875 @item section
27876 The name of the section.
27877 @item section-size
27878 The size of the section.
27879 @item total-size
27880 The size of the overall executable to download.
27881 @end table
27882
27883 @noindent
27884 At the end, a summary is printed.
27885
27886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27887
27888 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
27889
27890 @subsubheading Example
27891
27892 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
27893 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
27894
27895 @smallexample
27896 (gdb)
27897 -target-download
27898 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
27899 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
27900 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
27901 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
27902 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
27903 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
27904 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
27905 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
27906 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
27907 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
27908 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
27909 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
27910 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
27911 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
27912 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
27913 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
27914 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
27915 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
27916 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
27917 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
27918 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
27919 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
27920 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
27921 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
27922 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
27923 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
27924 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
27925 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
27926 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
27927 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
27928 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
27929 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
27930 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
27931 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
27932 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
27933 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
27934 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
27935 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
27936 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
27937 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
27938 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
27939 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
27940 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
27941 write-rate="429"
27942 (gdb)
27943 @end smallexample
27944
27945
27946 @ignore
27947 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
27948 @findex -target-exec-status
27949
27950 @subsubheading Synopsis
27951
27952 @smallexample
27953 -target-exec-status
27954 @end smallexample
27955
27956 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
27957 not, for instance).
27958
27959 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27960
27961 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27962
27963 @subsubheading Example
27964 N.A.
27965
27966
27967 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
27968 @findex -target-list-available-targets
27969
27970 @subsubheading Synopsis
27971
27972 @smallexample
27973 -target-list-available-targets
27974 @end smallexample
27975
27976 List the possible targets to connect to.
27977
27978 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27979
27980 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
27981
27982 @subsubheading Example
27983 N.A.
27984
27985
27986 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
27987 @findex -target-list-current-targets
27988
27989 @subsubheading Synopsis
27990
27991 @smallexample
27992 -target-list-current-targets
27993 @end smallexample
27994
27995 Describe the current target.
27996
27997 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27998
27999 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
28000 other things).
28001
28002 @subsubheading Example
28003 N.A.
28004
28005
28006 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
28007 @findex -target-list-parameters
28008
28009 @subsubheading Synopsis
28010
28011 @smallexample
28012 -target-list-parameters
28013 @end smallexample
28014
28015 @c ????
28016 @end ignore
28017
28018 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28019
28020 No equivalent.
28021
28022 @subsubheading Example
28023 N.A.
28024
28025
28026 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
28027 @findex -target-select
28028
28029 @subsubheading Synopsis
28030
28031 @smallexample
28032 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
28033 @end smallexample
28034
28035 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
28036
28037 @table @samp
28038 @item @var{type}
28039 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
28040 @item @var{parameters}
28041 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
28042 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
28043 @end table
28044
28045 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
28046 which the target program is, in the following form:
28047
28048 @smallexample
28049 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
28050 args=[@var{arg list}]
28051 @end smallexample
28052
28053 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28054
28055 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
28056
28057 @subsubheading Example
28058
28059 @smallexample
28060 (gdb)
28061 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
28062 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
28063 (gdb)
28064 @end smallexample
28065
28066 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28067 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
28068 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
28069
28070
28071 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
28072 @findex -target-file-put
28073
28074 @subsubheading Synopsis
28075
28076 @smallexample
28077 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
28078 @end smallexample
28079
28080 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
28081 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
28082
28083 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28084
28085 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
28086
28087 @subsubheading Example
28088
28089 @smallexample
28090 (gdb)
28091 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
28092 ^done
28093 (gdb)
28094 @end smallexample
28095
28096
28097 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
28098 @findex -target-file-get
28099
28100 @subsubheading Synopsis
28101
28102 @smallexample
28103 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
28104 @end smallexample
28105
28106 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
28107 on the host system.
28108
28109 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28110
28111 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
28112
28113 @subsubheading Example
28114
28115 @smallexample
28116 (gdb)
28117 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
28118 ^done
28119 (gdb)
28120 @end smallexample
28121
28122
28123 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
28124 @findex -target-file-delete
28125
28126 @subsubheading Synopsis
28127
28128 @smallexample
28129 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
28130 @end smallexample
28131
28132 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
28133
28134 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28135
28136 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
28137
28138 @subsubheading Example
28139
28140 @smallexample
28141 (gdb)
28142 -target-file-delete remotefile
28143 ^done
28144 (gdb)
28145 @end smallexample
28146
28147
28148 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28149 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
28150 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
28151
28152 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
28153
28154 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
28155 @findex -gdb-exit
28156
28157 @subsubheading Synopsis
28158
28159 @smallexample
28160 -gdb-exit
28161 @end smallexample
28162
28163 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
28164
28165 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28166
28167 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
28168
28169 @subsubheading Example
28170
28171 @smallexample
28172 (gdb)
28173 -gdb-exit
28174 ^exit
28175 @end smallexample
28176
28177
28178 @ignore
28179 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
28180 @findex -exec-abort
28181
28182 @subsubheading Synopsis
28183
28184 @smallexample
28185 -exec-abort
28186 @end smallexample
28187
28188 Kill the inferior running program.
28189
28190 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28191
28192 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
28193
28194 @subsubheading Example
28195 N.A.
28196 @end ignore
28197
28198
28199 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
28200 @findex -gdb-set
28201
28202 @subsubheading Synopsis
28203
28204 @smallexample
28205 -gdb-set
28206 @end smallexample
28207
28208 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
28209 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
28210
28211 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28212
28213 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
28214
28215 @subsubheading Example
28216
28217 @smallexample
28218 (gdb)
28219 -gdb-set $foo=3
28220 ^done
28221 (gdb)
28222 @end smallexample
28223
28224
28225 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
28226 @findex -gdb-show
28227
28228 @subsubheading Synopsis
28229
28230 @smallexample
28231 -gdb-show
28232 @end smallexample
28233
28234 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
28235
28236 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28237
28238 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
28239
28240 @subsubheading Example
28241
28242 @smallexample
28243 (gdb)
28244 -gdb-show annotate
28245 ^done,value="0"
28246 (gdb)
28247 @end smallexample
28248
28249 @c @subheading -gdb-source
28250
28251
28252 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
28253 @findex -gdb-version
28254
28255 @subsubheading Synopsis
28256
28257 @smallexample
28258 -gdb-version
28259 @end smallexample
28260
28261 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
28262
28263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28264
28265 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
28266 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
28267
28268 @subsubheading Example
28269
28270 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
28271 @c box in TeX.
28272 @smallexample
28273 (gdb)
28274 -gdb-version
28275 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
28276 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
28277 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
28278 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
28279 ~ certain conditions.
28280 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
28281 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
28282 ~ details.
28283 ~This GDB was configured as
28284 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
28285 ^done
28286 (gdb)
28287 @end smallexample
28288
28289 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
28290 @findex -list-features
28291
28292 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
28293 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
28294 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
28295 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
28296 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
28297 startup.
28298
28299 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
28300 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
28301 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
28302 is given below.
28303
28304 Example output:
28305
28306 @smallexample
28307 (gdb) -list-features
28308 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
28309 @end smallexample
28310
28311 The current list of features is:
28312
28313 @table @samp
28314 @item frozen-varobjs
28315 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
28316 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
28317 of @code{-varobj-create}.
28318 @item pending-breakpoints
28319 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
28320 @item python
28321 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
28322 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
28323 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
28324 @item thread-info
28325 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
28326
28327 @end table
28328
28329 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
28330 @findex -list-target-features
28331
28332 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
28333 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
28334 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
28335 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
28336 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
28337 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
28338 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
28339 Example output:
28340
28341 @smallexample
28342 (gdb) -list-features
28343 ^done,result=["async"]
28344 @end smallexample
28345
28346 The current list of features is:
28347
28348 @table @samp
28349 @item async
28350 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
28351 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
28352 while the target is running.
28353
28354 @end table
28355
28356 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
28357 @findex -list-thread-groups
28358
28359 @subheading Synopsis
28360
28361 @smallexample
28362 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
28363 @end smallexample
28364
28365 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
28366 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
28367 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
28368 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
28369 top-level thread groups.
28370
28371 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
28372 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
28373 available on the target.
28374
28375 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
28376 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
28377 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
28378 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
28379 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
28380 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
28381 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
28382 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
28383
28384 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
28385 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
28386 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
28387 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
28388 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
28389 @samp{threads} field.
28390
28391 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
28392 the following caveats:
28393
28394 @itemize @bullet
28395 @item
28396 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
28397 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
28398 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
28399
28400 @item
28401 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
28402 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
28403 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
28404 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
28405 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
28406 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
28407
28408 @end itemize
28409
28410 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
28411 have the following fields:
28412
28413 @table @code
28414 @item id
28415 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
28416 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
28417 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
28418
28419 @item type
28420 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
28421 valid type.
28422
28423 @item pid
28424 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
28425 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
28426
28427 @item num_children
28428 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
28429 absent for an available thread group.
28430
28431 @item threads
28432 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
28433 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
28434 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
28435
28436 @item cores
28437 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
28438 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
28439 such information is not available.
28440
28441 @item executable
28442 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
28443 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
28444 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
28445
28446 @end table
28447
28448 @subheading Example
28449
28450 @smallexample
28451 @value{GDBP}
28452 -list-thread-groups
28453 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
28454 -list-thread-groups 17
28455 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28456 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
28457 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28458 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28459 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
28460 -list-thread-groups --available
28461 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
28462 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
28463 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
28464 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
28465 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
28466 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
28467 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
28468 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
28469 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
28470 @end smallexample
28471
28472
28473 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
28474 @findex -add-inferior
28475
28476 @subheading Synopsis
28477
28478 @smallexample
28479 -add-inferior
28480 @end smallexample
28481
28482 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
28483 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
28484 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
28485 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
28486 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
28487 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
28488
28489 @subheading Example
28490
28491 @smallexample
28492 @value{GDBP}
28493 -add-inferior
28494 ^done,thread-group="i3"
28495 @end smallexample
28496
28497 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
28498 @findex -interpreter-exec
28499
28500 @subheading Synopsis
28501
28502 @smallexample
28503 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
28504 @end smallexample
28505 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
28506
28507 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
28508
28509 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28510
28511 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
28512
28513 @subheading Example
28514
28515 @smallexample
28516 (gdb)
28517 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
28518 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
28519 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
28520 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
28521 ^done
28522 (gdb)
28523 @end smallexample
28524
28525 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
28526 @findex -inferior-tty-set
28527
28528 @subheading Synopsis
28529
28530 @smallexample
28531 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28532 @end smallexample
28533
28534 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
28535
28536 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28537
28538 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
28539
28540 @subheading Example
28541
28542 @smallexample
28543 (gdb)
28544 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28545 ^done
28546 (gdb)
28547 @end smallexample
28548
28549 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
28550 @findex -inferior-tty-show
28551
28552 @subheading Synopsis
28553
28554 @smallexample
28555 -inferior-tty-show
28556 @end smallexample
28557
28558 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
28559
28560 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28561
28562 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
28563
28564 @subheading Example
28565
28566 @smallexample
28567 (gdb)
28568 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28569 ^done
28570 (gdb)
28571 -inferior-tty-show
28572 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
28573 (gdb)
28574 @end smallexample
28575
28576 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
28577 @findex -enable-timings
28578
28579 @subheading Synopsis
28580
28581 @smallexample
28582 -enable-timings [yes | no]
28583 @end smallexample
28584
28585 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
28586 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
28587 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
28588 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
28589
28590 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28591
28592 No equivalent.
28593
28594 @subheading Example
28595
28596 @smallexample
28597 (gdb)
28598 -enable-timings
28599 ^done
28600 (gdb)
28601 -break-insert main
28602 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28603 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28604 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
28605 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
28606 (gdb)
28607 -enable-timings no
28608 ^done
28609 (gdb)
28610 -exec-run
28611 ^running
28612 (gdb)
28613 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28614 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
28615 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
28616 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
28617 (gdb)
28618 @end smallexample
28619
28620 @node Annotations
28621 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
28622
28623 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
28624 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
28625 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
28626 relatively high level.
28627
28628 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
28629 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
28630
28631 @ignore
28632 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
28633 @end ignore
28634
28635 @menu
28636 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
28637 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
28638 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
28639 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
28640 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
28641 * Annotations for Running::
28642 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
28643 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
28644 @end menu
28645
28646 @node Annotations Overview
28647 @section What is an Annotation?
28648 @cindex annotations
28649
28650 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
28651 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
28652 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
28653 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
28654 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
28655 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
28656 cannot contain newline characters.
28657
28658 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
28659 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
28660 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
28661 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
28662 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
28663 means those three characters as output.
28664
28665 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
28666 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
28667 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
28668 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
28669 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
28670 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
28671 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
28672 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
28673 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
28674
28675 @table @code
28676 @kindex set annotate
28677 @item set annotate @var{level}
28678 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
28679 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
28680
28681 @item show annotate
28682 @kindex show annotate
28683 Show the current annotation level.
28684 @end table
28685
28686 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
28687
28688 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
28689
28690 @smallexample
28691 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
28692 GNU gdb 6.0
28693 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
28694 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
28695 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
28696 under certain conditions.
28697 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
28698 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
28699 for details.
28700 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
28701
28702 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
28703 (@value{GDBP})
28704 ^Z^Zprompt
28705 @kbd{quit}
28706
28707 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
28708 $
28709 @end smallexample
28710
28711 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
28712 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
28713 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
28714 output from @value{GDBN}.
28715
28716 @node Server Prefix
28717 @section The Server Prefix
28718 @cindex server prefix
28719
28720 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
28721 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
28722 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
28723 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
28724 a transparent manner.
28725
28726 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
28727 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
28728 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
28729 @code{print} command.
28730
28731 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
28732 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
28733
28734 @node Prompting
28735 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
28736
28737 @cindex annotations for prompts
28738 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
28739 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
28740 over, etc.
28741
28742 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
28743 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
28744 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
28745 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
28746 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
28747 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
28748 features the following annotations:
28749
28750 @smallexample
28751 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
28752 ^Z^Zprompt
28753 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
28754 @end smallexample
28755
28756 The input types are
28757
28758 @table @code
28759 @findex pre-prompt annotation
28760 @findex prompt annotation
28761 @findex post-prompt annotation
28762 @item prompt
28763 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
28764
28765 @findex pre-commands annotation
28766 @findex commands annotation
28767 @findex post-commands annotation
28768 @item commands
28769 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
28770 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
28771
28772 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
28773 @findex overload-choice annotation
28774 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
28775 @item overload-choice
28776 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
28777
28778 @findex pre-query annotation
28779 @findex query annotation
28780 @findex post-query annotation
28781 @item query
28782 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
28783
28784 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
28785 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
28786 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
28787 @item prompt-for-continue
28788 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
28789 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
28790 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
28791 presence of annotations.
28792 @end table
28793
28794 @node Errors
28795 @section Errors
28796 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
28797
28798 @findex quit annotation
28799 @smallexample
28800 ^Z^Zquit
28801 @end smallexample
28802
28803 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
28804
28805 @findex error annotation
28806 @smallexample
28807 ^Z^Zerror
28808 @end smallexample
28809
28810 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
28811
28812 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
28813 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
28814 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
28815 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
28816 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
28817 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
28818 to the top level.
28819
28820 @findex error-begin annotation
28821 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
28822
28823 @smallexample
28824 ^Z^Zerror-begin
28825 @end smallexample
28826
28827 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
28828 message.
28829
28830 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
28831 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
28832 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
28833
28834 @node Invalidation
28835 @section Invalidation Notices
28836
28837 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
28838 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
28839 changed.
28840
28841 @table @code
28842 @findex frames-invalid annotation
28843 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
28844
28845 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
28846 have changed.
28847
28848 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
28849 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
28850
28851 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
28852 deleted a breakpoint.
28853 @end table
28854
28855 @node Annotations for Running
28856 @section Running the Program
28857 @cindex annotations for running programs
28858
28859 @findex starting annotation
28860 @findex stopping annotation
28861 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
28862 @code{step} or @code{continue},
28863
28864 @smallexample
28865 ^Z^Zstarting
28866 @end smallexample
28867
28868 is output. When the program stops,
28869
28870 @smallexample
28871 ^Z^Zstopped
28872 @end smallexample
28873
28874 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
28875 annotations describe how the program stopped.
28876
28877 @table @code
28878 @findex exited annotation
28879 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
28880 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
28881 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
28882
28883 @findex signalled annotation
28884 @findex signal-name annotation
28885 @findex signal-name-end annotation
28886 @findex signal-string annotation
28887 @findex signal-string-end annotation
28888 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
28889 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
28890 annotation continues:
28891
28892 @smallexample
28893 @var{intro-text}
28894 ^Z^Zsignal-name
28895 @var{name}
28896 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
28897 @var{middle-text}
28898 ^Z^Zsignal-string
28899 @var{string}
28900 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
28901 @var{end-text}
28902 @end smallexample
28903
28904 @noindent
28905 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
28906 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
28907 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
28908 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
28909 user's benefit and have no particular format.
28910
28911 @findex signal annotation
28912 @item ^Z^Zsignal
28913 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
28914 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
28915 terminated with it.
28916
28917 @findex breakpoint annotation
28918 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
28919 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
28920
28921 @findex watchpoint annotation
28922 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
28923 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
28924 @end table
28925
28926 @node Source Annotations
28927 @section Displaying Source
28928 @cindex annotations for source display
28929
28930 @findex source annotation
28931 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
28932
28933 @smallexample
28934 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
28935 @end smallexample
28936
28937 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
28938 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
28939 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
28940 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
28941 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
28942 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
28943 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
28944 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
28945 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
28946 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
28947 depend on the language).
28948
28949 @node JIT Interface
28950 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
28951 @cindex just-in-time compilation
28952 @cindex JIT compilation interface
28953
28954 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
28955 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
28956 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
28957 performance while maintaining platform independence.
28958
28959 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
28960 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
28961 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
28962 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
28963 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
28964 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
28965
28966 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
28967 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
28968 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
28969 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
28970 LLVM JIT.
28971
28972 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
28973 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
28974 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
28975 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
28976 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
28977 out about additional code.
28978
28979 @menu
28980 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
28981 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
28982 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
28983 @end menu
28984
28985 @node Declarations
28986 @section JIT Declarations
28987
28988 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
28989 implement the interface:
28990
28991 @smallexample
28992 typedef enum
28993 @{
28994 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
28995 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
28996 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
28997 @} jit_actions_t;
28998
28999 struct jit_code_entry
29000 @{
29001 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
29002 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
29003 const char *symfile_addr;
29004 uint64_t symfile_size;
29005 @};
29006
29007 struct jit_descriptor
29008 @{
29009 uint32_t version;
29010 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
29011 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
29012 uint32_t action_flag;
29013 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
29014 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
29015 @};
29016
29017 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
29018 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
29019
29020 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
29021 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
29022 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
29023 @end smallexample
29024
29025 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
29026 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
29027 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
29028
29029 @node Registering Code
29030 @section Registering Code
29031
29032 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
29033
29034 @itemize @bullet
29035 @item
29036 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
29037 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
29038
29039 @item
29040 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
29041 file.
29042
29043 @item
29044 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
29045
29046 @item
29047 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
29048
29049 @item
29050 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
29051 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
29052 @end itemize
29053
29054 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
29055 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
29056 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
29057 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
29058
29059 @node Unregistering Code
29060 @section Unregistering Code
29061
29062 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
29063
29064 @itemize @bullet
29065 @item
29066 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
29067
29068 @item
29069 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
29070
29071 @item
29072 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
29073 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
29074 @end itemize
29075
29076 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
29077 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
29078
29079 @node GDB Bugs
29080 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
29081 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
29082 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
29083
29084 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
29085
29086 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
29087 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
29088 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
29089 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
29090
29091 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
29092 information that enables us to fix the bug.
29093
29094 @menu
29095 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
29096 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
29097 @end menu
29098
29099 @node Bug Criteria
29100 @section Have You Found a Bug?
29101 @cindex bug criteria
29102
29103 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
29104
29105 @itemize @bullet
29106 @cindex fatal signal
29107 @cindex debugger crash
29108 @cindex crash of debugger
29109 @item
29110 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
29111 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
29112
29113 @cindex error on valid input
29114 @item
29115 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
29116 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
29117 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
29118
29119 @cindex invalid input
29120 @item
29121 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
29122 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
29123 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
29124 for traditional practice''.
29125
29126 @item
29127 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
29128 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
29129 @end itemize
29130
29131 @node Bug Reporting
29132 @section How to Report Bugs
29133 @cindex bug reports
29134 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
29135
29136 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
29137 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
29138 contact that organization first.
29139
29140 You can find contact information for many support companies and
29141 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
29142 distribution.
29143 @c should add a web page ref...
29144
29145 @ifset BUGURL
29146 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
29147 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
29148 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
29149 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
29150 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
29151 be used.
29152
29153 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
29154 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
29155 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
29156 @samp{bug-gdb}.
29157
29158 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
29159 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
29160 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
29161 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
29162 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
29163 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
29164 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
29165 bug reports to the mailing list.
29166 @end ifset
29167 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
29168 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
29169 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
29170 @end ifclear
29171 @end ifset
29172
29173 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
29174 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
29175 fact or leave it out, state it!
29176
29177 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
29178 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
29179 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
29180 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
29181 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
29182 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
29183 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
29184 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
29185 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
29186
29187 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
29188 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
29189 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
29190 self-contained.
29191
29192 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
29193 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
29194 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
29195 bugs properly.
29196
29197 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
29198
29199 @itemize @bullet
29200 @item
29201 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
29202 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
29203 version}.
29204
29205 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
29206 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
29207
29208 @item
29209 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
29210 version number.
29211
29212 @item
29213 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
29214 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
29215
29216 @item
29217 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
29218 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
29219 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
29220 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
29221 those compilers.
29222
29223 @item
29224 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
29225 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
29226 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
29227 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
29228
29229 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
29230 and then we might not encounter the bug.
29231
29232 @item
29233 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
29234 reproduce the bug.
29235
29236 @item
29237 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
29238 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
29239
29240 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
29241 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
29242 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
29243 a chance to make a mistake.
29244
29245 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
29246 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
29247 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
29248 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
29249 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
29250 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
29251 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
29252 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
29253
29254 @pindex script
29255 @cindex recording a session script
29256 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
29257 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
29258 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
29259 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
29260
29261 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
29262 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
29263
29264 @item
29265 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
29266 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
29267 it by context, not by line number.
29268
29269 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
29270 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
29271
29272 @end itemize
29273
29274 Here are some things that are not necessary:
29275
29276 @itemize @bullet
29277 @item
29278 A description of the envelope of the bug.
29279
29280 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
29281 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
29282 changes will not affect it.
29283
29284 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
29285 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
29286 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
29287 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
29288
29289 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
29290 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
29291 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
29292 less time, and so on.
29293
29294 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
29295 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
29296
29297 @item
29298 A patch for the bug.
29299
29300 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
29301 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
29302 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
29303 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
29304
29305 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
29306 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
29307 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
29308 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
29309
29310 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
29311 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
29312 help us to understand.
29313
29314 @item
29315 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
29316
29317 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
29318 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
29319 @end itemize
29320
29321 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
29322 @c and consists of the two following files:
29323 @c rluser.texinfo
29324 @c inc-hist.texinfo
29325 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
29326 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
29327 @include rluser.texi
29328 @include inc-hist.texinfo
29329
29330
29331 @node Formatting Documentation
29332 @appendix Formatting Documentation
29333
29334 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
29335 @cindex reference card
29336 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
29337 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
29338 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
29339 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
29340 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
29341 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
29342
29343 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
29344 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
29345
29346 @smallexample
29347 make refcard.dvi
29348 @end smallexample
29349
29350 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
29351 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
29352 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
29353 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
29354 your @sc{dvi} output program.
29355
29356 @cindex documentation
29357
29358 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
29359 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
29360 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
29361 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
29362 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
29363 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
29364
29365 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
29366 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
29367 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
29368 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
29369 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
29370 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
29371 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
29372 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
29373
29374 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
29375 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
29376 @code{makeinfo}.
29377
29378 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
29379 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
29380 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
29381
29382 @smallexample
29383 cd gdb
29384 make gdb.info
29385 @end smallexample
29386
29387 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
29388 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
29389 Texinfo definitions file.
29390
29391 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
29392 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
29393 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
29394 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
29395 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
29396 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
29397 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
29398
29399 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
29400 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
29401 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
29402 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
29403 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
29404 directory.
29405
29406 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
29407 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
29408 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
29409 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
29410
29411 @smallexample
29412 make gdb.dvi
29413 @end smallexample
29414
29415 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
29416
29417 @node Installing GDB
29418 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
29419 @cindex installation
29420
29421 @menu
29422 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
29423 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
29424 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
29425 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
29426 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
29427 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
29428 @end menu
29429
29430 @node Requirements
29431 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
29432 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
29433
29434 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
29435 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
29436
29437 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
29438 @table @asis
29439 @item ISO C90 compiler
29440 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
29441 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
29442
29443 @end table
29444
29445 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
29446 @table @asis
29447 @item Expat
29448 @anchor{Expat}
29449 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
29450 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
29451 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
29452 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
29453 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
29454 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
29455
29456 Expat is used for:
29457
29458 @itemize @bullet
29459 @item
29460 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
29461 @item
29462 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
29463 @item
29464 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
29465 @item
29466 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
29467 @end itemize
29468
29469 @item zlib
29470 @cindex compressed debug sections
29471 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
29472 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
29473 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
29474 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
29475 information in such binaries.
29476
29477 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
29478 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
29479 @url{http://zlib.net}.
29480
29481 @item iconv
29482 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
29483 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
29484 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
29485 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
29486
29487 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
29488 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
29489 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
29490
29491 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
29492 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
29493 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
29494 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
29495 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
29496 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
29497 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
29498 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
29499 @end table
29500
29501 @node Running Configure
29502 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
29503 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
29504 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
29505 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
29506 build the @code{gdb} program.
29507 @iftex
29508 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
29509 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
29510 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
29511 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
29512 @end iftex
29513
29514 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
29515 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
29516 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
29517
29518 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
29519 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
29520
29521 @table @code
29522 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
29523 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
29524
29525 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
29526 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
29527
29528 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
29529 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
29530
29531 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
29532 @sc{gnu} include files
29533
29534 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
29535 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
29536
29537 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
29538 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
29539
29540 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
29541 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
29542
29543 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
29544 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
29545
29546 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
29547 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
29548 @end table
29549
29550 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
29551 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
29552 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
29553
29554 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
29555 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
29556 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
29557 argument.
29558
29559 For example:
29560
29561 @smallexample
29562 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
29563 ./configure @var{host}
29564 make
29565 @end smallexample
29566
29567 @noindent
29568 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
29569 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
29570 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
29571 correct value by examining your system.)
29572
29573 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
29574 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
29575 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
29576 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
29577
29578 @need 750
29579 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
29580 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
29581 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
29582
29583 @smallexample
29584 sh configure @var{host}
29585 @end smallexample
29586
29587 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
29588 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
29589 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
29590 @file{configure}
29591 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
29592 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
29593
29594 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
29595 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
29596 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
29597 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
29598 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
29599 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
29600 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
29601 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
29602 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
29603
29604 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
29605 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
29606 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
29607 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
29608 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
29609
29610 @node Separate Objdir
29611 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
29612
29613 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
29614 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
29615 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
29616 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
29617 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
29618 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
29619 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
29620 program specified there.
29621
29622 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
29623 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
29624 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
29625 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
29626 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
29627 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
29628
29629 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
29630 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
29631
29632 @smallexample
29633 @group
29634 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
29635 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
29636 cd ../gdb-sun4
29637 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
29638 make
29639 @end group
29640 @end smallexample
29641
29642 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
29643 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
29644 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
29645 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
29646 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
29647 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
29648
29649 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
29650 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
29651 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
29652 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
29653 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
29654
29655 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
29656 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
29657 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
29658 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
29659 You specify a cross-debugging target by
29660 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
29661
29662 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
29663 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
29664 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
29665
29666 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
29667 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
29668 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
29669 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
29670 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
29671
29672 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
29673 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
29674 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
29675 with each other.
29676
29677 @node Config Names
29678 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
29679
29680 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
29681 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
29682 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
29683 of information in the following pattern:
29684
29685 @smallexample
29686 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
29687 @end smallexample
29688
29689 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
29690 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
29691 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
29692
29693 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
29694 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
29695 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
29696 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
29697 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
29698 abbreviations---for example:
29699
29700 @smallexample
29701 % sh config.sub i386-linux
29702 i386-pc-linux-gnu
29703 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
29704 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
29705 % sh config.sub hp9k700
29706 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
29707 % sh config.sub sun4
29708 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
29709 % sh config.sub sun3
29710 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
29711 % sh config.sub i986v
29712 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
29713 @end smallexample
29714
29715 @noindent
29716 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
29717 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
29718
29719 @node Configure Options
29720 @section @file{configure} Options
29721
29722 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
29723 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
29724 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
29725 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
29726
29727 @smallexample
29728 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
29729 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
29730 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
29731 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
29732 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
29733 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
29734 @var{host}
29735 @end smallexample
29736
29737 @noindent
29738 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
29739 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
29740 @samp{--}.
29741
29742 @table @code
29743 @item --help
29744 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
29745
29746 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
29747 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
29748 @file{@var{dir}}.
29749
29750 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
29751 Configure the source to install programs under directory
29752 @file{@var{dir}}.
29753
29754 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
29755 @need 2000
29756 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
29757 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
29758 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
29759 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
29760 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
29761 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
29762 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
29763 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
29764 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
29765 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
29766 @var{dirname}.
29767
29768 @item --norecursion
29769 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
29770 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
29771
29772 @item --target=@var{target}
29773 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
29774 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
29775 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
29776
29777 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
29778
29779 @item @var{host} @dots{}
29780 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
29781
29782 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
29783 @end table
29784
29785 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
29786 needed for special purposes only.
29787
29788 @node System-wide configuration
29789 @section System-wide configuration and settings
29790 @cindex system-wide init file
29791
29792 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
29793 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
29794 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
29795
29796 Here is the corresponding configure option:
29797
29798 @table @code
29799 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
29800 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
29801 @var{file}.
29802 @end table
29803
29804 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
29805 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
29806
29807 @itemize @bullet
29808 @item
29809 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
29810 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
29811 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
29812 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
29813 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
29814 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
29815
29816 @item
29817 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
29818 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
29819 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
29820 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
29821 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
29822 @end itemize
29823
29824 @node Maintenance Commands
29825 @appendix Maintenance Commands
29826 @cindex maintenance commands
29827 @cindex internal commands
29828
29829 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
29830 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
29831 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
29832 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
29833 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
29834
29835 @table @code
29836 @kindex maint agent
29837 @kindex maint agent-eval
29838 @item maint agent @var{expression}
29839 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
29840 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
29841 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
29842 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
29843 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
29844 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
29845 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
29846 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
29847 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
29848 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
29849 addition and return the sum.
29850
29851 @kindex maint info breakpoints
29852 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
29853 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
29854 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
29855 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
29856 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
29857 is shown:
29858
29859 @table @code
29860 @item breakpoint
29861 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
29862
29863 @item watchpoint
29864 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
29865
29866 @item longjmp
29867 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
29868 @code{longjmp} calls.
29869
29870 @item longjmp resume
29871 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
29872
29873 @item until
29874 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
29875
29876 @item finish
29877 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
29878
29879 @item shlib events
29880 Shared library events.
29881
29882 @end table
29883
29884 @kindex set displaced-stepping
29885 @kindex show displaced-stepping
29886 @cindex displaced stepping support
29887 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
29888 @item set displaced-stepping
29889 @itemx show displaced-stepping
29890 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
29891 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
29892 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
29893 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
29894 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
29895
29896 @table @code
29897 @item set displaced-stepping on
29898 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
29899 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
29900
29901 @item set displaced-stepping off
29902 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
29903 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
29904
29905 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
29906 @item set displaced-stepping auto
29907 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
29908 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
29909 architecture supports displaced stepping.
29910 @end table
29911
29912 @kindex maint check-symtabs
29913 @item maint check-symtabs
29914 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
29915
29916 @kindex maint cplus first_component
29917 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
29918 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
29919
29920 @kindex maint cplus namespace
29921 @item maint cplus namespace
29922 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
29923
29924 @kindex maint demangle
29925 @item maint demangle @var{name}
29926 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
29927
29928 @kindex maint deprecate
29929 @kindex maint undeprecate
29930 @cindex deprecated commands
29931 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
29932 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
29933 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
29934 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
29935 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
29936 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
29937 the replacement as part of the warning.
29938
29939 @kindex maint dump-me
29940 @item maint dump-me
29941 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
29942 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
29943 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
29944 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
29945
29946 @kindex maint internal-error
29947 @kindex maint internal-warning
29948 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
29949 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
29950 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
29951 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
29952 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
29953 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
29954 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
29955 @value{GDBN} session.
29956
29957 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
29958 used as the text of the error or warning message.
29959
29960 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
29961
29962 @smallexample
29963 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
29964 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
29965 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
29966 debugging may prove unreliable.
29967 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
29968 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
29969 (@value{GDBP})
29970 @end smallexample
29971
29972 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
29973 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
29974
29975 @kindex maint set internal-error
29976 @kindex maint show internal-error
29977 @kindex maint set internal-warning
29978 @kindex maint show internal-warning
29979 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
29980 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
29981 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
29982 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
29983 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
29984 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
29985 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
29986 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
29987 described in the table below.
29988
29989 @table @samp
29990 @item quit
29991 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
29992 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
29993
29994 @item corefile
29995 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
29996 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
29997 @end table
29998
29999 @kindex maint packet
30000 @item maint packet @var{text}
30001 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
30002 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
30003 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
30004 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
30005 checksum.
30006
30007 @kindex maint print architecture
30008 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30009 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
30010 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
30011
30012 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
30013 @item maint print c-tdesc
30014 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
30015 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
30016 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
30017
30018 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
30019 @item maint print dummy-frames
30020 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
30021
30022 @smallexample
30023 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
30024 @dots{}
30025 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
30026 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
30027 58 return (a + b);
30028 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
30029 @dots{}
30030 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
30031 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
30032 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
30033 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
30034 (@value{GDBP})
30035 @end smallexample
30036
30037 Takes an optional file parameter.
30038
30039 @kindex maint print registers
30040 @kindex maint print raw-registers
30041 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
30042 @kindex maint print register-groups
30043 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30044 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30045 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30046 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30047 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
30048
30049 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
30050 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
30051 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
30052 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
30053 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
30054 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
30055 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
30056
30057 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
30058 write the information.
30059
30060 @kindex maint print reggroups
30061 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30062 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
30063 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
30064 information.
30065
30066 The register groups info looks like this:
30067
30068 @smallexample
30069 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
30070 Group Type
30071 general user
30072 float user
30073 all user
30074 vector user
30075 system user
30076 save internal
30077 restore internal
30078 @end smallexample
30079
30080 @kindex flushregs
30081 @item flushregs
30082 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
30083
30084 @kindex maint print objfiles
30085 @cindex info for known object files
30086 @item maint print objfiles
30087 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
30088 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
30089 and symtabs.
30090
30091 @kindex maint print section-scripts
30092 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
30093 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
30094 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
30095 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
30096 matching @var{regexp}.
30097 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
30098 and the full path if known.
30099 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
30100
30101 @kindex maint print statistics
30102 @cindex bcache statistics
30103 @item maint print statistics
30104 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
30105 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
30106 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
30107 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
30108 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
30109 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
30110 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
30111 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
30112 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
30113 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
30114 lengths.
30115
30116 @kindex maint print target-stack
30117 @cindex target stack description
30118 @item maint print target-stack
30119 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
30120 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
30121 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
30122 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
30123 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
30124 address.
30125
30126 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
30127 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
30128
30129 @kindex maint print type
30130 @cindex type chain of a data type
30131 @item maint print type @var{expr}
30132 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
30133 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
30134 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
30135 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
30136 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
30137
30138 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
30139 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
30140 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
30141 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
30142 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
30143 information.
30144
30145 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
30146 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
30147 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
30148 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
30149 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
30150 always see the disassembly form.
30151
30152 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
30153
30154 @smallexample
30155 (gdb) info addr argc
30156 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
30157 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
30158 @end smallexample
30159
30160 For more information on these expressions, see
30161 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
30162
30163 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
30164 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
30165 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
30166 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
30167 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
30168
30169 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
30170 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
30171 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
30172 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
30173 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
30174 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
30175 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
30176 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
30177 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
30178
30179 @kindex maint set profile
30180 @kindex maint show profile
30181 @cindex profiling GDB
30182 @item maint set profile
30183 @itemx maint show profile
30184 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
30185
30186 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
30187 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
30188 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
30189 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
30190 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
30191 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
30192 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
30193
30194 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
30195 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
30196
30197 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
30198 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
30199 @cindex hardware debug registers
30200 @item maint set show-debug-regs
30201 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
30202 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
30203 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
30204 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
30205 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
30206 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
30207
30208 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
30209 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
30210 @item maint set show-all-tib
30211 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
30212 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
30213 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
30214 command.
30215
30216 @kindex maint space
30217 @cindex memory used by commands
30218 @item maint space
30219 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
30220 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
30221 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
30222 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
30223 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
30224
30225 @kindex maint time
30226 @cindex time of command execution
30227 @item maint time
30228 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
30229 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
30230 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
30231 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
30232 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
30233 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
30234 it's not possibly currently
30235 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
30236 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
30237
30238 @kindex maint translate-address
30239 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
30240 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
30241 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
30242 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
30243 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
30244 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
30245 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
30246
30247 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
30248 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
30249 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
30250
30251 @end table
30252
30253 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
30254 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
30255
30256 @table @code
30257 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
30258 @kindex set watchdog
30259 @cindex watchdog timer
30260 @cindex timeout for commands
30261 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
30262 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
30263 reports and error and the command is aborted.
30264
30265 @item show watchdog
30266 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
30267 @end table
30268
30269 @node Remote Protocol
30270 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
30271
30272 @menu
30273 * Overview::
30274 * Packets::
30275 * Stop Reply Packets::
30276 * General Query Packets::
30277 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
30278 * Tracepoint Packets::
30279 * Host I/O Packets::
30280 * Interrupts::
30281 * Notification Packets::
30282 * Remote Non-Stop::
30283 * Packet Acknowledgment::
30284 * Examples::
30285 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
30286 * Library List Format::
30287 * Memory Map Format::
30288 * Thread List Format::
30289 @end menu
30290
30291 @node Overview
30292 @section Overview
30293
30294 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
30295 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
30296 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
30297 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
30298
30299 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
30300 transmitted and received data, respectively.
30301
30302 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
30303 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
30304 @cindex remote serial protocol
30305 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
30306 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
30307 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
30308 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
30309 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
30310
30311 @smallexample
30312 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
30313 @end smallexample
30314 @noindent
30315
30316 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
30317 @noindent
30318 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
30319 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
30320 eight bit unsigned checksum).
30321
30322 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
30323 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
30324
30325 @smallexample
30326 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
30327 @end smallexample
30328
30329 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
30330 @noindent
30331 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
30332 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
30333 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
30334
30335 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
30336 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
30337 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
30338 retransmission):
30339
30340 @smallexample
30341 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
30342 <- @code{+}
30343 @end smallexample
30344 @noindent
30345
30346 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
30347 once a connection is established.
30348 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
30349
30350 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
30351 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
30352 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
30353 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
30354 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
30355 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
30356 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
30357
30358 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
30359 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
30360 exceptions).
30361
30362 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
30363 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
30364 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
30365 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
30366
30367 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
30368 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
30369 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
30370
30371 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
30372 @anchor{Binary Data}
30373 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
30374 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
30375 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
30376 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
30377 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
30378 binary data.
30379
30380 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
30381 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
30382 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
30383 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
30384 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
30385 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
30386 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
30387 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
30388 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
30389 (described next).
30390
30391 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
30392 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
30393 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
30394 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
30395 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
30396 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
30397 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
30398 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
30399 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
30400 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
30401 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
30402 3}} more times.
30403
30404 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
30405 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
30406 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
30407 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
30408 @samp{0*"00}.
30409
30410 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
30411 error number. That number is not well defined.
30412
30413 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
30414 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
30415 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
30416 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
30417 on that response.
30418
30419 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
30420 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
30421 optional.
30422
30423 @node Packets
30424 @section Packets
30425
30426 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
30427 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
30428 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
30429 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
30430
30431 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
30432 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
30433 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
30434 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
30435 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
30436 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
30437 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
30438 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
30439 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
30440 @var{baz}.
30441
30442 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
30443 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
30444 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
30445 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
30446 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
30447 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
30448 pick any thread.
30449
30450 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
30451 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
30452 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
30453 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
30454 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
30455 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
30456 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
30457 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
30458 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
30459 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
30460 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
30461 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
30462 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
30463
30464 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
30465 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
30466 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
30467 more information.
30468
30469 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
30470 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
30471
30472 Here are the packet descriptions.
30473
30474 @table @samp
30475
30476 @item !
30477 @cindex @samp{!} packet
30478 @anchor{extended mode}
30479 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
30480 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
30481 debugged.
30482
30483 Reply:
30484 @table @samp
30485 @item OK
30486 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
30487 @end table
30488
30489 @item ?
30490 @cindex @samp{?} packet
30491 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
30492 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
30493 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
30494
30495 Reply:
30496 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30497
30498 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
30499 @cindex @samp{A} packet
30500 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
30501 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
30502 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
30503
30504 Reply:
30505 @table @samp
30506 @item OK
30507 The arguments were set.
30508 @item E @var{NN}
30509 An error occurred.
30510 @end table
30511
30512 @item b @var{baud}
30513 @cindex @samp{b} packet
30514 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
30515 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
30516
30517 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
30518 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
30519 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
30520
30521 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
30522 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
30523 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
30524 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
30525 of view, nothing actually happened.}
30526
30527 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
30528 @cindex @samp{B} packet
30529 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
30530 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
30531
30532 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
30533 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
30534
30535 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
30536 @anchor{bc}
30537 @item bc
30538 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
30539 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30540
30541 Reply:
30542 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30543
30544 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
30545 @anchor{bs}
30546 @item bs
30547 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
30548 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30549
30550 Reply:
30551 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30552
30553 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
30554 @cindex @samp{c} packet
30555 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
30556 resume at current address.
30557
30558 Reply:
30559 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30560
30561 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
30562 @cindex @samp{C} packet
30563 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
30564 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
30565
30566 Reply:
30567 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30568
30569 @item d
30570 @cindex @samp{d} packet
30571 Toggle debug flag.
30572
30573 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
30574 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
30575
30576 @item D
30577 @itemx D;@var{pid}
30578 @cindex @samp{D} packet
30579 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
30580 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
30581 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
30582
30583 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
30584 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
30585 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
30586 big-endian hex string.
30587
30588 Reply:
30589 @table @samp
30590 @item OK
30591 for success
30592 @item E @var{NN}
30593 for an error
30594 @end table
30595
30596 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
30597 @cindex @samp{F} packet
30598 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
30599 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
30600 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
30601
30602 @item g
30603 @anchor{read registers packet}
30604 @cindex @samp{g} packet
30605 Read general registers.
30606
30607 Reply:
30608 @table @samp
30609 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
30610 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
30611 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
30612 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
30613 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
30614 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
30615 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
30616 @item E @var{NN}
30617 for an error.
30618 @end table
30619
30620 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
30621 @cindex @samp{G} packet
30622 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
30623 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
30624
30625 Reply:
30626 @table @samp
30627 @item OK
30628 for success
30629 @item E @var{NN}
30630 for an error
30631 @end table
30632
30633 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
30634 @cindex @samp{H} packet
30635 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
30636 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
30637 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
30638 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
30639 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30640
30641 Reply:
30642 @table @samp
30643 @item OK
30644 for success
30645 @item E @var{NN}
30646 for an error
30647 @end table
30648
30649 @c FIXME: JTC:
30650 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
30651 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
30652 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
30653 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
30654 @c described. For example:
30655 @c
30656 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
30657 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
30658 @c otherwise returns current registers.
30659 @c
30660 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
30661 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
30662 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
30663
30664 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
30665 @anchor{cycle step packet}
30666 @cindex @samp{i} packet
30667 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
30668 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
30669 step starting at that address.
30670
30671 @item I
30672 @cindex @samp{I} packet
30673 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
30674 step packet}.
30675
30676 @item k
30677 @cindex @samp{k} packet
30678 Kill request.
30679
30680 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
30681 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
30682 thread?)}.
30683
30684 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
30685 @cindex @samp{m} packet
30686 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
30687 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
30688
30689 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
30690 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
30691 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
30692 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
30693 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
30694 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
30695 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
30696 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
30697
30698 Reply:
30699 @table @samp
30700 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
30701 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
30702 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
30703 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
30704 @item E @var{NN}
30705 @var{NN} is errno
30706 @end table
30707
30708 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30709 @cindex @samp{M} packet
30710 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
30711 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
30712 hexadecimal number.
30713
30714 Reply:
30715 @table @samp
30716 @item OK
30717 for success
30718 @item E @var{NN}
30719 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
30720 written).
30721 @end table
30722
30723 @item p @var{n}
30724 @cindex @samp{p} packet
30725 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
30726 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
30727 register value is encoded.
30728
30729 Reply:
30730 @table @samp
30731 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
30732 the register's value
30733 @item E @var{NN}
30734 for an error
30735 @item
30736 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
30737 @end table
30738
30739 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
30740 @anchor{write register packet}
30741 @cindex @samp{P} packet
30742 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
30743 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
30744 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
30745
30746 Reply:
30747 @table @samp
30748 @item OK
30749 for success
30750 @item E @var{NN}
30751 for an error
30752 @end table
30753
30754 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
30755 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
30756 @cindex @samp{q} packet
30757 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
30758 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
30759 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
30760
30761 @item r
30762 @cindex @samp{r} packet
30763 Reset the entire system.
30764
30765 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
30766
30767 @item R @var{XX}
30768 @cindex @samp{R} packet
30769 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
30770 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30771
30772 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
30773
30774 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
30775 @cindex @samp{s} packet
30776 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
30777 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
30778
30779 Reply:
30780 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30781
30782 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
30783 @anchor{step with signal packet}
30784 @cindex @samp{S} packet
30785 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
30786 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
30787
30788 Reply:
30789 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30790
30791 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
30792 @cindex @samp{t} packet
30793 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
30794 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
30795 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
30796
30797 @item T @var{thread-id}
30798 @cindex @samp{T} packet
30799 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
30800
30801 Reply:
30802 @table @samp
30803 @item OK
30804 thread is still alive
30805 @item E @var{NN}
30806 thread is dead
30807 @end table
30808
30809 @item v
30810 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
30811 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
30812
30813 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
30814 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
30815 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
30816 The process ID is a
30817 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
30818 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
30819 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
30820
30821 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
30822 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
30823 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
30824 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
30825 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
30826 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
30827 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
30828 @c stopping or restarting threads.
30829
30830 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30831
30832 Reply:
30833 @table @samp
30834 @item E @var{nn}
30835 for an error
30836 @item @r{Any stop packet}
30837 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30838 @item OK
30839 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
30840 @end table
30841
30842 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
30843 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
30844 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
30845 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
30846 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
30847 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
30848 in their current state in non-stop mode.
30849 Specifying multiple
30850 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
30851 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30852
30853 Currently supported actions are:
30854
30855 @table @samp
30856 @item c
30857 Continue.
30858 @item C @var{sig}
30859 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
30860 @item s
30861 Step.
30862 @item S @var{sig}
30863 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
30864 @item t
30865 Stop.
30866 @end table
30867
30868 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
30869 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
30870 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
30871
30872 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
30873 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
30874 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
30875 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
30876 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
30877 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
30878 as an implementation detail.
30879
30880 Reply:
30881 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30882
30883 @item vCont?
30884 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
30885 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
30886
30887 Reply:
30888 @table @samp
30889 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
30890 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
30891 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
30892 @item
30893 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
30894 @end table
30895
30896 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
30897 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
30898 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
30899 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
30900
30901 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
30902 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
30903 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
30904 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
30905 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
30906 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
30907 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
30908 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
30909 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
30910 packet is received.
30911
30912 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
30913 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
30914 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
30915 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
30916 @var{thread-id}.
30917
30918 Reply:
30919 @table @samp
30920 @item OK
30921 for success
30922 @item E @var{NN}
30923 for an error
30924 @end table
30925
30926 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30927 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
30928 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
30929 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
30930 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
30931 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
30932 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
30933 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
30934 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
30935 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
30936 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
30937 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
30938
30939
30940 Reply:
30941 @table @samp
30942 @item OK
30943 for success
30944 @item E.memtype
30945 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
30946 @item E @var{NN}
30947 for an error
30948 @end table
30949
30950 @item vFlashDone
30951 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
30952 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
30953 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
30954 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
30955 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
30956 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
30957 request is completed.
30958
30959 @item vKill;@var{pid}
30960 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
30961 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
30962 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
30963 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
30964 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
30965
30966 Reply:
30967 @table @samp
30968 @item E @var{nn}
30969 for an error
30970 @item OK
30971 for success
30972 @end table
30973
30974 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
30975 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
30976 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
30977 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
30978 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
30979 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
30980 state.
30981
30982 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
30983
30984 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30985
30986 Reply:
30987 @table @samp
30988 @item E @var{nn}
30989 for an error
30990 @item @r{Any stop packet}
30991 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30992 @end table
30993
30994 @item vStopped
30995 @anchor{vStopped packet}
30996 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
30997
30998 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
30999 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
31000
31001 Reply:
31002 @table @samp
31003 @item @r{Any stop packet}
31004 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
31005 @item OK
31006 if there are no unreported stop events
31007 @end table
31008
31009 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31010 @anchor{X packet}
31011 @cindex @samp{X} packet
31012 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
31013 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
31014 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
31015
31016 Reply:
31017 @table @samp
31018 @item OK
31019 for success
31020 @item E @var{NN}
31021 for an error
31022 @end table
31023
31024 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
31025 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
31026 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
31027 @cindex @samp{z} packet
31028 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
31029 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
31030 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
31031
31032 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
31033 separately.
31034
31035 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
31036 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
31037 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
31038 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
31039 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
31040 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
31041
31042 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31043 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31044 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
31045 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
31046 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
31047 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
31048
31049 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
31050 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
31051 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
31052 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
31053 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
31054 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
31055 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
31056
31057 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
31058 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
31059 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
31060 target, is not defined.}
31061
31062 Reply:
31063 @table @samp
31064 @item OK
31065 success
31066 @item
31067 not supported
31068 @item E @var{NN}
31069 for an error
31070 @end table
31071
31072 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31073 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31074 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
31075 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
31076 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
31077 address @var{addr}.
31078
31079 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
31080 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
31081 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
31082
31083 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
31084 movement.}
31085
31086 Reply:
31087 @table @samp
31088 @item OK
31089 success
31090 @item
31091 not supported
31092 @item E @var{NN}
31093 for an error
31094 @end table
31095
31096 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31097 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31098 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
31099 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
31100 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
31101 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
31102
31103 Reply:
31104 @table @samp
31105 @item OK
31106 success
31107 @item
31108 not supported
31109 @item E @var{NN}
31110 for an error
31111 @end table
31112
31113 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31114 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31115 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
31116 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
31117 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
31118 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
31119
31120 Reply:
31121 @table @samp
31122 @item OK
31123 success
31124 @item
31125 not supported
31126 @item E @var{NN}
31127 for an error
31128 @end table
31129
31130 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31131 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31132 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
31133 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
31134 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
31135 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
31136
31137 Reply:
31138 @table @samp
31139 @item OK
31140 success
31141 @item
31142 not supported
31143 @item E @var{NN}
31144 for an error
31145 @end table
31146
31147 @end table
31148
31149 @node Stop Reply Packets
31150 @section Stop Reply Packets
31151 @cindex stop reply packets
31152
31153 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
31154 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
31155 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
31156 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
31157 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
31158 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
31159 @value{GDBN} source code.
31160
31161 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
31162 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
31163 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
31164 components.
31165
31166 @table @samp
31167
31168 @item S @var{AA}
31169 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
31170 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
31171 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
31172
31173 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
31174 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
31175 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
31176 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
31177 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
31178 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
31179 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
31180 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
31181
31182 @itemize @bullet
31183 @item
31184 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
31185 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
31186 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
31187 two-digit hex number.
31188
31189 @item
31190 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
31191 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31192
31193 @item
31194 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
31195 the core on which the stop event was detected.
31196
31197 @item
31198 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
31199 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
31200 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
31201 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
31202
31203 @item
31204 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
31205 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
31206 future.
31207 @end itemize
31208
31209 The currently defined stop reasons are:
31210
31211 @table @samp
31212 @item watch
31213 @itemx rwatch
31214 @itemx awatch
31215 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
31216 hex.
31217
31218 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
31219 @item library
31220 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
31221 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
31222 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
31223
31224 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
31225 @item replaylog
31226 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
31227 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
31228 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
31229 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
31230 for more information.
31231 @end table
31232
31233 @item W @var{AA}
31234 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
31235 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
31236 applicable to certain targets.
31237
31238 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
31239 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
31240 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
31241 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
31242
31243 @item X @var{AA}
31244 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
31245 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
31246
31247 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
31248 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
31249 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
31250 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
31251
31252 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
31253 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
31254 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
31255 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
31256 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
31257
31258 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
31259 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
31260 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
31261 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
31262 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
31263 system calls.
31264
31265 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
31266 this very system call.
31267
31268 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
31269 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
31270 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
31271 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
31272 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
31273 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
31274
31275 @end table
31276
31277 @node General Query Packets
31278 @section General Query Packets
31279 @cindex remote query requests
31280
31281 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
31282 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
31283 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
31284 sending information to and from the stub.
31285
31286 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
31287 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
31288 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
31289 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
31290 conventions:
31291
31292 @itemize @bullet
31293 @item
31294 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
31295 @item
31296 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
31297 letter.
31298 @item
31299 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
31300 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
31301 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
31302 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
31303 @end itemize
31304
31305 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
31306 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
31307 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
31308 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
31309 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
31310 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
31311 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
31312 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
31313 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
31314 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
31315 packet.}.
31316
31317 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
31318 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
31319 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
31320 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
31321 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
31322
31323 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
31324
31325 @table @samp
31326
31327 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
31328 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
31329 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
31330 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
31331 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
31332 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
31333 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
31334 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
31335 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
31336 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
31337 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
31338
31339 @item qC
31340 @cindex current thread, remote request
31341 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
31342 Return the current thread ID.
31343
31344 Reply:
31345 @table @samp
31346 @item QC @var{thread-id}
31347 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
31348 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31349 @item @r{(anything else)}
31350 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
31351 @end table
31352
31353 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
31354 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
31355 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
31356 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
31357 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
31358 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
31359 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
31360
31361 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
31362 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
31363 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
31364 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
31365 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
31366 detect trailing zeros.
31367
31368 Reply:
31369 @table @samp
31370 @item E @var{NN}
31371 An error (such as memory fault)
31372 @item C @var{crc32}
31373 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
31374 @end table
31375
31376 @item qfThreadInfo
31377 @itemx qsThreadInfo
31378 @cindex list active threads, remote request
31379 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
31380 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
31381 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
31382 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
31383 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
31384 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
31385 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
31386 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
31387
31388 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
31389
31390 Reply:
31391 @table @samp
31392 @item m @var{thread-id}
31393 A single thread ID
31394 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
31395 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
31396 @item l
31397 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
31398 @end table
31399
31400 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
31401 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
31402 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
31403 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
31404 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
31405 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
31406 fields.
31407
31408 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
31409 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
31410 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
31411 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
31412 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
31413
31414 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
31415 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
31416
31417 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
31418 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
31419 information associated with the variable.)
31420
31421 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
31422 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
31423 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
31424 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
31425 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
31426 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
31427
31428 Reply:
31429 @table @samp
31430 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
31431 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
31432 local storage requested.
31433
31434 @item E @var{nn}
31435 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31436
31437 @item
31438 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
31439 @end table
31440
31441 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
31442 @cindex get thread information block address
31443 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
31444 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
31445
31446 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
31447
31448 Reply:
31449 @table @samp
31450 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
31451 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
31452 thread information block.
31453
31454 @item E @var{nn}
31455 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
31456 address could not be retrieved.
31457
31458 @item
31459 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
31460 @end table
31461
31462 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
31463 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
31464 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
31465 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
31466 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
31467 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
31468 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
31469
31470 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
31471
31472 Reply:
31473 @table @samp
31474 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
31475 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
31476 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
31477 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
31478 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
31479 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
31480 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
31481 @end table
31482
31483 @item qOffsets
31484 @cindex section offsets, remote request
31485 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
31486 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
31487 image.
31488
31489 Reply:
31490 @table @samp
31491 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
31492 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
31493 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
31494 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
31495 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
31496 segments by the supplied offsets.
31497
31498 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
31499 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
31500 to the @code{Bss} section.}
31501
31502 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
31503 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
31504 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
31505 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
31506 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
31507 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
31508 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
31509 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
31510 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
31511 @end table
31512
31513 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
31514 @cindex thread information, remote request
31515 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
31516 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
31517 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
31518 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
31519
31520 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
31521 (see below).
31522
31523 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
31524
31525 @item QNonStop:1
31526 @item QNonStop:0
31527 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
31528 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
31529 @anchor{QNonStop}
31530 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
31531 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
31532
31533 Reply:
31534 @table @samp
31535 @item OK
31536 The request succeeded.
31537
31538 @item E @var{nn}
31539 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31540
31541 @item
31542 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
31543 the stub.
31544 @end table
31545
31546 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31547 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31548 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
31549 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
31550
31551 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
31552 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
31553 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
31554 @anchor{QPassSignals}
31555 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
31556 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
31557 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
31558 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
31559 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
31560 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
31561 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
31562 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
31563 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
31564
31565 Reply:
31566 @table @samp
31567 @item OK
31568 The request succeeded.
31569
31570 @item E @var{nn}
31571 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31572
31573 @item
31574 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
31575 the stub.
31576 @end table
31577
31578 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
31579 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
31580 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31581 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31582
31583 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
31584 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
31585 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
31586 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
31587 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
31588 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
31589 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
31590 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
31591 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
31592
31593 Reply:
31594 @table @samp
31595 @item OK
31596 A command response with no output.
31597 @item @var{OUTPUT}
31598 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
31599 @item E @var{NN}
31600 Indicate a badly formed request.
31601 @item
31602 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
31603 @end table
31604
31605 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
31606 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
31607 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
31608 packets.)
31609
31610 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
31611 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
31612 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
31613 @anchor{qSearch memory}
31614 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
31615 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
31616 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
31617
31618 Reply:
31619 @table @samp
31620 @item 0
31621 The pattern was not found.
31622 @item 1,address
31623 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
31624 @item E @var{NN}
31625 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
31626 @item
31627 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
31628 @end table
31629
31630 @item QStartNoAckMode
31631 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
31632 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
31633 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
31634 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
31635
31636 Reply:
31637 @table @samp
31638 @item OK
31639 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
31640 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
31641 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
31642 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
31643 @item
31644 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
31645 @end table
31646
31647 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
31648 @cindex supported packets, remote query
31649 @cindex features of the remote protocol
31650 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
31651 @anchor{qSupported}
31652 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
31653 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
31654 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
31655 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
31656 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
31657 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
31658 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
31659 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
31660 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
31661 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
31662 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
31663 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
31664 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
31665 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
31666
31667 Reply:
31668 @table @samp
31669 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
31670 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
31671 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
31672 possible forms).
31673 @item
31674 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
31675 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
31676 @end table
31677
31678 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
31679 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
31680 are:
31681
31682 @table @samp
31683 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
31684 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
31685 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
31686 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
31687 @item @var{name}+
31688 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
31689 need an associated value.
31690 @item @var{name}-
31691 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
31692 @item @var{name}?
31693 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
31694 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
31695 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
31696 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
31697 @end table
31698
31699 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
31700 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
31701 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
31702 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
31703 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
31704
31705 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
31706 are defined:
31707
31708 @table @samp
31709 @item multiprocess
31710 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
31711 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
31712 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
31713 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
31714 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
31715
31716 @item xmlRegisters
31717 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
31718 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
31719 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
31720 description.
31721
31722 @item qRelocInsn
31723 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
31724 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
31725 instruction reply packet}).
31726 @end table
31727
31728 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
31729 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
31730 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
31731 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
31732 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
31733 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
31734 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
31735 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
31736 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
31737 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
31738 all the features it supports.
31739
31740 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
31741 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
31742
31743 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
31744 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
31745 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
31746 form response.
31747
31748 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
31749 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
31750 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
31751 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
31752
31753 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
31754 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
31755 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
31756 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
31757 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
31758
31759 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
31760
31761 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
31762 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
31763 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
31764 @item Feature Name
31765 @tab Value Required
31766 @tab Default
31767 @tab Probe Allowed
31768
31769 @item @samp{PacketSize}
31770 @tab Yes
31771 @tab @samp{-}
31772 @tab No
31773
31774 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
31775 @tab No
31776 @tab @samp{-}
31777 @tab Yes
31778
31779 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
31780 @tab No
31781 @tab @samp{-}
31782 @tab Yes
31783
31784 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
31785 @tab No
31786 @tab @samp{-}
31787 @tab Yes
31788
31789 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
31790 @tab No
31791 @tab @samp{-}
31792 @tab Yes
31793
31794 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
31795 @tab No
31796 @tab @samp{-}
31797 @tab Yes
31798
31799 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
31800 @tab No
31801 @tab @samp{-}
31802 @tab Yes
31803
31804 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
31805 @tab No
31806 @tab @samp{-}
31807 @tab Yes
31808
31809 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
31810 @tab No
31811 @tab @samp{-}
31812 @tab Yes
31813
31814 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
31815 @tab No
31816 @tab @samp{-}
31817 @tab Yes
31818
31819
31820 @item @samp{QNonStop}
31821 @tab No
31822 @tab @samp{-}
31823 @tab Yes
31824
31825 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
31826 @tab No
31827 @tab @samp{-}
31828 @tab Yes
31829
31830 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
31831 @tab No
31832 @tab @samp{-}
31833 @tab Yes
31834
31835 @item @samp{multiprocess}
31836 @tab No
31837 @tab @samp{-}
31838 @tab No
31839
31840 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
31841 @tab No
31842 @tab @samp{-}
31843 @tab No
31844
31845 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
31846 @tab No
31847 @tab @samp{-}
31848 @tab No
31849
31850 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
31851 @tab No
31852 @tab @samp{-}
31853 @tab No
31854
31855 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
31856 @tab No
31857 @tab @samp{-}
31858 @tab No
31859
31860 @item @samp{QAllow}
31861 @tab No
31862 @tab @samp{-}
31863 @tab No
31864
31865 @end multitable
31866
31867 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
31868
31869 @table @samp
31870 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
31871 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
31872 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
31873 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
31874 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
31875 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
31876 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
31877 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
31878 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
31879 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
31880
31881 @item qXfer:auxv:read
31882 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
31883 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
31884
31885 @item qXfer:features:read
31886 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
31887 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
31888
31889 @item qXfer:libraries:read
31890 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
31891 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
31892
31893 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
31894 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
31895 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
31896
31897 @item qXfer:spu:read
31898 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
31899 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
31900
31901 @item qXfer:spu:write
31902 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
31903 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
31904
31905 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
31906 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
31907 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
31908
31909 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
31910 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
31911 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
31912
31913 @item qXfer:threads:read
31914 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
31915 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
31916
31917 @item QNonStop
31918 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
31919 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
31920
31921 @item QPassSignals
31922 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
31923 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
31924
31925 @item QStartNoAckMode
31926 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
31927 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
31928
31929 @item multiprocess
31930 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
31931 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
31932 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
31933 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
31934 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
31935 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
31936 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
31937 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
31938 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
31939 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
31940 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
31941
31942 @item qXfer:osdata:read
31943 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
31944 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
31945
31946 @item ConditionalTracepoints
31947 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
31948 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
31949
31950 @item ReverseContinue
31951 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
31952 (@pxref{bc}).
31953
31954 @item ReverseStep
31955 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
31956 (@pxref{bs}).
31957
31958 @item TracepointSource
31959 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
31960 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
31961
31962 @item QAllow
31963 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
31964
31965 @end table
31966
31967 @item qSymbol::
31968 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
31969 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
31970 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
31971 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
31972
31973 Reply:
31974 @table @samp
31975 @item OK
31976 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
31977 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
31978 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
31979 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
31980 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
31981 below.
31982 @end table
31983
31984 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
31985 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
31986
31987 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
31988 target has previously requested.
31989
31990 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
31991 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
31992 will be empty.
31993
31994 Reply:
31995 @table @samp
31996 @item OK
31997 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
31998 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
31999 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
32000 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
32001 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
32002 @end table
32003
32004 @item qTBuffer
32005 @item QTBuffer
32006 @item QTDisconnected
32007 @itemx QTDP
32008 @itemx QTDPsrc
32009 @itemx QTDV
32010 @itemx qTfP
32011 @itemx qTfV
32012 @itemx QTFrame
32013 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
32014
32015 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
32016 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
32017 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
32018 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
32019 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
32020 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
32021 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
32022 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
32023 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
32024 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
32025 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
32026
32027 Reply:
32028 @table @samp
32029 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32030 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
32031 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
32032 the thread's attributes.
32033 @end table
32034
32035 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
32036 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
32037 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
32038 packets.)
32039
32040 @item QTSave
32041 @item qTsP
32042 @item qTsV
32043 @itemx QTStart
32044 @itemx QTStop
32045 @itemx QTinit
32046 @itemx QTro
32047 @itemx qTStatus
32048 @itemx qTV
32049 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
32050
32051 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32052 @cindex read special object, remote request
32053 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
32054 @anchor{qXfer read}
32055 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
32056 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
32057 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
32058 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
32059 additional details about what data to access.
32060
32061 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
32062 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
32063 formats, listed below.
32064
32065 @table @samp
32066 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32067 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
32068 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
32069 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
32070
32071 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32072 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32073
32074 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32075 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
32076 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
32077 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
32078 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
32079
32080 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32081 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32082
32083 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32084 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
32085 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
32086 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
32087 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32088
32089 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
32090 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
32091 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
32092
32093 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32094 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32095
32096 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32097 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
32098 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
32099 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
32100 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32101
32102 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32103 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32104
32105 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32106 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
32107 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
32108 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
32109 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32110
32111 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32112 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32113 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32114
32115 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32116 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
32117 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
32118 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
32119 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
32120 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
32121 in that context to be accessed.
32122
32123 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32124 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32125 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32126
32127 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32128 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
32129 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
32130 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
32131 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32132
32133 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32134 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32135
32136 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32137 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
32138 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
32139 @xref{Operating System Information}.
32140
32141 @end table
32142
32143 Reply:
32144 @table @samp
32145 @item m @var{data}
32146 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
32147 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
32148 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
32149 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
32150 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
32151 request.
32152
32153 @item l @var{data}
32154 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
32155 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
32156 than the @var{length} in the request.
32157
32158 @item l
32159 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
32160 There is no more data to be read.
32161
32162 @item E00
32163 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
32164
32165 @item E @var{nn}
32166 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
32167 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
32168
32169 @item
32170 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
32171 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
32172 @end table
32173
32174 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
32175 @cindex write data into object, remote request
32176 @anchor{qXfer write}
32177 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
32178 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
32179 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
32180 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
32181 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
32182 to access.
32183
32184 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
32185 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
32186 formats, listed below.
32187
32188 @table @samp
32189 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
32190 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
32191 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
32192 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
32193 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
32194
32195 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32196 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32197 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32198
32199 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
32200 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
32201 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
32202 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
32203 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
32204 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
32205 in that context to be accessed.
32206
32207 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32208 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32209 @end table
32210
32211 Reply:
32212 @table @samp
32213 @item @var{nn}
32214 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
32215 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
32216
32217 @item E00
32218 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
32219
32220 @item E @var{nn}
32221 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
32222 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
32223
32224 @item
32225 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
32226 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
32227 @end table
32228
32229 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
32230 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
32231 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
32232 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
32233 must respond with an empty packet.
32234
32235 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
32236 @cindex query attached, remote request
32237 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
32238 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
32239 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
32240 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
32241 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
32242 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
32243 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
32244
32245 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
32246 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
32247 the @code{quit} command.
32248
32249 Reply:
32250 @table @samp
32251 @item 1
32252 The remote server attached to an existing process.
32253 @item 0
32254 The remote server created a new process.
32255 @item E @var{NN}
32256 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
32257 @end table
32258
32259 @end table
32260
32261 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
32262 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
32263
32264 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
32265 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
32266 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
32267
32268 @subsection ARM
32269
32270 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
32271
32272 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
32273
32274 @table @r
32275
32276 @item 2
32277 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
32278
32279 @item 3
32280 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
32281
32282 @item 4
32283 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
32284
32285 @end table
32286
32287 @subsection MIPS
32288
32289 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
32290
32291 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
32292 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
32293 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
32294 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
32295 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
32296 most-significant - least-significant.
32297
32298 @table @r
32299
32300 @item MIPS32
32301
32302 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
32303 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
32304 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
32305
32306 @item MIPS64
32307
32308 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
32309 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
32310 as @code{MIPS32}.
32311
32312 @end table
32313
32314 @node Tracepoint Packets
32315 @section Tracepoint Packets
32316 @cindex tracepoint packets
32317 @cindex packets, tracepoint
32318
32319 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
32320 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
32321
32322 @table @samp
32323
32324 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
32325 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
32326 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
32327 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
32328 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
32329 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
32330 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
32331 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
32332 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
32333 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
32334 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
32335 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
32336 actions.
32337
32338 Replies:
32339 @table @samp
32340 @item OK
32341 The packet was understood and carried out.
32342 @item qRelocInsn
32343 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
32344 @item
32345 The packet was not recognized.
32346 @end table
32347
32348 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
32349 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
32350 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
32351 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
32352 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
32353 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
32354 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
32355
32356 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
32357 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
32358 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
32359 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
32360 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
32361 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
32362 tracepoint actions.
32363
32364 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
32365 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
32366 following forms:
32367
32368 @table @samp
32369
32370 @item R @var{mask}
32371 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
32372 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
32373 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
32374 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
32375 not fit in a 32-bit word.
32376
32377 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
32378 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
32379 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
32380 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
32381 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
32382 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
32383 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
32384
32385 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
32386 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
32387 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
32388 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
32389 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
32390 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
32391 packet).
32392
32393 @end table
32394
32395 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
32396 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
32397 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
32398 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
32399 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
32400 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
32401 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
32402 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
32403
32404 Replies:
32405 @table @samp
32406 @item OK
32407 The packet was understood and carried out.
32408 @item qRelocInsn
32409 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
32410 @item
32411 The packet was not recognized.
32412 @end table
32413
32414 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
32415 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
32416 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
32417 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
32418 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
32419 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
32420 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
32421 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
32422
32423 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
32424 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
32425 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
32426 fit in a single packet.
32427 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
32428 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
32429
32430 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
32431 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
32432 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
32433 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
32434
32435 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
32436 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
32437 query packets.
32438
32439 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
32440 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
32441 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
32442 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
32443 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
32444 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
32445 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
32446 be found.
32447
32448 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
32449 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
32450 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
32451 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
32452 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
32453 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
32454 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
32455 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
32456 mentioned in expressions.
32457
32458 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
32459 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
32460 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
32461 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
32462
32463 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
32464 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
32465 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
32466 one of the following forms:
32467
32468 @table @samp
32469 @item F @var{f}
32470 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
32471 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
32472 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
32473
32474 @item T @var{t}
32475 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
32476 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
32477
32478 @end table
32479
32480 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
32481 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32482 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
32483 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
32484
32485 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
32486 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32487 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
32488 is a hexadecimal number.
32489
32490 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
32491 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32492 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
32493 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
32494 numbers.
32495
32496 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
32497 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
32498 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
32499
32500 @item QTStart
32501 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
32502 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
32503 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
32504 instruction reply packet}).
32505
32506 @item QTStop
32507 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
32508
32509 @item QTinit
32510 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
32511
32512 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
32513 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
32514 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
32515 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
32516
32517 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
32518 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
32519 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
32520 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
32521
32522 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
32523 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
32524 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
32525 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
32526 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
32527
32528 @item qTStatus
32529 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
32530
32531 The reply has the form:
32532
32533 @table @samp
32534
32535 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
32536 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
32537 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
32538 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
32539
32540 @end table
32541
32542 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
32543 explanations as one of the optional fields:
32544
32545 @table @samp
32546
32547 @item tnotrun:0
32548 No trace has been run yet.
32549
32550 @item tstop:0
32551 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
32552
32553 @item tfull:0
32554 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
32555
32556 @item tdisconnected:0
32557 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
32558
32559 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
32560 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
32561
32562 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
32563 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
32564 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
32565 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
32566 @var{text} is hex encoded.
32567
32568 @item tunknown:0
32569 The trace stopped for some other reason.
32570
32571 @end table
32572
32573 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
32574 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
32575 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
32576 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
32577 trace.
32578
32579 @table @samp
32580
32581 @item tframes:@var{n}
32582 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
32583
32584 @item tcreated:@var{n}
32585 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
32586 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
32587
32588 @item tsize:@var{n}
32589 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
32590
32591 @item tfree:@var{n}
32592 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
32593
32594 @item circular:@var{n}
32595 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32596 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32597 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32598 and may fill up.
32599
32600 @item disconn:@var{n}
32601 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32602 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32603 that the trace run will stop.
32604
32605 @end table
32606
32607 @item qTV:@var{var}
32608 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
32609 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
32610 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
32611
32612 Replies:
32613 @table @samp
32614 @item V@var{value}
32615 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
32616 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
32617 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
32618 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
32619 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
32620 program is running.
32621
32622 @item U
32623 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
32624 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
32625 was not collected.
32626 @end table
32627
32628 @item qTfP
32629 @itemx qTsP
32630 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
32631 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
32632 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
32633 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
32634 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
32635
32636 @item qTfV
32637 @itemx qTsV
32638 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
32639 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
32640 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
32641 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
32642 trace state variables.
32643
32644 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
32645 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
32646 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
32647 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
32648 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
32649
32650 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
32651 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
32652 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
32653 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
32654 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
32655 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
32656 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
32657 available.
32658
32659 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
32660 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
32661 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
32662
32663 @end table
32664
32665 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
32666 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
32667 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
32668 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
32669 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
32670 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
32671 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
32672 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
32673 it had executed in the original location.
32674
32675 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
32676 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
32677 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
32678 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
32679 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
32680 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
32681 format of the request is:
32682
32683 @table @samp
32684 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
32685
32686 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
32687 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
32688 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
32689 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
32690 memory starting at @var{to}.
32691 @end table
32692
32693 Replies:
32694 @table @samp
32695 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
32696 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
32697 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
32698 @item E @var{NN}
32699 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
32700 relocating the instruction.
32701 @end table
32702
32703 @node Host I/O Packets
32704 @section Host I/O Packets
32705 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
32706 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
32707
32708 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
32709 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
32710 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
32711 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
32712 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
32713 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
32714 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
32715 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
32716 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
32717 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
32718
32719 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
32720 its arguments. They have this format:
32721
32722 @table @samp
32723
32724 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
32725 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
32726 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
32727 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
32728 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
32729 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
32730 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
32731 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
32732 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32733
32734 @end table
32735
32736 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
32737
32738 @table @samp
32739
32740 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
32741 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
32742 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
32743 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
32744 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
32745 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
32746 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
32747 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
32748 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
32749 @var{attachment}.
32750
32751 @item
32752 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
32753
32754 @end table
32755
32756 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
32757
32758 @table @samp
32759 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
32760 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
32761 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
32762 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
32763 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
32764 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
32765 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
32766
32767 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
32768 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
32769 -1 if an error occurs.
32770
32771 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
32772 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
32773 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
32774 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
32775 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
32776 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
32777 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
32778 @var{count} was zero.
32779
32780 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
32781 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
32782 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
32783 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
32784 some characters were escaped.
32785
32786 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
32787 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
32788 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
32789 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
32790 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
32791 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
32792 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
32793 error occurred.
32794
32795 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
32796 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
32797 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
32798
32799 @end table
32800
32801 @node Interrupts
32802 @section Interrupts
32803 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
32804
32805 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
32806 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
32807 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
32808 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
32809
32810 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
32811 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
32812 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
32813 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
32814 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
32815
32816 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
32817 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
32818 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
32819 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
32820 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
32821 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
32822 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
32823 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
32824
32825 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
32826 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
32827 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
32828
32829 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
32830 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
32831 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
32832 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
32833 currently-executing threads and processes.
32834 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
32835 running program, it should send one of the stop
32836 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
32837 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
32838 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
32839 Interrupts received while the
32840 program is stopped are discarded.
32841
32842 @node Notification Packets
32843 @section Notification Packets
32844 @cindex notification packets
32845 @cindex packets, notification
32846
32847 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
32848 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
32849 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
32850 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
32851 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
32852 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
32853 is not a problem.
32854
32855 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
32856 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
32857 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
32858 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
32859 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
32860 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
32861 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
32862
32863 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
32864 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
32865
32866 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
32867 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
32868 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
32869 not they understand it.
32870
32871 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
32872 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
32873 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
32874 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
32875 recipients.
32876
32877 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
32878 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
32879 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
32880 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
32881 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
32882
32883 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
32884 defined:
32885
32886 @table @samp
32887 @item Stop: @var{reply}
32888 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
32889 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
32890 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
32891 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
32892 @value{GDBN}.
32893 @end table
32894
32895 @node Remote Non-Stop
32896 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
32897
32898 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
32899 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
32900 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
32901 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32902
32903 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
32904 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
32905 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
32906 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
32907 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
32908 probe the target state after a mode change.
32909
32910 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
32911 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
32912 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
32913 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
32914 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
32915 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
32916 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
32917 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
32918 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
32919 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
32920 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
32921
32922 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
32923 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
32924 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
32925 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
32926 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
32927 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
32928 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
32929 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
32930 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
32931 sending any queued stop events.
32932
32933 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
32934 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
32935 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
32936 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
32937 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
32938 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
32939 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
32940
32941 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
32942 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
32943 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
32944 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
32945 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
32946 process normally.
32947
32948 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
32949 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
32950 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
32951 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
32952 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
32953 should process normally.
32954
32955 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
32956 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
32957 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
32958 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
32959 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
32960
32961 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
32962 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
32963 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
32964 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
32965 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
32966 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
32967 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
32968 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
32969 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
32970 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
32971 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
32972 @samp{OK}.
32973
32974 @node Packet Acknowledgment
32975 @section Packet Acknowledgment
32976
32977 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
32978 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
32979 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
32980 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32981 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
32982 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
32983 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
32984
32985 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
32986 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
32987 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
32988 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
32989 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
32990
32991 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
32992 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
32993 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
32994 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
32995
32996 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
32997 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
32998 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
32999 @pxref{qSupported}.
33000 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
33001 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
33002 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
33003 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
33004 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
33005 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
33006 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
33007
33008 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
33009 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
33010 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
33011 connection.
33012 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
33013 new connection is established,
33014 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
33015 for the current connection, once disabled.
33016
33017 @node Examples
33018 @section Examples
33019
33020 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
33021 does not get any direct output:
33022
33023 @smallexample
33024 -> @code{R00}
33025 <- @code{+}
33026 @emph{target restarts}
33027 -> @code{?}
33028 <- @code{+}
33029 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
33030 -> @code{+}
33031 @end smallexample
33032
33033 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
33034
33035 @smallexample
33036 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
33037 <- @code{+}
33038 -> @code{s}
33039 <- @code{+}
33040 @emph{time passes}
33041 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
33042 -> @code{+}
33043 -> @code{g}
33044 <- @code{+}
33045 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
33046 -> @code{+}
33047 @end smallexample
33048
33049 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
33050 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
33051 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
33052
33053 @menu
33054 * File-I/O Overview::
33055 * Protocol Basics::
33056 * The F Request Packet::
33057 * The F Reply Packet::
33058 * The Ctrl-C Message::
33059 * Console I/O::
33060 * List of Supported Calls::
33061 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
33062 * Constants::
33063 * File-I/O Examples::
33064 @end menu
33065
33066 @node File-I/O Overview
33067 @subsection File-I/O Overview
33068 @cindex file-i/o overview
33069
33070 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
33071 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
33072 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
33073 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
33074 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
33075 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
33076
33077 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
33078 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
33079 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
33080 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
33081 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
33082
33083 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
33084 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33085 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
33086 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
33087 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
33088 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
33089 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
33090
33091 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
33092 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
33093 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
33094 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
33095 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
33096
33097 @smallexample
33098 (@value{GDBP}) continue
33099 <- target requests 'system call X'
33100 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
33101 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
33102 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
33103 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
33104 @end smallexample
33105
33106 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
33107 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
33108 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
33109 system are not supported by this protocol.
33110
33111 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
33112
33113 @node Protocol Basics
33114 @subsection Protocol Basics
33115 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
33116
33117 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
33118 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
33119 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
33120 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
33121 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
33122 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
33123 to call the appropriate host system call:
33124
33125 @itemize @bullet
33126 @item
33127 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
33128
33129 @item
33130 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
33131 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
33132 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
33133 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
33134
33135 @end itemize
33136
33137 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
33138
33139 @itemize @bullet
33140 @item
33141 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
33142 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
33143 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
33144 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
33145 packet.
33146
33147 @item
33148 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
33149 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
33150
33151 @item
33152 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
33153
33154 @item
33155 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
33156
33157 @item
33158 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
33159 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
33160 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
33161 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
33162 packet.
33163
33164 @end itemize
33165
33166 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
33167 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
33168
33169 @itemize @bullet
33170 @item
33171 Return value.
33172
33173 @item
33174 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
33175
33176 @item
33177 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
33178
33179 @end itemize
33180
33181 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
33182 the latest continue or step action.
33183
33184 @node The F Request Packet
33185 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
33186 @cindex file-i/o request packet
33187 @cindex @code{F} request packet
33188
33189 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
33190
33191 @table @samp
33192 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
33193
33194 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
33195 This is just the name of the function.
33196
33197 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
33198 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
33199 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
33200 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
33201 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
33202 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
33203 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
33204
33205 @end table
33206
33207
33208
33209 @node The F Reply Packet
33210 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
33211 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
33212 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
33213
33214 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
33215
33216 @table @samp
33217
33218 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
33219
33220 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
33221
33222 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
33223 representation.
33224 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
33225
33226 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
33227 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
33228 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
33229
33230 @smallexample
33231 F0,0,C
33232 @end smallexample
33233
33234 @noindent
33235 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
33236
33237 @smallexample
33238 F-1,4,C
33239 @end smallexample
33240
33241 @noindent
33242 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
33243
33244 @end table
33245
33246
33247 @node The Ctrl-C Message
33248 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
33249 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
33250
33251 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
33252 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
33253 the target should behave as if it had
33254 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
33255 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
33256 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
33257 packet.
33258
33259 It's important for the target to know in which
33260 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
33261
33262 @itemize @bullet
33263 @item
33264 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
33265
33266 @item
33267 The system call on the host has been finished.
33268
33269 @end itemize
33270
33271 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
33272 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
33273 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
33274 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
33275 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
33276 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
33277
33278 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
33279 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
33280 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
33281 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
33282 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
33283 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
33284 or the full action has been completed.
33285
33286 @node Console I/O
33287 @subsection Console I/O
33288 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
33289
33290 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
33291 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
33292 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
33293 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
33294 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
33295 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
33296 conditions is met:
33297
33298 @itemize @bullet
33299 @item
33300 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
33301 @code{read}
33302 system call is treated as finished.
33303
33304 @item
33305 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
33306 newline.
33307
33308 @item
33309 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
33310 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
33311
33312 @end itemize
33313
33314 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
33315 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
33316 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
33317 is stopped at the user's request.
33318
33319
33320 @node List of Supported Calls
33321 @subsection List of Supported Calls
33322 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
33323
33324 @menu
33325 * open::
33326 * close::
33327 * read::
33328 * write::
33329 * lseek::
33330 * rename::
33331 * unlink::
33332 * stat/fstat::
33333 * gettimeofday::
33334 * isatty::
33335 * system::
33336 @end menu
33337
33338 @node open
33339 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
33340 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
33341
33342 @table @asis
33343 @item Synopsis:
33344 @smallexample
33345 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
33346 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
33347 @end smallexample
33348
33349 @item Request:
33350 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
33351
33352 @noindent
33353 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
33354
33355 @table @code
33356 @item O_CREAT
33357 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
33358 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
33359 are concerned.
33360
33361 @item O_EXCL
33362 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
33363 an error and open() fails.
33364
33365 @item O_TRUNC
33366 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
33367 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
33368 truncated to zero length.
33369
33370 @item O_APPEND
33371 The file is opened in append mode.
33372
33373 @item O_RDONLY
33374 The file is opened for reading only.
33375
33376 @item O_WRONLY
33377 The file is opened for writing only.
33378
33379 @item O_RDWR
33380 The file is opened for reading and writing.
33381 @end table
33382
33383 @noindent
33384 Other bits are silently ignored.
33385
33386
33387 @noindent
33388 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
33389
33390 @table @code
33391 @item S_IRUSR
33392 User has read permission.
33393
33394 @item S_IWUSR
33395 User has write permission.
33396
33397 @item S_IRGRP
33398 Group has read permission.
33399
33400 @item S_IWGRP
33401 Group has write permission.
33402
33403 @item S_IROTH
33404 Others have read permission.
33405
33406 @item S_IWOTH
33407 Others have write permission.
33408 @end table
33409
33410 @noindent
33411 Other bits are silently ignored.
33412
33413
33414 @item Return value:
33415 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
33416 occurred.
33417
33418 @item Errors:
33419
33420 @table @code
33421 @item EEXIST
33422 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
33423
33424 @item EISDIR
33425 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
33426
33427 @item EACCES
33428 The requested access is not allowed.
33429
33430 @item ENAMETOOLONG
33431 @var{pathname} was too long.
33432
33433 @item ENOENT
33434 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
33435
33436 @item ENODEV
33437 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
33438
33439 @item EROFS
33440 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
33441 write access was requested.
33442
33443 @item EFAULT
33444 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
33445
33446 @item ENOSPC
33447 No space on device to create the file.
33448
33449 @item EMFILE
33450 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
33451
33452 @item ENFILE
33453 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
33454 has been reached.
33455
33456 @item EINTR
33457 The call was interrupted by the user.
33458 @end table
33459
33460 @end table
33461
33462 @node close
33463 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
33464 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
33465
33466 @table @asis
33467 @item Synopsis:
33468 @smallexample
33469 int close(int fd);
33470 @end smallexample
33471
33472 @item Request:
33473 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
33474
33475 @item Return value:
33476 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
33477
33478 @item Errors:
33479
33480 @table @code
33481 @item EBADF
33482 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
33483
33484 @item EINTR
33485 The call was interrupted by the user.
33486 @end table
33487
33488 @end table
33489
33490 @node read
33491 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
33492 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
33493
33494 @table @asis
33495 @item Synopsis:
33496 @smallexample
33497 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
33498 @end smallexample
33499
33500 @item Request:
33501 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
33502
33503 @item Return value:
33504 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
33505 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
33506 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
33507
33508 @item Errors:
33509
33510 @table @code
33511 @item EBADF
33512 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
33513 reading.
33514
33515 @item EFAULT
33516 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33517
33518 @item EINTR
33519 The call was interrupted by the user.
33520 @end table
33521
33522 @end table
33523
33524 @node write
33525 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
33526 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
33527
33528 @table @asis
33529 @item Synopsis:
33530 @smallexample
33531 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
33532 @end smallexample
33533
33534 @item Request:
33535 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
33536
33537 @item Return value:
33538 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
33539 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
33540 is returned.
33541
33542 @item Errors:
33543
33544 @table @code
33545 @item EBADF
33546 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
33547 writing.
33548
33549 @item EFAULT
33550 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33551
33552 @item EFBIG
33553 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
33554 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
33555
33556 @item ENOSPC
33557 No space on device to write the data.
33558
33559 @item EINTR
33560 The call was interrupted by the user.
33561 @end table
33562
33563 @end table
33564
33565 @node lseek
33566 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
33567 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
33568
33569 @table @asis
33570 @item Synopsis:
33571 @smallexample
33572 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
33573 @end smallexample
33574
33575 @item Request:
33576 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
33577
33578 @var{flag} is one of:
33579
33580 @table @code
33581 @item SEEK_SET
33582 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
33583
33584 @item SEEK_CUR
33585 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
33586 bytes.
33587
33588 @item SEEK_END
33589 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
33590 bytes.
33591 @end table
33592
33593 @item Return value:
33594 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
33595 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
33596 value of -1 is returned.
33597
33598 @item Errors:
33599
33600 @table @code
33601 @item EBADF
33602 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
33603
33604 @item ESPIPE
33605 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
33606
33607 @item EINVAL
33608 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
33609
33610 @item EINTR
33611 The call was interrupted by the user.
33612 @end table
33613
33614 @end table
33615
33616 @node rename
33617 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
33618 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
33619
33620 @table @asis
33621 @item Synopsis:
33622 @smallexample
33623 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
33624 @end smallexample
33625
33626 @item Request:
33627 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
33628
33629 @item Return value:
33630 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
33631
33632 @item Errors:
33633
33634 @table @code
33635 @item EISDIR
33636 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
33637 directory.
33638
33639 @item EEXIST
33640 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
33641
33642 @item EBUSY
33643 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
33644 process.
33645
33646 @item EINVAL
33647 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
33648 of itself.
33649
33650 @item ENOTDIR
33651 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
33652 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
33653 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
33654
33655 @item EFAULT
33656 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
33657
33658 @item EACCES
33659 No access to the file or the path of the file.
33660
33661 @item ENAMETOOLONG
33662
33663 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
33664
33665 @item ENOENT
33666 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
33667
33668 @item EROFS
33669 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
33670
33671 @item ENOSPC
33672 The device containing the file has no room for the new
33673 directory entry.
33674
33675 @item EINTR
33676 The call was interrupted by the user.
33677 @end table
33678
33679 @end table
33680
33681 @node unlink
33682 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
33683 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
33684
33685 @table @asis
33686 @item Synopsis:
33687 @smallexample
33688 int unlink(const char *pathname);
33689 @end smallexample
33690
33691 @item Request:
33692 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
33693
33694 @item Return value:
33695 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
33696
33697 @item Errors:
33698
33699 @table @code
33700 @item EACCES
33701 No access to the file or the path of the file.
33702
33703 @item EPERM
33704 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
33705
33706 @item EBUSY
33707 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
33708 being used by another process.
33709
33710 @item EFAULT
33711 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33712
33713 @item ENAMETOOLONG
33714 @var{pathname} was too long.
33715
33716 @item ENOENT
33717 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
33718
33719 @item ENOTDIR
33720 A component of the path is not a directory.
33721
33722 @item EROFS
33723 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
33724
33725 @item EINTR
33726 The call was interrupted by the user.
33727 @end table
33728
33729 @end table
33730
33731 @node stat/fstat
33732 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
33733 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
33734 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
33735
33736 @table @asis
33737 @item Synopsis:
33738 @smallexample
33739 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
33740 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
33741 @end smallexample
33742
33743 @item Request:
33744 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
33745 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
33746
33747 @item Return value:
33748 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
33749
33750 @item Errors:
33751
33752 @table @code
33753 @item EBADF
33754 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
33755
33756 @item ENOENT
33757 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
33758 path is an empty string.
33759
33760 @item ENOTDIR
33761 A component of the path is not a directory.
33762
33763 @item EFAULT
33764 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33765
33766 @item EACCES
33767 No access to the file or the path of the file.
33768
33769 @item ENAMETOOLONG
33770 @var{pathname} was too long.
33771
33772 @item EINTR
33773 The call was interrupted by the user.
33774 @end table
33775
33776 @end table
33777
33778 @node gettimeofday
33779 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
33780 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
33781
33782 @table @asis
33783 @item Synopsis:
33784 @smallexample
33785 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
33786 @end smallexample
33787
33788 @item Request:
33789 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
33790
33791 @item Return value:
33792 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
33793
33794 @item Errors:
33795
33796 @table @code
33797 @item EINVAL
33798 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
33799
33800 @item EFAULT
33801 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33802 @end table
33803
33804 @end table
33805
33806 @node isatty
33807 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
33808 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
33809
33810 @table @asis
33811 @item Synopsis:
33812 @smallexample
33813 int isatty(int fd);
33814 @end smallexample
33815
33816 @item Request:
33817 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
33818
33819 @item Return value:
33820 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
33821
33822 @item Errors:
33823
33824 @table @code
33825 @item EINTR
33826 The call was interrupted by the user.
33827 @end table
33828
33829 @end table
33830
33831 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
33832 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
33833 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
33834 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
33835 needed.
33836
33837
33838 @node system
33839 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
33840 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
33841
33842 @table @asis
33843 @item Synopsis:
33844 @smallexample
33845 int system(const char *command);
33846 @end smallexample
33847
33848 @item Request:
33849 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
33850
33851 @item Return value:
33852 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
33853 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
33854 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
33855 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
33856 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
33857 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
33858 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
33859
33860 @item Errors:
33861
33862 @table @code
33863 @item EINTR
33864 The call was interrupted by the user.
33865 @end table
33866
33867 @end table
33868
33869 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
33870 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
33871 the host is simplified before it's returned
33872 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
33873 is discarded, and the return value consists
33874 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
33875
33876 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
33877 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
33878 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
33879
33880 @table @code
33881 @item set remote system-call-allowed
33882 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
33883 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
33884 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
33885
33886 @item show remote system-call-allowed
33887 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
33888 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
33889 protocol.
33890 @end table
33891
33892 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
33893 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
33894 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
33895
33896 @menu
33897 * Integral Datatypes::
33898 * Pointer Values::
33899 * Memory Transfer::
33900 * struct stat::
33901 * struct timeval::
33902 @end menu
33903
33904 @node Integral Datatypes
33905 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
33906 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
33907
33908 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
33909 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
33910 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
33911
33912 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
33913 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
33914
33915 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
33916
33917 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
33918 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
33919
33920 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
33921
33922 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
33923 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
33924 byte order.
33925
33926 @node Pointer Values
33927 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
33928 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
33929
33930 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
33931 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
33932 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
33933 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
33934
33935 @smallexample
33936 @code{1aaf/12}
33937 @end smallexample
33938
33939 @noindent
33940 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
33941 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
33942 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
33943 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
33944
33945 @smallexample
33946 @code{123456/d}
33947 @end smallexample
33948
33949 @node Memory Transfer
33950 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
33951 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
33952
33953 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
33954 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
33955 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
33956 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
33957 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
33958 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
33959 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
33960
33961
33962 @node struct stat
33963 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
33964 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
33965
33966 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
33967 is defined as follows:
33968
33969 @smallexample
33970 struct stat @{
33971 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
33972 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
33973 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
33974 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
33975 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
33976 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
33977 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
33978 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
33979 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
33980 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
33981 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
33982 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
33983 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
33984 @};
33985 @end smallexample
33986
33987 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
33988 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
33989 structure is of size 64 bytes.
33990
33991 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
33992 range of values.
33993
33994 @table @code
33995
33996 @item st_dev
33997 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
33998
33999 @item st_ino
34000 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
34001
34002 @item st_mode
34003 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
34004 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
34005
34006 @item st_uid
34007 @itemx st_gid
34008 @itemx st_rdev
34009 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
34010
34011 @item st_atime
34012 @itemx st_mtime
34013 @itemx st_ctime
34014 These values have a host and file system dependent
34015 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
34016 support exact timing values.
34017 @end table
34018
34019 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
34020 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
34021 continuing.
34022
34023 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
34024 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
34025 get truncated on the target.
34026
34027 @node struct timeval
34028 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
34029 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
34030
34031 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
34032 is defined as follows:
34033
34034 @smallexample
34035 struct timeval @{
34036 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
34037 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
34038 @};
34039 @end smallexample
34040
34041 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
34042 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
34043 structure is of size 8 bytes.
34044
34045 @node Constants
34046 @subsection Constants
34047 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
34048
34049 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
34050 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
34051 values before and after the call as needed.
34052
34053 @menu
34054 * Open Flags::
34055 * mode_t Values::
34056 * Errno Values::
34057 * Lseek Flags::
34058 * Limits::
34059 @end menu
34060
34061 @node Open Flags
34062 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
34063 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
34064
34065 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
34066
34067 @smallexample
34068 O_RDONLY 0x0
34069 O_WRONLY 0x1
34070 O_RDWR 0x2
34071 O_APPEND 0x8
34072 O_CREAT 0x200
34073 O_TRUNC 0x400
34074 O_EXCL 0x800
34075 @end smallexample
34076
34077 @node mode_t Values
34078 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
34079 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
34080
34081 All values are given in octal representation.
34082
34083 @smallexample
34084 S_IFREG 0100000
34085 S_IFDIR 040000
34086 S_IRUSR 0400
34087 S_IWUSR 0200
34088 S_IXUSR 0100
34089 S_IRGRP 040
34090 S_IWGRP 020
34091 S_IXGRP 010
34092 S_IROTH 04
34093 S_IWOTH 02
34094 S_IXOTH 01
34095 @end smallexample
34096
34097 @node Errno Values
34098 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
34099 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
34100
34101 All values are given in decimal representation.
34102
34103 @smallexample
34104 EPERM 1
34105 ENOENT 2
34106 EINTR 4
34107 EBADF 9
34108 EACCES 13
34109 EFAULT 14
34110 EBUSY 16
34111 EEXIST 17
34112 ENODEV 19
34113 ENOTDIR 20
34114 EISDIR 21
34115 EINVAL 22
34116 ENFILE 23
34117 EMFILE 24
34118 EFBIG 27
34119 ENOSPC 28
34120 ESPIPE 29
34121 EROFS 30
34122 ENAMETOOLONG 91
34123 EUNKNOWN 9999
34124 @end smallexample
34125
34126 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
34127 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
34128
34129 @node Lseek Flags
34130 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
34131 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
34132
34133 @smallexample
34134 SEEK_SET 0
34135 SEEK_CUR 1
34136 SEEK_END 2
34137 @end smallexample
34138
34139 @node Limits
34140 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
34141 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
34142
34143 All values are given in decimal representation.
34144
34145 @smallexample
34146 INT_MIN -2147483648
34147 INT_MAX 2147483647
34148 UINT_MAX 4294967295
34149 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
34150 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
34151 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
34152 @end smallexample
34153
34154 @node File-I/O Examples
34155 @subsection File-I/O Examples
34156 @cindex file-i/o examples
34157
34158 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
34159 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
34160
34161 @smallexample
34162 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
34163 @emph{request memory read from target}
34164 -> @code{m1234,6}
34165 <- XXXXXX
34166 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
34167 -> @code{F6}
34168 @end smallexample
34169
34170 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
34171 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
34172
34173 @smallexample
34174 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34175 @emph{request memory write to target}
34176 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
34177 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
34178 -> @code{F6}
34179 @end smallexample
34180
34181 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
34182 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
34183
34184 @smallexample
34185 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34186 -> @code{F-1,9}
34187 @end smallexample
34188
34189 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
34190 host is called:
34191
34192 @smallexample
34193 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34194 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
34195 <- @code{T02}
34196 @end smallexample
34197
34198 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
34199 host is called:
34200
34201 @smallexample
34202 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34203 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
34204 <- @code{T02}
34205 @end smallexample
34206
34207 @node Library List Format
34208 @section Library List Format
34209 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
34210
34211 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
34212 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
34213 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
34214 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
34215 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
34216 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
34217 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
34218 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
34219 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
34220 are loaded.
34221
34222 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
34223 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
34224 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
34225 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
34226
34227 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
34228 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
34229 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
34230 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
34231 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
34232 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
34233
34234 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
34235 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
34236
34237 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
34238 offset, looks like this:
34239
34240 @smallexample
34241 <library-list>
34242 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
34243 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
34244 </library>
34245 </library-list>
34246 @end smallexample
34247
34248 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
34249 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
34250
34251 @smallexample
34252 <library-list>
34253 <library name="sharedlib.o">
34254 <section address="0x10000000"/>
34255 <section address="0x20000000"/>
34256 <section address="0x30000000"/>
34257 </library>
34258 </library-list>
34259 @end smallexample
34260
34261 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
34262
34263 @smallexample
34264 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
34265 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
34266 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
34267 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
34268 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
34269 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
34270 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
34271 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
34272 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
34273 @end smallexample
34274
34275 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
34276 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
34277 section for each library.
34278
34279 @node Memory Map Format
34280 @section Memory Map Format
34281 @cindex memory map format
34282
34283 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
34284 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
34285 memory map.
34286
34287 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
34288 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
34289 lists memory regions.
34290
34291 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
34292 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
34293
34294 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
34295
34296 @smallexample
34297 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34298 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
34299 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
34300 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
34301 <memory-map>
34302 region...
34303 </memory-map>
34304 @end smallexample
34305
34306 Each region can be either:
34307
34308 @itemize
34309
34310 @item
34311 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
34312 bytes from there:
34313
34314 @smallexample
34315 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
34316 @end smallexample
34317
34318
34319 @item
34320 A region of read-only memory:
34321
34322 @smallexample
34323 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
34324 @end smallexample
34325
34326
34327 @item
34328 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
34329 bytes in length:
34330
34331 @smallexample
34332 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
34333 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
34334 </memory>
34335 @end smallexample
34336
34337 @end itemize
34338
34339 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
34340 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
34341 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
34342
34343 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
34344
34345 @smallexample
34346 <!-- ................................................... -->
34347 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
34348 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
34349 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
34350 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
34351 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
34352 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
34353 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
34354 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
34355 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
34356 and its type, or device. -->
34357 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
34358 start CDATA #REQUIRED
34359 length CDATA #REQUIRED
34360 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
34361 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
34362 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
34363 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
34364 @end smallexample
34365
34366 @node Thread List Format
34367 @section Thread List Format
34368 @cindex thread list format
34369
34370 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
34371 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
34372 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
34373 the following structure:
34374
34375 @smallexample
34376 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34377 <threads>
34378 <thread id="id" core="0">
34379 ... description ...
34380 </thread>
34381 </threads>
34382 @end smallexample
34383
34384 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
34385 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
34386 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
34387 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
34388 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
34389
34390 @include agentexpr.texi
34391
34392 @node Trace File Format
34393 @appendix Trace File Format
34394 @cindex trace file format
34395
34396 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
34397 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
34398
34399 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
34400 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
34401 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
34402 in the future.
34403
34404 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
34405 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
34406 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
34407 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
34408 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
34409 of this section.
34410
34411 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
34412
34413 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
34414 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
34415 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
34416 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
34417 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
34418 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
34419 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
34420 endianness.
34421
34422 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
34423
34424 @table @code
34425 @item R @var{bytes}
34426 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
34427 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
34428 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
34429 hexadecimal encoding.
34430
34431 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
34432 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
34433 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
34434 @var{length} bytes.
34435
34436 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
34437 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
34438 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
34439
34440 @end table
34441
34442 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
34443 of blocks.
34444
34445 @node Target Descriptions
34446 @appendix Target Descriptions
34447 @cindex target descriptions
34448
34449 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
34450 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
34451 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
34452
34453 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
34454 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
34455 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
34456 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
34457 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
34458 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
34459 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
34460
34461 @itemize @bullet
34462 @item
34463 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
34464 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
34465 @item
34466 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
34467 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
34468 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
34469 @item
34470 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
34471 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
34472 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
34473 @end itemize
34474
34475 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
34476 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
34477 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
34478 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
34479 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
34480
34481 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
34482 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
34483
34484 @menu
34485 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
34486 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
34487 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
34488 descriptions.
34489 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
34490 @end menu
34491
34492 @node Retrieving Descriptions
34493 @section Retrieving Descriptions
34494
34495 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
34496 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
34497 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
34498 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
34499 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
34500 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
34501 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
34502 Format}.
34503
34504 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
34505 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
34506 specify a file are:
34507
34508 @table @code
34509 @cindex set tdesc filename
34510 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
34511 Read the target description from @var{path}.
34512
34513 @cindex unset tdesc filename
34514 @item unset tdesc filename
34515 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
34516 will use the description supplied by the current target.
34517
34518 @cindex show tdesc filename
34519 @item show tdesc filename
34520 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
34521 @end table
34522
34523
34524 @node Target Description Format
34525 @section Target Description Format
34526 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
34527
34528 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
34529 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
34530 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
34531 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
34532 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
34533 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
34534 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
34535
34536 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
34537 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
34538 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
34539 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
34540 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
34541
34542 Here is a simple target description:
34543
34544 @smallexample
34545 <target version="1.0">
34546 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
34547 </target>
34548 @end smallexample
34549
34550 @noindent
34551 This minimal description only says that the target uses
34552 the x86-64 architecture.
34553
34554 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
34555 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
34556 are explained further below.
34557
34558 @smallexample
34559 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34560 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
34561 <target version="1.0">
34562 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
34563 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
34564 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
34565 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
34566 </target>
34567 @end smallexample
34568
34569 @noindent
34570 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
34571 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
34572 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
34573 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
34574 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
34575 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
34576 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
34577 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
34578 the version mismatch.
34579
34580 @subsection Inclusion
34581 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
34582 @cindex XInclude
34583 @ifnotinfo
34584 @cindex <xi:include>
34585 @end ifnotinfo
34586
34587 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
34588 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
34589 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
34590 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
34591 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
34592
34593 @smallexample
34594 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
34595 @end smallexample
34596
34597 @noindent
34598 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
34599 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
34600 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
34601 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
34602 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
34603 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
34604 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
34605 original description.
34606
34607 @subsection Architecture
34608 @cindex <architecture>
34609
34610 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
34611
34612 @smallexample
34613 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
34614 @end smallexample
34615
34616 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
34617 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
34618
34619 @subsection OS ABI
34620 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
34621
34622 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
34623 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
34624
34625 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
34626
34627 @smallexample
34628 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
34629 @end smallexample
34630
34631 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
34632 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
34633
34634 @subsection Compatible Architecture
34635 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
34636
34637 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
34638 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
34639
34640 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
34641
34642 @smallexample
34643 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
34644 @end smallexample
34645
34646 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
34647 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
34648
34649 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
34650 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
34651 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
34652 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
34653 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
34654 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
34655 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
34656
34657 @smallexample
34658 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
34659 <compatible>spu</compatible>
34660 @end smallexample
34661
34662 @subsection Features
34663 @cindex <feature>
34664
34665 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
34666 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
34667 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
34668 has this form:
34669
34670 @smallexample
34671 <feature name="@var{name}">
34672 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
34673 @var{reg}@dots{}
34674 </feature>
34675 @end smallexample
34676
34677 @noindent
34678 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
34679 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
34680 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
34681 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
34682
34683 @subsection Types
34684
34685 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
34686 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
34687 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
34688 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
34689 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
34690
34691 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
34692 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
34693 Types must be defined before they are used.
34694
34695 @cindex <vector>
34696 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
34697 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
34698 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
34699 @var{count}:
34700
34701 @smallexample
34702 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
34703 @end smallexample
34704
34705 @cindex <union>
34706 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
34707 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
34708 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
34709 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
34710
34711 @smallexample
34712 <union id="@var{id}">
34713 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
34714 @dots{}
34715 </union>
34716 @end smallexample
34717
34718 @cindex <struct>
34719 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
34720 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
34721 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
34722 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
34723 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
34724 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
34725 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
34726 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
34727
34728 @smallexample
34729 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
34730 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
34731 @dots{}
34732 </struct>
34733 @end smallexample
34734
34735 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
34736 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
34737
34738 @smallexample
34739 <struct id="@var{id}">
34740 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
34741 @dots{}
34742 </struct>
34743 @end smallexample
34744
34745 @cindex <flags>
34746 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
34747 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
34748 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
34749 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
34750 are supported.
34751
34752 @smallexample
34753 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
34754 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
34755 @dots{}
34756 </flags>
34757 @end smallexample
34758
34759 @subsection Registers
34760 @cindex <reg>
34761
34762 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
34763
34764 @smallexample
34765 <reg name="@var{name}"
34766 bitsize="@var{size}"
34767 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
34768 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
34769 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
34770 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
34771 @end smallexample
34772
34773 @noindent
34774 The components are as follows:
34775
34776 @table @var
34777
34778 @item name
34779 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
34780
34781 @item bitsize
34782 The register's size, in bits.
34783
34784 @item regnum
34785 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
34786 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
34787 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
34788 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
34789 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
34790 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
34791 in order of increasing register number.
34792
34793 @item save-restore
34794 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
34795 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
34796 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
34797 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
34798 ABI.
34799
34800 @item type
34801 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
34802 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
34803 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
34804 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
34805 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
34806 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
34807
34808 @item group
34809 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
34810 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
34811 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
34812 in @code{info registers}.
34813
34814 @end table
34815
34816 @node Predefined Target Types
34817 @section Predefined Target Types
34818 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
34819
34820 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
34821 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
34822 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
34823 types. The currently supported types are:
34824
34825 @table @code
34826
34827 @item int8
34828 @itemx int16
34829 @itemx int32
34830 @itemx int64
34831 @itemx int128
34832 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
34833
34834 @item uint8
34835 @itemx uint16
34836 @itemx uint32
34837 @itemx uint64
34838 @itemx uint128
34839 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
34840
34841 @item code_ptr
34842 @itemx data_ptr
34843 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
34844 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
34845 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
34846 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
34847 may be marked as data pointers.
34848
34849 @item ieee_single
34850 Single precision IEEE floating point.
34851
34852 @item ieee_double
34853 Double precision IEEE floating point.
34854
34855 @item arm_fpa_ext
34856 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
34857
34858 @item i387_ext
34859 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
34860
34861 @item i386_eflags
34862 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
34863
34864 @item i386_mxcsr
34865 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
34866
34867 @end table
34868
34869 @node Standard Target Features
34870 @section Standard Target Features
34871 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
34872
34873 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
34874 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
34875 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
34876 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
34877 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
34878 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
34879 can recognize them.
34880
34881 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
34882 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
34883 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
34884 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
34885 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
34886 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
34887 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
34888 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
34889
34890 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
34891 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
34892 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
34893
34894 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
34895 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
34896 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
34897 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
34898
34899 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
34900 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
34901 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
34902
34903 @menu
34904 * ARM Features::
34905 * i386 Features::
34906 * MIPS Features::
34907 * M68K Features::
34908 * PowerPC Features::
34909 @end menu
34910
34911
34912 @node ARM Features
34913 @subsection ARM Features
34914 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
34915
34916 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
34917 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
34918 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
34919
34920 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
34921 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
34922
34923 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
34924 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
34925 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
34926 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
34927
34928 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
34929 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
34930 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
34931 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
34932 halves of the double-precision registers.
34933
34934 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
34935 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
34936 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
34937 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
34938 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
34939 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
34940
34941 @node i386 Features
34942 @subsection i386 Features
34943 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
34944
34945 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
34946 targets. It should describe the following registers:
34947
34948 @itemize @minus
34949 @item
34950 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
34951 @item
34952 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
34953 @item
34954 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
34955 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
34956 @item
34957 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
34958 @item
34959 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
34960 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
34961 @end itemize
34962
34963 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
34964
34965 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
34966 describe registers:
34967
34968 @itemize @minus
34969 @item
34970 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
34971 @item
34972 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
34973 @item
34974 @samp{mxcsr}
34975 @end itemize
34976
34977 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
34978 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
34979 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
34980
34981 @itemize @minus
34982 @item
34983 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
34984 @item
34985 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
34986 @item
34987 @end itemize
34988
34989 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
34990 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
34991
34992 @node MIPS Features
34993 @subsection MIPS Features
34994 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
34995
34996 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
34997 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
34998 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
34999 on the target.
35000
35001 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
35002 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
35003 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
35004
35005 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
35006 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
35007 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
35008 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
35009
35010 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
35011 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
35012 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
35013
35014 @node M68K Features
35015 @subsection M68K Features
35016 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
35017
35018 @table @code
35019 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
35020 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
35021 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
35022 One of those features must be always present.
35023 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
35024 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
35025 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
35026 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
35027
35028 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
35029 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
35030 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
35031 @samp{fpiaddr}.
35032 @end table
35033
35034 @node PowerPC Features
35035 @subsection PowerPC Features
35036 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
35037
35038 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
35039 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
35040 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
35041 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
35042
35043 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
35044 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
35045
35046 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
35047 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
35048 and @samp{vrsave}.
35049
35050 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
35051 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
35052 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
35053 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
35054 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
35055 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
35056
35057 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
35058 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
35059 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
35060 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
35061 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
35062 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
35063 user.
35064
35065 @node Operating System Information
35066 @appendix Operating System Information
35067 @cindex operating system information
35068
35069 @menu
35070 * Process list::
35071 @end menu
35072
35073 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
35074 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
35075 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
35076 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
35077 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
35078 on a different aspect of target.
35079
35080 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
35081 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
35082 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
35083 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
35084
35085 @node Process list
35086 @appendixsection Process list
35087 @cindex operating system information, process list
35088
35089 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
35090 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
35091 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
35092 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
35093
35094 An example document is:
35095
35096 @smallexample
35097 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35098 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
35099 <osdata type="processes">
35100 <item>
35101 <column name="pid">1</column>
35102 <column name="user">root</column>
35103 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
35104 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
35105 </item>
35106 </osdata>
35107 @end smallexample
35108
35109 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
35110 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
35111 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
35112 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
35113 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
35114 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
35115 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
35116
35117 @include gpl.texi
35118
35119 @raisesections
35120 @include fdl.texi
35121 @lowersections
35122
35123 @node Index
35124 @unnumbered Index
35125
35126 @printindex cp
35127
35128 @tex
35129 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
35130 % meantime:
35131 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
35132 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
35133 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
35134 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
35135 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
35136 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
35137 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
35138 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
35139 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
35140 \page\colophon
35141 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
35142 @end tex
35143
35144 @bye