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1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2016 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 * gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
49 @end direntry
50
51 @copying
52 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2016 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @c man end
66 @end copying
67
68 @ifnottex
69 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70
71 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 @end ifset
76 Version @value{GDBVN}.
77
78 @insertcopying
79 @end ifnottex
80
81 @titlepage
82 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @sp 1
85 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @sp 1
88 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @end ifset
90 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
91 @page
92 @tex
93 {\parskip=0pt
94 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
97 }
98 @end tex
99
100 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
102 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
105
106 @insertcopying
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) 1988-2016 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 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164
165 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166
167 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @end ifset
171 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 @end ifclear
175 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 @value{GDBN}
183 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 the operating system
185 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
188 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
194 @end menu
195
196 @end ifnottex
197
198 @contents
199
200 @node Summary
201 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202
203 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206
207 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
209
210 @itemize @bullet
211 @item
212 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213
214 @item
215 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216
217 @item
218 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219
220 @item
221 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223 @end itemize
224
225 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228
229 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
230 @ref{D,,D}.
231
232 @cindex Modula-2
233 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235
236 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238
239 @cindex Pascal
240 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
243 syntax.
244
245 @cindex Fortran
246 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248 underscore.
249
250 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252
253 @menu
254 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
257 @end menu
258
259 @node Free Software
260 @unnumberedsec Free Software
261
262 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263 General Public License
264 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270
271 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273 from anyone else.
274
275 @node Free Documentation
276 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277
278 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280 include with the free software. Many of our most important
281 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283 when an important free software package does not come with a free
284 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285 gaps today.
286
287 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291 them from the free software world.
292
293 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297 contract to make it non-free.
298
299 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306
307 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311
312 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318 community.
319
320 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328 of the manual.
329
330 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334 manual to replace it.
335
336 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341 the free software community.
342
343 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352
353 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361
362 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363 published by other publishers, at
364 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365
366 @node Contributors
367 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368
369 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375 blow-by-blow account.
376
377 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378
379 @quotation
380 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383 @end quotation
384
385 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387 releases:
388 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397
398 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400
401 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406
407 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410
411 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413
414 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415
416 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418 support.
419 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435
436 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437
438 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439 libraries.
440
441 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442 about several machine instruction sets.
443
444 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447 and RDI targets, respectively.
448
449 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450 command-line editing and command history.
451
452 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454
455 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457 symbols.
458
459 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461
462 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463
464 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465 processors.
466
467 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468
469 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470
471 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472
473 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474 watchpoints.
475
476 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477
478 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479
480 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482
483 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490
491 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493
494 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509
510 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512
513 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514 Hat.
515
516 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522
523 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534 Weigand.
535
536 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540
541 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543
544 @node Sample Session
545 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
546
547 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
548 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
549 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
550
551 @iftex
552 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
553 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
554 @end iftex
555
556 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
557 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
558
559 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
560 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
561 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
562 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
563 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
564 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
565 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
566 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
567 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
568
569 @smallexample
570 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
571 $ @b{./m4}
572 @b{define(foo,0000)}
573
574 @b{foo}
575 0000
576 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
577
578 @b{bar}
579 0000
580 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
581
582 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
583 @b{baz}
584 @b{Ctrl-d}
585 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
586 @end smallexample
587
588 @noindent
589 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
590
591 @smallexample
592 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
593 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
594 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
595 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
596 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
597 the conditions.
598 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
599 for details.
600
601 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
602 (@value{GDBP})
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
607 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
608 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
609 that examples fit in this manual.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
613 @end smallexample
614
615 @noindent
616 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
617 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
618 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
619 @code{break} command.
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
623 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
624 @end smallexample
625
626 @noindent
627 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
628 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
629 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
630
631 @smallexample
632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
633 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
634 @b{define(foo,0000)}
635
636 @b{foo}
637 0000
638 @end smallexample
639
640 @noindent
641 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
642 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
643 context where it stops.
644
645 @smallexample
646 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
647
648 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
649 at builtin.c:879
650 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
655 the next line of the current function.
656
657 @smallexample
658 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
659 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
660 : nil,
661 @end smallexample
662
663 @noindent
664 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
665 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
666 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
667 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
668
669 @smallexample
670 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
671 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
672 at input.c:530
673 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
674 @end smallexample
675
676 @noindent
677 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
678 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
679 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
680 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
681 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
682 stack frame for each active subroutine.
683
684 @smallexample
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
686 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
687 at input.c:530
688 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
689 at builtin.c:882
690 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
691 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
692 at macro.c:71
693 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
694 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
695 @end smallexample
696
697 @noindent
698 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
699 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
700 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
701
702 @smallexample
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
704 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
705 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
706 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
707 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
709 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
710 : xstrdup(rq);
711 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
712 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
713 @end smallexample
714
715 @noindent
716 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
717 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
718 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
719 (@code{print}) to see their values.
720
721 @smallexample
722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
723 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
725 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
726 @end smallexample
727
728 @noindent
729 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
730 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
731 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
732
733 @smallexample
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
735 533 xfree(rquote);
736 534
737 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
738 : xstrdup (lq);
739 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
740 : xstrdup (rq);
741 537
742 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
743 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
744 540 @}
745 541
746 542 void
747 @end smallexample
748
749 @noindent
750 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
751 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
752
753 @smallexample
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
755 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
757 540 @}
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
759 $3 = 9
760 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
761 $4 = 7
762 @end smallexample
763
764 @noindent
765 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
766 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
767 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
768 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
769 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
770 assignments.
771
772 @smallexample
773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
774 $5 = 7
775 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
776 $6 = 9
777 @end smallexample
778
779 @noindent
780 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
781 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
782 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
783 example that caused trouble initially:
784
785 @smallexample
786 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
787 Continuing.
788
789 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
790
791 baz
792 0000
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
797 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
798 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
799
800 @smallexample
801 @b{Ctrl-d}
802 Program exited normally.
803 @end smallexample
804
805 @noindent
806 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
807 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
808 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
809
810 @smallexample
811 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
812 @end smallexample
813
814 @node Invocation
815 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
816
817 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
818 The essentials are:
819 @itemize @bullet
820 @item
821 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
822 @item
823 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
824 @end itemize
825
826 @menu
827 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
828 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
829 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
830 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
831 @end menu
832
833 @node Invoking GDB
834 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
835
836 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
837 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
838
839 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
840 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
841
842 The command-line options described here are designed
843 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
844 options may effectively be unavailable.
845
846 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
847 specifying an executable program:
848
849 @smallexample
850 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
851 @end smallexample
852
853 @noindent
854 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
855 specified:
856
857 @smallexample
858 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
859 @end smallexample
860
861 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
862 to debug a running process:
863
864 @smallexample
865 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
866 @end smallexample
867
868 @noindent
869 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
870 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
871
872 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
873 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
874 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
875 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
876 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
877
878 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
879 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
880 option processing.
881 @smallexample
882 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
883 @end smallexample
884 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
885 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
886
887 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
888 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
889 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} --silent
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
897 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
898
899 @noindent
900 Type
901
902 @smallexample
903 @value{GDBP} -help
904 @end smallexample
905
906 @noindent
907 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
908 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
909
910 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
911 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
912 @samp{-x} option is used.
913
914
915 @menu
916 * File Options:: Choosing files
917 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
918 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
919 @end menu
920
921 @node File Options
922 @subsection Choosing Files
923
924 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
925 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
926 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
927 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
928 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
930 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
931 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
932 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
933 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
934 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
935 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
936 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
937
938 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
939 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
940 argument and ignore it.
941
942 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
943 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
944 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
945 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
946 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
947
948 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
949 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
950 @c it.
951
952 @table @code
953 @item -symbols @var{file}
954 @itemx -s @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--symbols}
956 @cindex @code{-s}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
958
959 @item -exec @var{file}
960 @itemx -e @var{file}
961 @cindex @code{--exec}
962 @cindex @code{-e}
963 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
964 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
965
966 @item -se @var{file}
967 @cindex @code{--se}
968 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
969 file.
970
971 @item -core @var{file}
972 @itemx -c @var{file}
973 @cindex @code{--core}
974 @cindex @code{-c}
975 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
976
977 @item -pid @var{number}
978 @itemx -p @var{number}
979 @cindex @code{--pid}
980 @cindex @code{-p}
981 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
982
983 @item -command @var{file}
984 @itemx -x @var{file}
985 @cindex @code{--command}
986 @cindex @code{-x}
987 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
988 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
989 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
990
991 @item -eval-command @var{command}
992 @itemx -ex @var{command}
993 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
994 @cindex @code{-ex}
995 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
996
997 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
998 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
999
1000 @smallexample
1001 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1002 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1003 @end smallexample
1004
1005 @item -init-command @var{file}
1006 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1007 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1008 @cindex @code{-ix}
1009 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1010 after loading gdbinit files).
1011 @xref{Startup}.
1012
1013 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1014 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1015 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1016 @cindex @code{-iex}
1017 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1018 after loading gdbinit files).
1019 @xref{Startup}.
1020
1021 @item -directory @var{directory}
1022 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1023 @cindex @code{--directory}
1024 @cindex @code{-d}
1025 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1026
1027 @item -r
1028 @itemx -readnow
1029 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1030 @cindex @code{-r}
1031 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1032 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1033 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1034
1035 @end table
1036
1037 @node Mode Options
1038 @subsection Choosing Modes
1039
1040 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1041 batch mode or quiet mode.
1042
1043 @table @code
1044 @anchor{-nx}
1045 @item -nx
1046 @itemx -n
1047 @cindex @code{--nx}
1048 @cindex @code{-n}
1049 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1050 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1051
1052 @table @code
1053 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1054 This is the system-wide init file.
1055 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1056 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1057 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1058 have been processed.
1059 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1060 This is the init file in your home directory.
1061 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1062 command options have been processed.
1063 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1064 This is the init file in the current directory.
1065 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1066 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1067 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1068 @end table
1069
1070 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1071 For documentation on how to write command files,
1072 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1073
1074 @anchor{-nh}
1075 @item -nh
1076 @cindex @code{--nh}
1077 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1078 in your home directory.
1079 @xref{Startup}.
1080
1081 @item -quiet
1082 @itemx -silent
1083 @itemx -q
1084 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1085 @cindex @code{--silent}
1086 @cindex @code{-q}
1087 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1088 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1089
1090 @item -batch
1091 @cindex @code{--batch}
1092 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1093 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1094 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1095 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1096 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1097 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1098 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1099
1100 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1101 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1102 make this more useful, the message
1103
1104 @smallexample
1105 Program exited normally.
1106 @end smallexample
1107
1108 @noindent
1109 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1110 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1111 mode.
1112
1113 @item -batch-silent
1114 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1115 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1116 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1117 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1118 for an interactive session.
1119
1120 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1121 messages, for example.
1122
1123 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1124 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1125
1126 @item -return-child-result
1127 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1128 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1129 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1130
1131 @itemize @bullet
1132 @item
1133 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1134 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1135 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1136 @item
1137 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1138 @item
1139 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1140 the exit code will be -1.
1141 @end itemize
1142
1143 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1144 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1145 interface.
1146
1147 @item -nowindows
1148 @itemx -nw
1149 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1150 @cindex @code{-nw}
1151 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1152 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1153 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1154
1155 @item -windows
1156 @itemx -w
1157 @cindex @code{--windows}
1158 @cindex @code{-w}
1159 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1160 used if possible.
1161
1162 @item -cd @var{directory}
1163 @cindex @code{--cd}
1164 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1165 instead of the current directory.
1166
1167 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1168 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1169 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1170 @cindex @code{-D}
1171 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1172 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1173 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1174
1175 @item -fullname
1176 @itemx -f
1177 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1178 @cindex @code{-f}
1179 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1180 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1181 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1182 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1183 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1184 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1185 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1186 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1187 frame.
1188
1189 @item -annotate @var{level}
1190 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1191 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1192 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1193 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1194 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1195 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1196 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1197 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1198 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1199
1200 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1201 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1202
1203 @item --args
1204 @cindex @code{--args}
1205 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1206 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1207 This option stops option processing.
1208
1209 @item -baud @var{bps}
1210 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1211 @cindex @code{--baud}
1212 @cindex @code{-b}
1213 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1214 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1215
1216 @item -l @var{timeout}
1217 @cindex @code{-l}
1218 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1219 for remote debugging.
1220
1221 @item -tty @var{device}
1222 @itemx -t @var{device}
1223 @cindex @code{--tty}
1224 @cindex @code{-t}
1225 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1226 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1227
1228 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1229 @item -tui
1230 @cindex @code{--tui}
1231 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1232 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1233 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1234 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1235 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1236 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1237
1238 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1239 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1240 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1241 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1242 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1243 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1244
1245 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1246 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1247 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1248 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1249 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1250 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1251
1252 @item -write
1253 @cindex @code{--write}
1254 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1255 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1256 (@pxref{Patching}).
1257
1258 @item -statistics
1259 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1260 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1261 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1262
1263 @item -version
1264 @cindex @code{--version}
1265 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1266 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1267
1268 @item -configuration
1269 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1270 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1271 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1272 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1273
1274 @end table
1275
1276 @node Startup
1277 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1278 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1279
1280 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1281
1282 @enumerate
1283 @item
1284 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1285 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1286
1287 @item
1288 @cindex init file
1289 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1290 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1291 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1292 that file.
1293
1294 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1295 @item
1296 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1297 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1298 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1299 that file.
1300
1301 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1302 @item
1303 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1304 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1305 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1306 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1307 gets loaded.
1308
1309 @item
1310 Processes command line options and operands.
1311
1312 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1313 @item
1314 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1315 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1316 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1317 This is only done if the current directory is
1318 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1319 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1320 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1321 @value{GDBN}.
1322
1323 @item
1324 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1325 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1326 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1327 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1328
1329 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1330 you must do something like the following:
1331
1332 @smallexample
1333 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1334 @end smallexample
1335
1336 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1337 off too late.
1338
1339 @item
1340 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1341 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1342 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1343
1344 @item
1345 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1346 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1347 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1348 @end enumerate
1349
1350 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1351 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1352 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1353 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1354 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1355 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1356
1357 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1358 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1359
1360 @cindex init file name
1361 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1362 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1363 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1364 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1365 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1366 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1367 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1368 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1369
1370
1371 @node Quitting GDB
1372 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1373 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1374 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1375
1376 @table @code
1377 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1378 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1379 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1380 @itemx q
1381 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1382 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1383 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1384 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1385 error code.
1386 @end table
1387
1388 @cindex interrupt
1389 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1390 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1391 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1392 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1393 until a time when it is safe.
1394
1395 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1396 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1397 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1398
1399 @node Shell Commands
1400 @section Shell Commands
1401
1402 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1403 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1404 just use the @code{shell} command.
1405
1406 @table @code
1407 @kindex shell
1408 @kindex !
1409 @cindex shell escape
1410 @item shell @var{command-string}
1411 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1412 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1413 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1414 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1415 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1416 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1417 @end table
1418
1419 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1420 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1421 @value{GDBN}:
1422
1423 @table @code
1424 @kindex make
1425 @cindex calling make
1426 @item make @var{make-args}
1427 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1428 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1429 @end table
1430
1431 @node Logging Output
1432 @section Logging Output
1433 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1434 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1435
1436 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1437 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1438
1439 @table @code
1440 @kindex set logging
1441 @item set logging on
1442 Enable logging.
1443 @item set logging off
1444 Disable logging.
1445 @cindex logging file name
1446 @item set logging file @var{file}
1447 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1448 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1449 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1450 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1451 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1453 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1454 @kindex show logging
1455 @item show logging
1456 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1457 @end table
1458
1459 @node Commands
1460 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1461
1462 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1463 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1464 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1465 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1466 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1467
1468 @menu
1469 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1470 * Completion:: Command completion
1471 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1472 @end menu
1473
1474 @node Command Syntax
1475 @section Command Syntax
1476
1477 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1478 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1479 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1480 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1481 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1482 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1483
1484 @cindex abbreviation
1485 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1486 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1487 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1488 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1489 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1490 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1491 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1492
1493 @cindex repeating commands
1494 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1495 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1496 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1497 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1498 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1499 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1500 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1501
1502 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1503 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1504 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1505
1506 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1507 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1508 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1509 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1510 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1511
1512 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1513 @cindex comment
1514 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1515 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1516 Files,,Command Files}).
1517
1518 @cindex repeating command sequences
1519 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1520 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1521 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1522 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1523 for editing.
1524
1525 @node Completion
1526 @section Command Completion
1527
1528 @cindex completion
1529 @cindex word completion
1530 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1531 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1532 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1533 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1534
1535 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1536 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1537 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1538 enter it). For example, if you type
1539
1540 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1541 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1542 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1543 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1544 @smallexample
1545 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1546 @end smallexample
1547
1548 @noindent
1549 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1550 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1551
1552 @smallexample
1553 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1554 @end smallexample
1555
1556 @noindent
1557 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1558 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1559 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1560 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1561 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1562 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1563
1564 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1565 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1566 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1567 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1568 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1569 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1570 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1571 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1572 example:
1573
1574 @smallexample
1575 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1576 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1577 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1578 make_abs_section make_function_type
1579 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1580 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1581 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1582 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1583 @end smallexample
1584
1585 @noindent
1586 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1587 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1588 command.
1589
1590 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1591 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1592 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1593 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1594 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1595
1596 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1597 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1598 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1599
1600 @smallexample
1601 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1602 main
1603 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1604 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1605 (@value{GDBP}) b m
1606 @end smallexample
1607
1608 @noindent
1609 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1610
1611 @table @code
1612 @kindex set max-completions
1613 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1614 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1615 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1616 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1617 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1618 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1619 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1620 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1621 completion slow.
1622 @kindex show max-completions
1623 @item show max-completions
1624 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1625 during completion.
1626 @end table
1627
1628 @cindex quotes in commands
1629 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1630 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1631 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1632 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1633 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1634 @value{GDBN} commands.
1635
1636 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1637 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1638 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1639 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1640 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1641 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1642 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1643 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1644 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1645 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1646 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1647
1648 @smallexample
1649 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1650 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1651 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1652 @end smallexample
1653
1654 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1655 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1656 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1657 place:
1658
1659 @smallexample
1660 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1661 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1662 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1667 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1668 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1669
1670 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1671 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1672 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1673 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1674
1675 @cindex completion of structure field names
1676 @cindex structure field name completion
1677 @cindex completion of union field names
1678 @cindex union field name completion
1679 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1680 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1681 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1682 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1683 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1684 left-hand-side:
1685
1686 @smallexample
1687 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1688 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1689 to_data to_isatty to_write
1690 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1691 to_flush to_read
1692 @end smallexample
1693
1694 @noindent
1695 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1696 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1697 follows:
1698
1699 @smallexample
1700 struct ui_file
1701 @{
1702 int *magic;
1703 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1704 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1705 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1706 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1707 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1708 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1709 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1710 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1711 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1712 void *to_data;
1713 @}
1714 @end smallexample
1715
1716
1717 @node Help
1718 @section Getting Help
1719 @cindex online documentation
1720 @kindex help
1721
1722 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1723 using the command @code{help}.
1724
1725 @table @code
1726 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1727 @item help
1728 @itemx h
1729 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1730 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1731
1732 @smallexample
1733 (@value{GDBP}) help
1734 List of classes of commands:
1735
1736 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1737 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1738 data -- Examining data
1739 files -- Specifying and examining files
1740 internals -- Maintenance commands
1741 obscure -- Obscure features
1742 running -- Running the program
1743 stack -- Examining the stack
1744 status -- Status inquiries
1745 support -- Support facilities
1746 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1747 stopping the program
1748 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1749
1750 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1751 commands in that class.
1752 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1753 documentation.
1754 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1755 (@value{GDBP})
1756 @end smallexample
1757 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1758
1759 @item help @var{class}
1760 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1761 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1762 help display for the class @code{status}:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1766 Status inquiries.
1767
1768 List of commands:
1769
1770 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1771 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1772 info -- Generic command for showing things
1773 about the program being debugged
1774 show -- Generic command for showing things
1775 about the debugger
1776
1777 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1778 documentation.
1779 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1780 (@value{GDBP})
1781 @end smallexample
1782
1783 @item help @var{command}
1784 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1785 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1786
1787 @kindex apropos
1788 @item apropos @var{args}
1789 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1790 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1791 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 apropos alias
1795 @end smallexample
1796
1797 @noindent
1798 results in:
1799
1800 @smallexample
1801 @c @group
1802 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1803 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1804 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1805 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1806 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1807 @c @end group
1808 @end smallexample
1809
1810 @kindex complete
1811 @item complete @var{args}
1812 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1813 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1814 command you want completed. For example:
1815
1816 @smallexample
1817 complete i
1818 @end smallexample
1819
1820 @noindent results in:
1821
1822 @smallexample
1823 @group
1824 if
1825 ignore
1826 info
1827 inspect
1828 @end group
1829 @end smallexample
1830
1831 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1832 @end table
1833
1834 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1835 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1836 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1837 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1838 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1839 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1840 Index}.
1841
1842 @c @group
1843 @table @code
1844 @kindex info
1845 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1846 @item info
1847 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1848 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1849 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1850 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1851 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1852 @w{@code{help info}}.
1853
1854 @kindex set
1855 @item set
1856 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1857 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1858 @code{set prompt $}.
1859
1860 @kindex show
1861 @item show
1862 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1863 @value{GDBN} itself.
1864 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1865 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1866 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1867 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1868
1869 @kindex info set
1870 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1871 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1872 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1873 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1874 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1875 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1876 @end table
1877 @c @end group
1878
1879 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1880 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1881
1882 @table @code
1883 @kindex show version
1884 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1885 @item show version
1886 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1887 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1888 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1889 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1890 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1891 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1892 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1893 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1894 @value{GDBN}.
1895
1896 @kindex show copying
1897 @kindex info copying
1898 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1899 @item show copying
1900 @itemx info copying
1901 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1902
1903 @kindex show warranty
1904 @kindex info warranty
1905 @item show warranty
1906 @itemx info warranty
1907 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1908 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1909
1910 @kindex show configuration
1911 @item show configuration
1912 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1913 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1914 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1915 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1916 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1917 your report.
1918
1919 @end table
1920
1921 @node Running
1922 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1923
1924 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1925 debugging information when you compile it.
1926
1927 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1928 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1929 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1930 kill a child process.
1931
1932 @menu
1933 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1934 * Starting:: Starting your program
1935 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1936 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1937
1938 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1939 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1940 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1941 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1942
1943 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1944 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1945 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1946 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1947 @end menu
1948
1949 @node Compilation
1950 @section Compiling for Debugging
1951
1952 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1953 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1954 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1955 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1956 and addresses in the executable code.
1957
1958 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1959 the compiler.
1960
1961 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1962 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1963 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1964 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1965 executables containing debugging information.
1966
1967 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1968 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1969 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1970 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1971 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1972
1973 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1974 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1975 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1976
1977 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1978 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1979 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1980 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1981 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1982 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1983
1984 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1985 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1986 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1987
1988 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1989 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1990 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1991 format in @value{GDBN}.
1992
1993 @need 2000
1994 @node Starting
1995 @section Starting your Program
1996 @cindex starting
1997 @cindex running
1998
1999 @table @code
2000 @kindex run
2001 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2002 @item run
2003 @itemx r
2004 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2005 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2006 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2007 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2008 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2009
2010 @end table
2011
2012 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2013 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2014 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2015 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2016 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2017 message like this one:
2018
2019 @smallexample
2020 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2021 Try "help target" or "continue".
2022 @end smallexample
2023
2024 @noindent
2025 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2026 first (@pxref{load}).
2027
2028 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2029 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2030 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2031 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2032 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2033 divided into four categories:
2034
2035 @table @asis
2036 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2037 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2038 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2039 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2040 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2041 the arguments.
2042 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2043 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2044 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2045 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2046 below for details).
2047
2048 @item The @emph{environment.}
2049 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2050 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2051 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2052 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2053
2054 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2055 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2056 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2057 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2058
2059 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2060 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2061 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2062 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2063 set a different device for your program.
2064 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2065
2066 @cindex pipes
2067 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2068 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2069 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2070 wrong program.
2071 @end table
2072
2073 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2074 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2075 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2076 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2077 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2078
2079 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2080 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2081 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2082 your current breakpoints.
2083
2084 @table @code
2085 @kindex start
2086 @item start
2087 @cindex run to main procedure
2088 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2089 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2090 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2091 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2092 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2093 procedure, depending on the language used.
2094
2095 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2096 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2097 the @samp{run} command.
2098
2099 @cindex elaboration phase
2100 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2101 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2102 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2103 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2104 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2105 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2106 will remain to halt execution.
2107
2108 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2109 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2110 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2111 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2112 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2113
2114 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2115 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2116 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2117 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2118 elaboration code before running your program.
2119
2120 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2121 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2122 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2123 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2124 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2125 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2126 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2127 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2128 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2129 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2130 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2131 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2132
2133 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2134 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2135 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2136 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2137
2138 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2139 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2140 environment:
2141
2142 @smallexample
2143 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2144 (@value{GDBP}) run
2145 @end smallexample
2146
2147 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2148 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2149
2150 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2151 @item set startup-with-shell
2152 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2153 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2154 @itemx show set startup-with-shell
2155 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2156 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2157 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2158 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2159 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2160 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2161 startup failures such as:
2162
2163 @smallexample
2164 (@value{GDBP}) run
2165 Starting program: ./a.out
2166 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2167 @end smallexample
2168
2169 @noindent
2170 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2171 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2172 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2173 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2174 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2175 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2176
2177 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2178 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2179 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2180 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2181 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2182 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2183
2184 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2185 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2186 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2187 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2188 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2189 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2190
2191 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2192 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2193 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2194
2195 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2196 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2197
2198 @smallexample
2199 (@value{GDBP}) run
2200 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2201 @end smallexample
2202
2203 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2204 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2205
2206 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2207 @code{target native} command. For example,
2208
2209 @smallexample
2210 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2211 (@value{GDBP}) run
2212 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2213 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2214 (@value{GDBP}) run
2215 Starting program: ./a.out
2216 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2217 @end smallexample
2218
2219 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2220 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2221 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2222 disconnect.
2223
2224 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2225 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2226 proc}, @code{info os}.
2227
2228 @kindex set disable-randomization
2229 @item set disable-randomization
2230 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2231 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2232 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2233 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2234 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2235
2236 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2237 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2238
2239 @smallexample
2240 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2241 @end smallexample
2242
2243 @item set disable-randomization off
2244 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2245 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2246 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2247 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2248 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2249 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2250
2251 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2252 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2253 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2254 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2255 a code at its expected addresses.
2256
2257 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2258 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2259 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2260 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2261 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2262 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2263 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2264 a randomly chosen address.
2265
2266 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2267 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2268 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2269 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2270 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2271
2272 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2273 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2274
2275 @item show disable-randomization
2276 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2277 the virtual address space of the started program.
2278
2279 @end table
2280
2281 @node Arguments
2282 @section Your Program's Arguments
2283
2284 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2285 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2286 @code{run} command.
2287 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2288 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2289 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2290 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2291 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2292
2293 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2294 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2295 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2296 the program, not by the shell.
2297
2298 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2299 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2300
2301 @table @code
2302 @kindex set args
2303 @item set args
2304 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2305 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2306 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2307 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2308 it again without arguments.
2309
2310 @kindex show args
2311 @item show args
2312 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 @node Environment
2316 @section Your Program's Environment
2317
2318 @cindex environment (of your program)
2319 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2320 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2321 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2322 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2323 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2324 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2325 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2326
2327 @table @code
2328 @kindex path
2329 @item path @var{directory}
2330 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2331 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2332 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2333 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2334 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2335 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2336 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2337
2338 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2339 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2340 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2341 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2342 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2343 @var{directory} to the search path.
2344 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2345 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2346
2347 @kindex show paths
2348 @item show paths
2349 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2350 environment variable).
2351
2352 @kindex show environment
2353 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2354 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2355 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2356 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2357 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2358
2359 @kindex set environment
2360 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2361 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2362 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2363 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2364 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2365 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2366 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2367 null value.
2368 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2369 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2370
2371 For example, this command:
2372
2373 @smallexample
2374 set env USER = foo
2375 @end smallexample
2376
2377 @noindent
2378 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2379 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2380 are not actually required.)
2381
2382 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2383 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2384 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2385 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2386 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2387
2388 @kindex unset environment
2389 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2390 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2391 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2392 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2393 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2394 @end table
2395
2396 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2397 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2398 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2399 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2400 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2401 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2402 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2403 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2404 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2405 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2406
2407 @node Working Directory
2408 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2409
2410 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2411 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2412 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2413 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2414 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2415 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2416
2417 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2418 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2419 Specify Files}.
2420
2421 @table @code
2422 @kindex cd
2423 @cindex change working directory
2424 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2425 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2426 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2427
2428 @kindex pwd
2429 @item pwd
2430 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2431 @end table
2432
2433 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2434 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2435 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2436 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2437 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2438 current working directory of the debuggee.
2439
2440 @node Input/Output
2441 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2442
2443 @cindex redirection
2444 @cindex i/o
2445 @cindex terminal
2446 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2447 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2448 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2449 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2450 running your program.
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex info terminal
2454 @item info terminal
2455 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2456 program is using.
2457 @end table
2458
2459 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2460 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2461
2462 @smallexample
2463 run > outfile
2464 @end smallexample
2465
2466 @noindent
2467 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2468
2469 @kindex tty
2470 @cindex controlling terminal
2471 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2472 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2473 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2474 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2475 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2476
2477 @smallexample
2478 tty /dev/ttyb
2479 @end smallexample
2480
2481 @noindent
2482 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2483 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2484 that as their controlling terminal.
2485
2486 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2487 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2488 terminal.
2489
2490 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2491 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2492 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2493 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2494
2495 @cindex inferior tty
2496 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2497 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2498 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2499 program.
2500
2501 @table @code
2502 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2503 @kindex set inferior-tty
2504 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2505
2506 @item show inferior-tty
2507 @kindex show inferior-tty
2508 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2509 @end table
2510
2511 @node Attach
2512 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2513 @kindex attach
2514 @cindex attach
2515
2516 @table @code
2517 @item attach @var{process-id}
2518 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2519 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2520 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2521 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2522 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2523
2524 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2525 executing the command.
2526 @end table
2527
2528 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2529 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2530 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2531 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2532
2533 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2534 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2535 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2536 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2537 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2538 Specify Files}.
2539
2540 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2541 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2542 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2543 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2544 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2545 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2546 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2547
2548 @table @code
2549 @kindex detach
2550 @item detach
2551 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2552 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2553 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2554 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2555 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2556 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2557 executing the command.
2558 @end table
2559
2560 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2561 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2562 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2563 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2564 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2565 Messages}).
2566
2567 @node Kill Process
2568 @section Killing the Child Process
2569
2570 @table @code
2571 @kindex kill
2572 @item kill
2573 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2574 @end table
2575
2576 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2577 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2578 is running.
2579
2580 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2581 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2582 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2583 outside the debugger.
2584
2585 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2586 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2587 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2588 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2589 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2590 breakpoint settings).
2591
2592 @node Inferiors and Programs
2593 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2594
2595 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2596 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2597 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2598 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2599 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2600 from multiple executables.
2601
2602 @cindex inferior
2603 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2604 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2605 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2606 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2607 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2608 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2609 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2610 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2611 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2612 threads running in it.
2613
2614 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2615 inferiors}}:
2616
2617 @table @code
2618 @kindex info inferiors
2619 @item info inferiors
2620 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2621
2622 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2623
2624 @enumerate
2625 @item
2626 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2627
2628 @item
2629 the target system's inferior identifier
2630
2631 @item
2632 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2633
2634 @end enumerate
2635
2636 @noindent
2637 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2638 indicates the current inferior.
2639
2640 For example,
2641 @end table
2642 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2643
2644 @smallexample
2645 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2646 Num Description Executable
2647 2 process 2307 hello
2648 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2649 @end smallexample
2650
2651 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2652
2653 @table @code
2654 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2655 @item inferior @var{infno}
2656 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2657 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2658 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2659 @end table
2660
2661 @vindex $_inferior@r{, convenience variable}
2662 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_inferior} contains the
2663 number of the current inferior. You may find this useful in writing
2664 breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth.
2665 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2666 information on convenience variables.
2667
2668 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2669 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2670 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2671 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2672 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2673 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2674
2675 @table @code
2676 @kindex add-inferior
2677 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2678 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2679 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2680 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2681 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2682 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2683
2684 @kindex clone-inferior
2685 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2686 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2687 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2688 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2689 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2690
2691 @smallexample
2692 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2693 Num Description Executable
2694 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2695 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2696 Added inferior 2.
2697 1 inferiors added.
2698 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2699 Num Description Executable
2700 2 <null> helloworld
2701 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2702 @end smallexample
2703
2704 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2705
2706 @kindex remove-inferiors
2707 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2708 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2709 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2710 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2711
2712 @end table
2713
2714 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2715 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2716 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2717 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2718
2719 @table @code
2720 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2721 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2722 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2723 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2724 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2725 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2726
2727 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2728 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2729 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2730 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2731 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2732 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2733 @end table
2734
2735 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2736 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2737 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2738 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2739
2740
2741 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2742 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2743
2744 @table @code
2745 @kindex set print inferior-events
2746 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2747 @item set print inferior-events
2748 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2749 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2750 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2751 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2752 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2753 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2754
2755 @kindex show print inferior-events
2756 @item show print inferior-events
2757 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2758 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2759 @end table
2760
2761 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2762 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2763 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2764
2765
2766 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2767 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2768 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2769 info program-spaces}} command.
2770
2771 @table @code
2772 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2773 @item maint info program-spaces
2774 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2775 @value{GDBN}.
2776
2777 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2778
2779 @enumerate
2780 @item
2781 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2782
2783 @item
2784 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2785 the @code{file} command.
2786
2787 @end enumerate
2788
2789 @noindent
2790 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2791 indicates the current program space.
2792
2793 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2794 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2795 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2796
2797 @smallexample
2798 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2799 Id Executable
2800 * 1 hello
2801 2 goodbye
2802 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2803 @end smallexample
2804
2805 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2806 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2807 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2808 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2809 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2810
2811 @smallexample
2812 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2813 Id Executable
2814 * 1 vfork-test
2815 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2816 @end smallexample
2817
2818 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2819 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2820 @end table
2821
2822 @node Threads
2823 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2824
2825 @cindex threads of execution
2826 @cindex multiple threads
2827 @cindex switching threads
2828 In some operating systems, such as GNU/Linux and Solaris, a single program
2829 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2830 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2831 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2832 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2833 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2834 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2835
2836 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2837 programs:
2838
2839 @itemize @bullet
2840 @item automatic notification of new threads
2841 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2842 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2843 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2844 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2845 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2846 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2847 messages on thread start and exit.
2848 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2849 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2850 isn't compatible with the program.
2851 @end itemize
2852
2853 @cindex focus of debugging
2854 @cindex current thread
2855 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2856 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2857 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2858 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2859 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2860
2861 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2862 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2863 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2864 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2865 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2866 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2867 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2868 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2869 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2870 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2871
2872 @smallexample
2873 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2874 @end smallexample
2875
2876 @noindent
2877 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on other systems,
2878 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2879 further qualifier.
2880
2881 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2882 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2883 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2884 @c program?
2885 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2886 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2887 @c threads ab initio?
2888
2889 @cindex thread number
2890 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2891 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2892 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2893
2894 From @value{GDBN}'s perspective, a process always has at least one
2895 thread. In other words, @value{GDBN} assigns a thread number to the
2896 program's ``main thread'' even if the program is not multi-threaded.
2897
2898 @table @code
2899 @kindex info threads
2900 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2901 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2902 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2903 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2904 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2905
2906 @enumerate
2907 @item
2908 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2909
2910 @item
2911 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2912
2913 @item
2914 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2915 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2916 program itself.
2917
2918 @item
2919 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2920 @end enumerate
2921
2922 @noindent
2923 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2924 indicates the current thread.
2925
2926 For example,
2927 @end table
2928 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2929
2930 @smallexample
2931 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2932 Id Target Id Frame
2933 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2934 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2935 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2936 at threadtest.c:68
2937 @end smallexample
2938
2939 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2940 Solaris-specific command:
2941
2942 @table @code
2943 @item maint info sol-threads
2944 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2945 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2946 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2947 @end table
2948
2949 @table @code
2950 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2951 @item thread @var{threadno}
2952 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2953 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2954 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2955 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2956 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2957
2958 @smallexample
2959 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2960 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2961 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2962 8 printf ("hello\n");
2963 @end smallexample
2964
2965 @noindent
2966 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2967 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2968 threads.
2969
2970 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2971 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2972 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2973 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2974 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2975 information on convenience variables.
2976
2977 @kindex thread apply
2978 @cindex apply command to several threads
2979 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all [-ascending]] @var{command}
2980 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2981 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2982 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2983 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2984 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2985 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply
2986 a command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
2987 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
2988 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
2989
2990
2991 @kindex thread name
2992 @cindex name a thread
2993 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2994 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2995 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2996 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2997
2998 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2999 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3000 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3001 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3002 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3003
3004 @kindex thread find
3005 @cindex search for a thread
3006 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3007 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3008 matches the supplied regular expression.
3009
3010 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3011 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3012 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3013 is the LWP id.
3014
3015 @smallexample
3016 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3017 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3018 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3019 Id Target Id Frame
3020 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3021 @end smallexample
3022
3023 @kindex set print thread-events
3024 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3025 @item set print thread-events
3026 @itemx set print thread-events on
3027 @itemx set print thread-events off
3028 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3029 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3030 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3031 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3032 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3033
3034 @kindex show print thread-events
3035 @item show print thread-events
3036 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3037 have started and exited.
3038 @end table
3039
3040 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3041 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3042 programs with multiple threads.
3043
3044 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3045 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3046
3047 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3048 @table @code
3049 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3050 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3051 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3052 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3053 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3054 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3055 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3056 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3057 macro.
3058
3059 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3060 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3061 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3062 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3063 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3064 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3065
3066 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3067 refers to the default system directories that are
3068 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3069 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3070 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3071
3072 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3073 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3074 was loaded in the inferior process.
3075
3076 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3077 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3078 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3079 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3080 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3081 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3082 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3083
3084 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3085 only on some platforms.
3086
3087 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3088 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3089 Display current libthread_db search path.
3090
3091 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3092 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3093 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3094 @item set debug libthread-db
3095 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3096 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3097 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3098 @end table
3099
3100 @node Forks
3101 @section Debugging Forks
3102
3103 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3104 @cindex multiple processes
3105 @cindex processes, multiple
3106 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3107 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3108 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3109 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3110 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3111 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3112 will cause it to terminate.
3113
3114 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3115 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3116 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3117 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3118 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3119 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3120 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3121 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3122 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3123 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3124
3125 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs
3126 that create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork}
3127 functions. On @sc{gnu}/Linux platforms, this feature is supported
3128 with kernel version 2.5.46 and later.
3129
3130 The fork debugging commands are supported in native mode and when
3131 connected to @code{gdbserver} in either @code{target remote} mode or
3132 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3133
3134 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3135 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3136
3137 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3138 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3139
3140 @table @code
3141 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3142 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3143 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3144 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3145 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3146
3147 @table @code
3148 @item parent
3149 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3150 unimpeded. This is the default.
3151
3152 @item child
3153 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3154 unimpeded.
3155
3156 @end table
3157
3158 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3159 @item show follow-fork-mode
3160 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3161 @end table
3162
3163 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3164 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3165 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3166
3167 @table @code
3168 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3169 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3170 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3171 retain debugger control over them both.
3172
3173 @table @code
3174 @item on
3175 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3176 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3177 independently. This is the default.
3178
3179 @item off
3180 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3181 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3182 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3183 is held suspended.
3184
3185 @end table
3186
3187 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3188 @item show detach-on-fork
3189 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3190 @end table
3191
3192 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3193 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3194 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3195 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3196 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3197 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3198
3199 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3200 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3201 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3202 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3203 and Programs}.
3204
3205 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3206 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3207 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3208 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3209 the child process's @code{main}.
3210
3211 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3212 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3213
3214 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3215 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3216 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3217 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3218 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3219 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3220 command.
3221
3222 @table @code
3223 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3224 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3225
3226 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3227 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3228
3229 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3230
3231 @table @code
3232 @item new
3233 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3234 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3235 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3236 original inferior.
3237
3238 For example:
3239
3240 @smallexample
3241 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3242 (gdb) info inferior
3243 Id Description Executable
3244 * 1 <null> prog1
3245 (@value{GDBP}) run
3246 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3247 Program exited normally.
3248 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3249 Id Description Executable
3250 1 <null> prog1
3251 * 2 <null> prog2
3252 @end smallexample
3253
3254 @item same
3255 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3256 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3257 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3258 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3259 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3260
3261 For example:
3262
3263 @smallexample
3264 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3265 Id Description Executable
3266 * 1 <null> prog1
3267 (@value{GDBP}) run
3268 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3269 Program exited normally.
3270 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3271 Id Description Executable
3272 * 1 <null> prog2
3273 @end smallexample
3274
3275 @end table
3276 @end table
3277
3278 @code{follow-exec-mode} is supported in native mode and
3279 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3280
3281 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3282 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3283 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3284
3285 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3286 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3287
3288 @cindex checkpoint
3289 @cindex restart
3290 @cindex bookmark
3291 @cindex snapshot of a process
3292 @cindex rewind program state
3293
3294 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3295 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3296 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3297 later.
3298
3299 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3300 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3301 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3302 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3303 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3304
3305 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3306 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3307 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3308 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3309 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3310 start again from there.
3311
3312 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3313 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3314
3315 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3316
3317 @table @code
3318 @kindex checkpoint
3319 @item checkpoint
3320 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3321 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3322 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3323
3324 @kindex info checkpoints
3325 @item info checkpoints
3326 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3327 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3328 listed:
3329
3330 @table @code
3331 @item Checkpoint ID
3332 @item Process ID
3333 @item Code Address
3334 @item Source line, or label
3335 @end table
3336
3337 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3338 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3339 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3340 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3341 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3342 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3343 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3344
3345 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3346 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3347 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3348 the debugger.
3349
3350 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3351 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3352 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3353
3354 @end table
3355
3356 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3357 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3358 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3359 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3360 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3361 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3362 previously read data can be read again.
3363
3364 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3365 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3366 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3367 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3368 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3369 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3370
3371 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3372 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3373 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3374 different execution path this time.
3375
3376 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3377 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3378 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3379 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3380 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3381 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3382 potentially pose a problem.
3383
3384 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3385
3386 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3387 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3388 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3389 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3390 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3391 next.
3392
3393 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3394 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3395 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3396 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3397 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3398
3399 @node Stopping
3400 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3401
3402 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3403 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3404 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3405
3406 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3407 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3408 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3409 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3410 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3411 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3412 explicitly request this information at any time.
3413
3414 @table @code
3415 @kindex info program
3416 @item info program
3417 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3418 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3419 @end table
3420
3421 @menu
3422 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3423 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3424 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3425 Skipping over functions and files
3426 * Signals:: Signals
3427 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3428 @end menu
3429
3430 @node Breakpoints
3431 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3432
3433 @cindex breakpoints
3434 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3435 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3436 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3437 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3438 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3439 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3440 program.
3441
3442 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3443 the executable is run.
3444
3445 @cindex watchpoints
3446 @cindex data breakpoints
3447 @cindex memory tracing
3448 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3449 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3450 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3451 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3452 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3453 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3454 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3455 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3456 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3457 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3458 same commands.
3459
3460 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3461 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3462 Automatic Display}.
3463
3464 @cindex catchpoints
3465 @cindex breakpoint on events
3466 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3467 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3468 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3469 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3470 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3471 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3472 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3473
3474 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3475 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3476 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3477 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3478 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3479 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3480 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3481 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3482 enable it again.
3483
3484 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3485 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3486 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3487 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3488 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3489 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3490 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3491
3492 @menu
3493 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3494 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3495 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3496 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3497 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3498 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3499 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3500 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3501 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3502 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3503 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3504 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3505 @end menu
3506
3507 @node Set Breaks
3508 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3509
3510 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3511 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3512 @c
3513 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3514
3515 @kindex break
3516 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3517 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3518 @cindex latest breakpoint
3519 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3520 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3521 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3522 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3523 convenience variables.
3524
3525 @table @code
3526 @item break @var{location}
3527 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3528 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3529 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3530 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3531 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3532
3533 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3534 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3535 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3536 that situation.
3537
3538 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3539 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3540 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3541
3542 @item break
3543 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3544 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3545 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3546 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3547 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3548 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3549 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3550 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3551 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3552 inside loops.
3553
3554 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3555 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3556 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3557 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3558 existed when your program stopped.
3559
3560 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3561 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3562 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3563 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3564 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3565 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3566 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3567
3568 @kindex tbreak
3569 @item tbreak @var{args}
3570 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3571 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3572 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3573 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3574
3575 @kindex hbreak
3576 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3577 @item hbreak @var{args}
3578 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
3579 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3580 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3581 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3582 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3583 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3584 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3585 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3586 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3587 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3588 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3589 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3590 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3591 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3592 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3593 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3594 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3595 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3596
3597 @kindex thbreak
3598 @item thbreak @var{args}
3599 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
3600 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3601 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3602 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3603 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3604 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3605 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3606 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3607
3608 @kindex rbreak
3609 @cindex regular expression
3610 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3611 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3612 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3613 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3614 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3615 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3616 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3617 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3618 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3619
3620 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3621 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3622 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3623 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3624 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3625 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3626
3627 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3628 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3629 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3630 classes.
3631
3632 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3633 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3634 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3635
3636 @smallexample
3637 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3638 @end smallexample
3639
3640 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3641 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3642 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3643 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3644 every function in a given file:
3645
3646 @smallexample
3647 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3648 @end smallexample
3649
3650 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3651 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3652
3653 @kindex info breakpoints
3654 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3655 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3656 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3657 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3658 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3659 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3660 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3661
3662 @table @emph
3663 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3664 @item Type
3665 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3666 @item Disposition
3667 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3668 @item Enabled or Disabled
3669 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3670 that are not enabled.
3671 @item Address
3672 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3673 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3674 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3675 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3676 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3677 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3678 @item What
3679 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3680 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3681 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3682 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3683 @end table
3684
3685 @noindent
3686 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3687 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3688 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3689 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3690 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3691 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3692
3693 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3694 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3695 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3696 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3697
3698 @noindent
3699 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3700 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3701 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3702 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3703 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3704
3705 @noindent
3706 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3707 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3708 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3709 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3710 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3711 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3712
3713 @noindent
3714 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3715 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3716
3717 @end table
3718
3719 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3720 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3721 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3722 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3723
3724 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3725 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3726 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3727 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3728
3729 @itemize @bullet
3730 @item
3731 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3732
3733 @item
3734 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3735 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3736
3737 @item
3738 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3739 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3740
3741 @item
3742 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3743 several places where that function is inlined.
3744 @end itemize
3745
3746 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3747 the relevant locations.
3748
3749 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3750 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3751 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3752 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3753 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3754 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3755 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3756
3757 For example:
3758
3759 @smallexample
3760 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3761 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3762 stop only if i==1
3763 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3764 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3765 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3766 @end smallexample
3767
3768 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3769 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3770 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3771 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3772 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3773 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3774 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3775 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3776 that belong to that breakpoint.
3777
3778 @cindex pending breakpoints
3779 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3780 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3781 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3782 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3783 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3784 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3785 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3786 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3787 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3788 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3789 is not yet resolved.
3790
3791 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3792 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3793 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3794 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3795 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3796 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3797
3798 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3799 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3800 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3801 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3802
3803 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3804 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3805 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3806
3807 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3808 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3809 address specification to an address:
3810
3811 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3812 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3813 @table @code
3814 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3815 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3816 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3817
3818 @item set breakpoint pending on
3819 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3820 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3821
3822 @item set breakpoint pending off
3823 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3824 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3825 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3826
3827 @item show breakpoint pending
3828 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3829 @end table
3830
3831 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3832 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3833 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3834
3835 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3836 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3837 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3838 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3839 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3840 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3841 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3842 breakpoints.
3843
3844 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3845
3846 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3847 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3848 @table @code
3849 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3850 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3851 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3852 breakpoint must be used.
3853
3854 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3855 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3856 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3857 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3858 @end table
3859
3860 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3861 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3862 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3863 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3864 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3865 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3866 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3867 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3868 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3869
3870 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3871 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3872 @table @code
3873 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3874 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3875 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3876 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
3877
3878 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3879 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3880 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3881 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3882 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
3883 @end table
3884
3885 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3886 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3887 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3888
3889 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3890 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3891
3892 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3893
3894 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3895 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3896 @table @code
3897 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3898 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3899 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3900 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3901 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3902
3903 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3904 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3905 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3906 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3907 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3908 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3909 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3910 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3911 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3912 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3913 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3914 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3915 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3916
3917 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3918 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3919 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3920 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3921 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3922 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3923 @end table
3924
3925
3926 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3927 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3928 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3929 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3930 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3931 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3932 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3933 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3934
3935
3936 @node Set Watchpoints
3937 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3938
3939 @cindex setting watchpoints
3940 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3941 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3942 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3943 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3944 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3945
3946 @itemize @bullet
3947 @item
3948 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3949
3950 @item
3951 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3952 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3953 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3954
3955 @item
3956 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3957 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3958 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3959 @end itemize
3960
3961 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3962 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3963 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3964 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3965 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3966 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3967 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3968 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3969 the expression changes.
3970
3971 @cindex software watchpoints
3972 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3973 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3974 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3975 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3976 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3977 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3978 culprit.)
3979
3980 On some systems, such as most PowerPC or x86-based targets,
3981 @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware watchpoints, which do not
3982 slow down the running of your program.
3983
3984 @table @code
3985 @kindex watch
3986 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3987 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3988 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3989 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3990 to watch the value of a single variable:
3991
3992 @smallexample
3993 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3994 @end smallexample
3995
3996 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3997 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3998 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3999 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4000 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4001 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4002
4003 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4004 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4005 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4006 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4007 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4008 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4009 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4010 error.
4011
4012 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4013 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4014 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4015 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4016 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4017 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4018 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4019 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4020 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4021 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4022 Examples:
4023
4024 @smallexample
4025 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4026 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4027 @end smallexample
4028
4029 @kindex rwatch
4030 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4031 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4032 by the program.
4033
4034 @kindex awatch
4035 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4036 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4037 or written into by the program.
4038
4039 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4040 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4041 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4042 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4043 @end table
4044
4045 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4046 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4047 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4048 a never-changing value:
4049
4050 @smallexample
4051 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4052 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4053 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4054 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4055 @end smallexample
4056
4057 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4058 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4059 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4060 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4061 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4062 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4063
4064 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4065 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4066 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4067 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4068 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4069 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4070 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4071 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4072
4073 @table @code
4074 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4075 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4076 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4077
4078 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4079 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4080 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4081 @end table
4082
4083 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4084 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4085 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4086
4087 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4088
4089 @smallexample
4090 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4091 @end smallexample
4092
4093 @noindent
4094 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4095
4096 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4097 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4098 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4099 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4100 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4101 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4102 will print a message like this:
4103
4104 @smallexample
4105 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4106 @end smallexample
4107
4108 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4109 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4110 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4111 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4112 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4113 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4114 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4115 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4116
4117 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4118 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4119 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4120 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4121 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4122 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4123
4124 @smallexample
4125 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4126 @end smallexample
4127
4128 @noindent
4129 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4130
4131 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4132 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4133 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4134 expression with separately allocated resources.
4135
4136 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4137 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4138 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4139
4140 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4141 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4142 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4143 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4144 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4145 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4146 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4147 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4148 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4149
4150 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4151 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4152 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4153 watched expression from every thread.
4154
4155 @quotation
4156 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4157 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4158 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4159 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4160 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4161 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4162 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4163 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4164 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4165 @end quotation
4166
4167 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4168
4169 @node Set Catchpoints
4170 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4171 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4172 @cindex exception handlers
4173 @cindex event handling
4174
4175 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4176 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4177 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4178
4179 @table @code
4180 @kindex catch
4181 @item catch @var{event}
4182 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4183
4184 @table @code
4185 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4186 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4187 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4188 @kindex catch throw
4189 @kindex catch rethrow
4190 @kindex catch catch
4191 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4192 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4193
4194 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4195 regular expression will be caught.
4196
4197 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4198 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4199 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4200 exception being thrown.
4201
4202 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4203 @value{GDBN}:
4204
4205 @itemize @bullet
4206 @item
4207 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4208 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4209 supported.
4210
4211 @item
4212 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4213 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4214 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4215 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4216 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4217 built.
4218
4219 @item
4220 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4221 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4222
4223 @item
4224 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4225 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4226 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4227 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4228
4229 @item
4230 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4231 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4232 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4233 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4234 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4235 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4236 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4237 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4238 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4239
4240 @item
4241 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4242
4243 @item
4244 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4245 @end itemize
4246
4247 @item exception
4248 @kindex catch exception
4249 @cindex Ada exception catching
4250 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4251 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4252 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4253 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4254 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4255
4256 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4257 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4258 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4259 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4260 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4261 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4262 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4263 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4264
4265 @item exception unhandled
4266 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4267 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4268
4269 @item assert
4270 @kindex catch assert
4271 A failed Ada assertion.
4272
4273 @item exec
4274 @kindex catch exec
4275 @cindex break on fork/exec
4276 A call to @code{exec}.
4277
4278 @item syscall
4279 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4280 @kindex catch syscall
4281 @cindex break on a system call.
4282 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4283 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4284 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4285 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4286 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4287 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4288 will be caught.
4289
4290 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4291 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4292 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4293 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4294
4295 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4296 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4297 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4298 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4299
4300 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4301 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4302 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4303 available choices.
4304
4305 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4306 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4307 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4308 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4309 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4310 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4311 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4312 behind the OS upgrades).
4313
4314 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4315 arguments to it:
4316
4317 @smallexample
4318 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4319 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4320 (@value{GDBP}) r
4321 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4322
4323 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4324 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4325 (@value{GDBP}) c
4326 Continuing.
4327
4328 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4329 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4330 (@value{GDBP})
4331 @end smallexample
4332
4333 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4334
4335 @smallexample
4336 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4337 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4338 (@value{GDBP}) r
4339 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4340
4341 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4342 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4343 (@value{GDBP}) c
4344 Continuing.
4345
4346 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4347 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4348 (@value{GDBP})
4349 @end smallexample
4350
4351 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4352 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4353 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4354
4355 @smallexample
4356 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4357 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4358 (@value{GDBP}) r
4359 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4360
4361 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4362 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4363 (@value{GDBP}) c
4364 Continuing.
4365
4366 Program exited normally.
4367 (@value{GDBP})
4368 @end smallexample
4369
4370 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4371 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4372 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4373 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4374
4375 @smallexample
4376 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4377 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4378 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4379 (@value{GDBP})
4380 @end smallexample
4381
4382 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4383 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4384 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4385 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4386 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4387 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4388
4389 @smallexample
4390 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4391 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4392 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4393 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4394 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4395 (@value{GDBP})
4396 @end smallexample
4397
4398 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4399
4400 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4401 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4402
4403 @smallexample
4404 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4405 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4406 @end smallexample
4407
4408 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4409
4410 @item fork
4411 @kindex catch fork
4412 A call to @code{fork}.
4413
4414 @item vfork
4415 @kindex catch vfork
4416 A call to @code{vfork}.
4417
4418 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4419 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4420 @kindex catch load
4421 @kindex catch unload
4422 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4423 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4424 matches one of the affected libraries.
4425
4426 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4427 @kindex catch signal
4428 The delivery of a signal.
4429
4430 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4431 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4432 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4433
4434 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4435 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4436 signal names.
4437
4438 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4439 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4440 will be caught.
4441
4442 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4443 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4444 catchpoint.
4445
4446 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4447 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4448 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4449 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4450 commands.
4451
4452 @end table
4453
4454 @item tcatch @var{event}
4455 @kindex tcatch
4456 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4457 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4458
4459 @end table
4460
4461 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4462
4463
4464 @node Delete Breaks
4465 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4466
4467 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4468 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4469 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4470 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4471 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4472 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4473
4474 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4475 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4476 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4477 their breakpoint numbers.
4478
4479 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4480 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4481 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4482
4483 @table @code
4484 @kindex clear
4485 @item clear
4486 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4487 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4488 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4489 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4490
4491 @item clear @var{location}
4492 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4493 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4494 most useful ones are listed below:
4495
4496 @table @code
4497 @item clear @var{function}
4498 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4499 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4500
4501 @item clear @var{linenum}
4502 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4503 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4504 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4505 @end table
4506
4507 @cindex delete breakpoints
4508 @kindex delete
4509 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4510 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4511 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4512 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4513 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4514 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4515 @end table
4516
4517 @node Disabling
4518 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4519
4520 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4521 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4522 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4523 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4524 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4525
4526 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4527 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4528 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4529 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4530 do not know which numbers to use.
4531
4532 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4533 affects all of its locations.
4534
4535 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4536 different states of enablement:
4537
4538 @itemize @bullet
4539 @item
4540 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4541 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4542 @item
4543 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4544 @item
4545 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4546 disabled.
4547 @item
4548 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4549 N times, then becomes disabled.
4550 @item
4551 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4552 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4553 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4554 @end itemize
4555
4556 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4557 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4558
4559 @table @code
4560 @kindex disable
4561 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4562 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4563 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4564 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4565 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4566 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4567 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4568
4569 @kindex enable
4570 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4571 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4572 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4573
4574 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4575 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4576 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4577
4578 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4579 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4580 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4581 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4582 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4583 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4584 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4585
4586 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4587 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4588 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4589 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4590 @end table
4591
4592 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4593 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4594 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4595 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4596 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4597 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4598 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4599 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4600 Stepping}.)
4601
4602 @node Conditions
4603 @subsection Break Conditions
4604 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4605 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4606
4607 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4608 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4609 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4610 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4611 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4612 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4613 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4614 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4615
4616 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4617 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4618 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4619 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4620 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4621
4622 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4623 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4624 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4625 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4626 one.
4627
4628 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4629 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4630 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4631 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4632 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4633 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4634 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4635 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4636 conditions for the
4637 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4638 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4639
4640 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4641 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4642 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4643 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4644 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4645 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4646
4647 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4648 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4649 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4650 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4651 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4652
4653 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4654 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4655 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4656 with the @code{condition} command.
4657
4658 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4659 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4660 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4661 catchpoint.
4662
4663 @table @code
4664 @kindex condition
4665 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4666 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4667 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4668 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4669 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4670 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4671 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4672 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4673 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4674 prints an error message:
4675
4676 @smallexample
4677 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4678 @end smallexample
4679
4680 @noindent
4681 @value{GDBN} does
4682 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4683 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4684 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4685
4686 @item condition @var{bnum}
4687 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4688 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4689 @end table
4690
4691 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4692 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4693 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4694 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4695 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4696 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4697 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4698 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4699 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4700 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4701 your program reaches it.
4702
4703 @table @code
4704 @kindex ignore
4705 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4706 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4707 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4708 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4709 takes no action.
4710
4711 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4712 a count of zero.
4713
4714 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4715 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4716 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4717 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4718
4719 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4720 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4721 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4722
4723 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4724 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4725 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4726 Variables}.
4727 @end table
4728
4729 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4730
4731
4732 @node Break Commands
4733 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4734
4735 @cindex breakpoint commands
4736 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4737 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4738 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4739 enable other breakpoints.
4740
4741 @table @code
4742 @kindex commands
4743 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4744 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4745 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4746 @itemx end
4747 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4748 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4749 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4750
4751 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4752 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4753
4754 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4755 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4756 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4757 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4758 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4759 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4760 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4761 Expressions}).
4762 @end table
4763
4764 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4765 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4766
4767 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4768 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4769 that resumes execution.
4770
4771 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4772 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4773 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4774 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4775 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4776
4777 @kindex silent
4778 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4779 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4780 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4781 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4782 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4783 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4784
4785 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4786 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4787 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4788
4789 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4790 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4791
4792 @smallexample
4793 break foo if x>0
4794 commands
4795 silent
4796 printf "x is %d\n",x
4797 cont
4798 end
4799 @end smallexample
4800
4801 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4802 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4803 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4804 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4805 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4806 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4807 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4808
4809 @smallexample
4810 break 403
4811 commands
4812 silent
4813 set x = y + 4
4814 cont
4815 end
4816 @end smallexample
4817
4818 @node Dynamic Printf
4819 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4820
4821 @cindex dynamic printf
4822 @cindex dprintf
4823 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4824 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4825 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4826 having to recompile it.
4827
4828 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4829 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4830 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4831 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4832 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4833 redirects to files and so forth.
4834
4835 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4836 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4837 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4838 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4839 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4840 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4841 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4842
4843 @table @code
4844 @kindex dprintf
4845 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4846 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4847 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4848 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4849
4850 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4851 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4852 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4853 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4854 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4855 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4856
4857 @item gdb
4858 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4859 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4860
4861 @item call
4862 @kindex dprintf-style call
4863 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4864 @code{printf}).
4865
4866 @item agent
4867 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4868 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4869 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4870 support running commands on the target.
4871
4872 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4873 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4874 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4875 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4876 command.
4877
4878 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4879 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4880 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4881 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4882 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4883 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4884
4885 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4886 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4887 you could do the following:
4888
4889 @example
4890 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4891 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4892 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4893 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4894 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4895 (gdb) info break
4896 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4897 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4898 continue
4899 (gdb)
4900 @end example
4901
4902 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4903 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4904 the variable settings.
4905
4906 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4907 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4908 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4909 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4910 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4911 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4912
4913 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4914 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4915 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4916
4917 @end table
4918
4919 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4920 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4921 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4922 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4923 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4924 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4925
4926 @node Save Breakpoints
4927 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4928
4929 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4930 breakpoints}} command.
4931
4932 @table @code
4933 @kindex save breakpoints
4934 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4935 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4936 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4937 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4938 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4939 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4940 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4941 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4942 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4943 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4944 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4945 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4946 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4947 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4948 that can no longer be recreated.
4949 @end table
4950
4951 @node Static Probe Points
4952 @subsection Static Probe Points
4953
4954 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4955 @cindex static probe point, DTrace
4956 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4957 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4958 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations.
4959
4960 Currently, the following types of probes are supported on
4961 ELF-compatible systems:
4962
4963 @itemize @bullet
4964
4965 @item @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4966 @acronym{SDT} probes@footnote{See
4967 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4968 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT}
4969 probes in your applications.}. @code{SystemTap} probes are usable
4970 from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages@footnote{See
4971 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4972 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.}.
4973
4974 @item @code{DTrace} (@uref{http://oss.oracle.com/projects/DTrace})
4975 @acronym{USDT} probes. @code{DTrace} probes are usable from C and
4976 C@t{++} languages.
4977 @end itemize
4978
4979 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4980 Some @code{SystemTap} probes have an associated semaphore variable;
4981 for instance, this happens automatically if you defined your probe
4982 using a DTrace-style @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore,
4983 @value{GDBN} will automatically enable it when you specify a
4984 breakpoint using the @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a
4985 breakpoint at a probe's location by some other method (e.g.,
4986 @code{break file:line}), then @value{GDBN} will not automatically set
4987 the semaphore. @code{DTrace} probes do not support semaphores.
4988
4989 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4990 probes}, with optional arguments:
4991
4992 @table @code
4993 @kindex info probes
4994 @item info probes @r{[}@var{type}@r{]} @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4995 If given, @var{type} is either @code{stap} for listing
4996 @code{SystemTap} probes or @code{dtrace} for listing @code{DTrace}
4997 probes. If omitted all probes are listed regardless of their types.
4998
4999 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
5000 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5001 probes from all providers are listed.
5002
5003 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5004 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5005 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5006
5007 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5008 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5009 given, all object files are considered.
5010
5011 @item info probes all
5012 List the available static probes, from all types.
5013 @end table
5014
5015 @cindex enabling and disabling probes
5016 Some probe points can be enabled and/or disabled. The effect of
5017 enabling or disabling a probe depends on the type of probe being
5018 handled. Some @code{DTrace} probes can be enabled or
5019 disabled, but @code{SystemTap} probes cannot be disabled.
5020
5021 You can enable (or disable) one or more probes using the following
5022 commands, with optional arguments:
5023
5024 @table @code
5025 @kindex enable probes
5026 @item enable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5027 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against
5028 provider names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted,
5029 all probes from all providers are enabled.
5030
5031 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe
5032 names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted, probe names
5033 are not considered when deciding whether to enable them.
5034
5035 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5036 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5037 given, all object files are considered.
5038
5039 @kindex disable probes
5040 @item disable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5041 See the @code{enable probes} command above for a description of the
5042 optional arguments accepted by this command.
5043 @end table
5044
5045 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5046 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5047 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5048 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5049 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5050 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. In @code{SystemTap}
5051 probes each probe argument is an integer of the appropriate size;
5052 types are not preserved. In @code{DTrace} probes types are preserved
5053 provided that they are recognized as such by @value{GDBN}; otherwise
5054 the value of the probe argument will be a long integer. The
5055 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5056 at the current probe point.
5057
5058 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5059 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5060 an error message.
5061
5062
5063 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5064 @node Error in Breakpoints
5065 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5066
5067 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5068 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5069
5070 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5071 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5072 @smallexample
5073 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5074 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5075 @end smallexample
5076
5077 @noindent
5078 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5079 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5080 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5081
5082 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5083 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5084
5085 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5086 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5087 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5088
5089 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5090 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5091 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5092 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5093
5094 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5095 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5096 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5097 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5098 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5099 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5100 first in the bundle.
5101
5102 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5103 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5104 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5105 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5106 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5107 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5108 is hit.
5109
5110 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5111 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5112
5113 @smallexample
5114 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5115 @end smallexample
5116
5117 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5118 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5119 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5120 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5121 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5122 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5123 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5124 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5125
5126 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5127 adjusted breakpoints:
5128
5129 @smallexample
5130 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5131 to 0x00010410.
5132 @end smallexample
5133
5134 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5135 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5136 frequently than expected.
5137
5138 @node Continuing and Stepping
5139 @section Continuing and Stepping
5140
5141 @cindex stepping
5142 @cindex continuing
5143 @cindex resuming execution
5144 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5145 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5146 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5147 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5148 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5149 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5150 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5151 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5152 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5153 handlers}).)
5154
5155 @table @code
5156 @kindex continue
5157 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5158 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5159 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5160 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5161 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5162 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5163 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5164 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5165 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5166 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5167
5168 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5169 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5170 @code{continue} is ignored.
5171
5172 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5173 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5174 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5175 @code{continue}.
5176 @end table
5177
5178 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5179 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5180 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5181 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5182
5183 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5184 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5185 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5186 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5187 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5188 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5189
5190 @table @code
5191 @kindex step
5192 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5193 @item step
5194 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5195 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5196 abbreviated @code{s}.
5197
5198 @quotation
5199 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5200 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5201 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5202 @c distinction here.
5203 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5204 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5205 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5206 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5207 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5208 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5209 below.
5210 @end quotation
5211
5212 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5213 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5214 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5215 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5216 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5217 called within the line.
5218
5219 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5220 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5221 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5222 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5223 was any debugging information about the routine.
5224
5225 @item step @var{count}
5226 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5227 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5228 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5229
5230 @kindex next
5231 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5232 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5233 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5234 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5235 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5236 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5237 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5238 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5239
5240 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5241
5242
5243 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5244 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5245 @c
5246 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5247 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5248 @c function are executed without stopping.
5249
5250 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5251 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5252 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5253
5254 @kindex set step-mode
5255 @item set step-mode
5256 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5257 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5258 @itemx set step-mode on
5259 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5260 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5261 information rather than stepping over it.
5262
5263 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5264 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5265 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5266
5267 @item set step-mode off
5268 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5269 debug information. This is the default.
5270
5271 @item show step-mode
5272 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5273 source line debug information.
5274
5275 @kindex finish
5276 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5277 @item finish
5278 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5279 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5280 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5281
5282 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5283 ,Returning from a Function}).
5284
5285 @kindex until
5286 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5287 @cindex run until specified location
5288 @item until
5289 @itemx u
5290 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5291 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5292 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5293 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5294 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5295 than the address of the jump.
5296
5297 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5298 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5299 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5300 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5301 through the next iteration.
5302
5303 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5304 stack frame.
5305
5306 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5307 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5308 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5309 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5310 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5311
5312 @smallexample
5313 (@value{GDBP}) f
5314 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5315 206 expand_input();
5316 (@value{GDBP}) until
5317 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5318 @end smallexample
5319
5320 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5321 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5322 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5323 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5324 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5325 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5326 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5327
5328 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5329 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5330 argument.
5331
5332 @item until @var{location}
5333 @itemx u @var{location}
5334 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5335 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5336 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5337 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5338 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5339 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5340 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5341 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5342 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5343 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5344 invocations have returned.
5345
5346 @smallexample
5347 94 int factorial (int value)
5348 95 @{
5349 96 if (value > 1) @{
5350 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5351 98 @}
5352 99 return (value);
5353 100 @}
5354 @end smallexample
5355
5356
5357 @kindex advance @var{location}
5358 @item advance @var{location}
5359 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5360 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5361 @ref{Specify Location}.
5362 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5363 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5364 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5365 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5366
5367
5368 @kindex stepi
5369 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5370 @item stepi
5371 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5372 @itemx si
5373 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5374
5375 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5376 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5377 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5378 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5379
5380 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5381
5382 @need 750
5383 @kindex nexti
5384 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5385 @item nexti
5386 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5387 @itemx ni
5388 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5389 proceed until the function returns.
5390
5391 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5392
5393 @end table
5394
5395 @anchor{range stepping}
5396 @cindex range stepping
5397 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5398 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5399 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5400 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5401 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5402 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5403 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5404 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5405 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5406 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5407 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5408 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5409 if necessary:
5410
5411 @table @code
5412 @kindex set range-stepping
5413 @kindex show range-stepping
5414 @item set range-stepping
5415 @itemx show range-stepping
5416 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5417
5418 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5419 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5420 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5421 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5422 default is @code{on}.
5423
5424 @end table
5425
5426 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5427 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5428 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5429
5430 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5431 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5432 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5433
5434 For example, consider the following C function:
5435
5436 @smallexample
5437 101 int func()
5438 102 @{
5439 103 foo(boring());
5440 104 bar(boring());
5441 105 @}
5442 @end smallexample
5443
5444 @noindent
5445 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5446 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5447 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5448 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5449
5450 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5451 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5452 is called from many places.
5453
5454 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5455 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5456 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5457 @code{foo}.
5458
5459 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5460 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5461
5462 @table @code
5463 @kindex skip function
5464 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5465 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5466 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5467 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5468 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5469
5470 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5471 will be skipped.
5472
5473 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5474 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5475
5476 @kindex skip file
5477 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5478 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5479 will be skipped over when stepping.
5480
5481 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5482 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5483 @end table
5484
5485 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5486 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5487
5488 @table @code
5489 @kindex info skip
5490 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5491 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5492 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5493 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5494
5495 @table @emph
5496 @item Identifier
5497 A number identifying this skip.
5498 @item Type
5499 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5500 @item Enabled or Disabled
5501 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5502 @item Address
5503 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5504 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5505 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5506 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5507 address here.
5508 @item What
5509 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5510 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5511 where it is defined.
5512 @end table
5513
5514 @kindex skip delete
5515 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5516 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5517 skips.
5518
5519 @kindex skip enable
5520 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5521 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5522 skips.
5523
5524 @kindex skip disable
5525 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5526 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5527 skips.
5528
5529 @end table
5530
5531 @node Signals
5532 @section Signals
5533 @cindex signals
5534
5535 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5536 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5537 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5538 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5539 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5540 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5541 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5542 requested an alarm).
5543
5544 @cindex fatal signals
5545 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5546 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5547 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5548 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5549 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5550 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5551
5552 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5553 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5554 signal.
5555
5556 @cindex handling signals
5557 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5558 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5559 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5560 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5561 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5562
5563 @table @code
5564 @kindex info signals
5565 @kindex info handle
5566 @item info signals
5567 @itemx info handle
5568 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5569 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5570 the defined types of signals.
5571
5572 @item info signals @var{sig}
5573 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5574
5575 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5576
5577 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5578 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5579 for details about this command.
5580
5581 @kindex handle
5582 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5583 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
5584 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5585 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5586 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5587 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5588 say what change to make.
5589 @end table
5590
5591 @c @group
5592 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5593 Their full names are:
5594
5595 @table @code
5596 @item nostop
5597 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5598 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5599
5600 @item stop
5601 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5602 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5603
5604 @item print
5605 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5606
5607 @item noprint
5608 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5609 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5610
5611 @item pass
5612 @itemx noignore
5613 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5614 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5615 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5616
5617 @item nopass
5618 @itemx ignore
5619 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5620 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5621 @end table
5622 @c @end group
5623
5624 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5625 program until you
5626 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5627 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5628 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5629 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5630 program sees that signal when you continue.
5631
5632 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5633 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5634 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5635 erroneous signals.
5636
5637 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5638 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5639 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5640 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5641 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5642 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5643 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5644 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5645 Program a Signal}.
5646
5647 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
5648 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
5649
5650 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
5651 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
5652 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
5653 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
5654 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
5655 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
5656 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
5657 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
5658 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
5659 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
5660 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
5661 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
5662 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
5663
5664 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
5665
5666 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
5667 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
5668 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
5669 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
5670
5671 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
5672 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
5673 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
5674 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
5675
5676 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
5677 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
5678
5679 @smallexample
5680 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
5681 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
5682 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
5683 (@value{GDBP}) c
5684 Continuing.
5685
5686 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
5687 main () sigusr1.c:28
5688 28 p = 0;
5689 (@value{GDBP}) si
5690 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
5691 9 @{
5692 @end smallexample
5693
5694 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
5695 program to receive the signal first:
5696
5697 @smallexample
5698 (@value{GDBP}) n
5699 28 p = 0;
5700 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
5701 (@value{GDBP}) si
5702 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
5703 9 @{
5704 (@value{GDBP})
5705 @end smallexample
5706
5707 @cindex extra signal information
5708 @anchor{extra signal information}
5709
5710 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5711 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5712 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5713 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5714 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5715 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5716 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5717 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5718 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5719 system header.
5720
5721 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5722 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5723
5724 @smallexample
5725 @group
5726 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5727 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5728 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5729 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5730 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5731 type = struct @{
5732 int si_signo;
5733 int si_errno;
5734 int si_code;
5735 union @{
5736 int _pad[28];
5737 struct @{...@} _kill;
5738 struct @{...@} _timer;
5739 struct @{...@} _rt;
5740 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5741 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5742 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5743 @} _sifields;
5744 @}
5745 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5746 type = struct @{
5747 void *si_addr;
5748 @}
5749 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5750 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5751 @end group
5752 @end smallexample
5753
5754 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5755
5756 @node Thread Stops
5757 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5758
5759 @cindex stopped threads
5760 @cindex threads, stopped
5761
5762 @cindex continuing threads
5763 @cindex threads, continuing
5764
5765 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5766 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5767 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5768 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5769 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5770 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5771 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5772 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5773 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5774
5775 @menu
5776 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5777 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5778 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5779 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5780 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5781 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5782 @end menu
5783
5784 @node All-Stop Mode
5785 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5786
5787 @cindex all-stop mode
5788
5789 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5790 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5791 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5792 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5793 underfoot.
5794
5795 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5796 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5797 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5798
5799 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5800 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5801 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5802 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5803 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5804 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5805 stops.
5806
5807 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5808 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5809 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5810 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5811
5812 @cindex automatic thread selection
5813 @cindex switching threads automatically
5814 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5815 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5816 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5817 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5818 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5819 thread.
5820
5821 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5822 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5823
5824 @table @code
5825 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5826 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5827 @cindex lock scheduler
5828 Set the scheduler locking mode. It applies to normal execution,
5829 record mode, and replay mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5830 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only
5831 the current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The
5832 @code{step} mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other
5833 threads from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so
5834 that the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly. Other
5835 threads never get a chance to run when you step, and they are
5836 completely free to run when you use commands like @samp{continue},
5837 @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another thread hits a
5838 breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change the
5839 current thread away from the thread that you are debugging. The
5840 @code{replay} mode behaves like @code{off} in record mode and like
5841 @code{on} in replay mode.
5842
5843 @item show scheduler-locking
5844 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5845 @end table
5846
5847 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5848 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5849 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5850 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5851 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5852 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5853 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5854 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5855 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5856 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5857 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5858 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5859 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5860 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5861
5862 @table @code
5863 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5864 @item set schedule-multiple
5865 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5866 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5867 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5868 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5869 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5870 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5871
5872 @item show schedule-multiple
5873 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5874 multiple processes.
5875 @end table
5876
5877 @node Non-Stop Mode
5878 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5879
5880 @cindex non-stop mode
5881
5882 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5883 @c with more details.
5884
5885 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5886 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5887 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5888 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5889 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5890 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5891
5892 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5893 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5894 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5895 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5896 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5897 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5898 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5899 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5900 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5901 independently and simultaneously.
5902
5903 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5904 or attach to your program:
5905
5906 @smallexample
5907 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5908 set pagination off
5909
5910 # Finally, turn it on!
5911 set non-stop on
5912 @end smallexample
5913
5914 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5915
5916 @table @code
5917 @kindex set non-stop
5918 @item set non-stop on
5919 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5920 @item set non-stop off
5921 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5922 @kindex show non-stop
5923 @item show non-stop
5924 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5925 @end table
5926
5927 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5928 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5929 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5930 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5931 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5932 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5933 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5934 default.
5935
5936 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5937 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5938 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5939
5940 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5941 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5942 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5943 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5944 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5945
5946 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5947 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5948 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5949 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5950 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5951
5952 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5953
5954 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5955 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5956 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5957 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5958 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5959 previously current thread.
5960
5961 @node Background Execution
5962 @subsection Background Execution
5963
5964 @cindex foreground execution
5965 @cindex background execution
5966 @cindex asynchronous execution
5967 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5968
5969 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5970 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5971 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5972 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5973 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5974 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5975
5976 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5977 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5978
5979 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5980 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5981 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5982 are:
5983
5984 @table @code
5985 @kindex run&
5986 @item run
5987 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5988
5989 @item attach
5990 @kindex attach&
5991 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5992
5993 @item step
5994 @kindex step&
5995 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5996
5997 @item stepi
5998 @kindex stepi&
5999 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
6000
6001 @item next
6002 @kindex next&
6003 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
6004
6005 @item nexti
6006 @kindex nexti&
6007 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
6008
6009 @item continue
6010 @kindex continue&
6011 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
6012
6013 @item finish
6014 @kindex finish&
6015 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
6016
6017 @item until
6018 @kindex until&
6019 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
6020
6021 @end table
6022
6023 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
6024 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
6025 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
6026 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
6027 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
6028 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
6029
6030 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
6031 using the @code{interrupt} command.
6032
6033 @table @code
6034 @kindex interrupt
6035 @item interrupt
6036 @itemx interrupt -a
6037
6038 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6039 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6040 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6041 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6042 @end table
6043
6044 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6045 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6046
6047 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6048 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6049 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6050
6051 @table @code
6052 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6053 @cindex thread breakpoints
6054 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
6055 @item break @var{location} thread @var{threadno}
6056 @itemx break @var{location} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
6057 @var{location} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6058 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6059 specify some source line.
6060
6061 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
6062 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6063 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{threadno} specifier
6064 is one of the numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6065 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6066
6067 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
6068 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6069 program.
6070
6071 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6072 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
6073 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6074
6075 @smallexample
6076 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6077 @end smallexample
6078
6079 @end table
6080
6081 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6082 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6083 thread list. For example:
6084
6085 @smallexample
6086 (@value{GDBP}) c
6087 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6088 @end smallexample
6089
6090 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6091 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6092 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6093 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6094 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6095 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6096 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6097 command.
6098
6099 @node Interrupted System Calls
6100 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6101
6102 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6103 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6104 @cindex premature return from system calls
6105 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6106 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6107 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6108 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6109 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6110 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6111 stop execution.
6112
6113 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6114 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6115 style anyways.
6116
6117 For example, do not write code like this:
6118
6119 @smallexample
6120 sleep (10);
6121 @end smallexample
6122
6123 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6124 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6125
6126 Instead, write this:
6127
6128 @smallexample
6129 int unslept = 10;
6130 while (unslept > 0)
6131 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6132 @end smallexample
6133
6134 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6135 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6136 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6137 @value{GDBN}.
6138
6139 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6140 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6141 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6142 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6143
6144 @node Observer Mode
6145 @subsection Observer Mode
6146
6147 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6148 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6149 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6150 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6151 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6152
6153 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6154 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6155 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6156 mode.
6157
6158 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6159 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6160 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6161 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6162 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6163
6164 @table @code
6165
6166 @kindex observer
6167 @item set observer on
6168 @itemx set observer off
6169 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6170 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6171 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6172 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6173
6174 @item show observer
6175 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6176
6177 @kindex may-write-registers
6178 @item set may-write-registers on
6179 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6180 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6181 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6182 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6183
6184 @item show may-write-registers
6185 Show the current permission to write registers.
6186
6187 @kindex may-write-memory
6188 @item set may-write-memory on
6189 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6190 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6191 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6192 defaults to @code{on}.
6193
6194 @item show may-write-memory
6195 Show the current permission to write memory.
6196
6197 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6198 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6199 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6200 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6201 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6202 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6203
6204 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6205 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6206
6207 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6208 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6209 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6210 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6211 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6212 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6213 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6214
6215 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6216 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6217
6218 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6219 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6220 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6221 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6222 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6223 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6224 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6225
6226 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6227 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6228
6229 @kindex may-interrupt
6230 @item set may-interrupt on
6231 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6232 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6233 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6234 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6235 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6236
6237 @item show may-interrupt
6238 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6239
6240 @end table
6241
6242 @node Reverse Execution
6243 @chapter Running programs backward
6244 @cindex reverse execution
6245 @cindex running programs backward
6246
6247 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6248 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6249 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6250 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6251
6252 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6253 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6254 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6255 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6256 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6257 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6258
6259 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6260 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6261 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6262 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6263 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6264 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6265 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6266 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6267 prior values@footnote{
6268 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6269 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6270 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6271
6272 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6273 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6274 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6275 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6276 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6277 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6278 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6279 }.
6280
6281 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6282 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6283
6284 @table @code
6285 @kindex reverse-continue
6286 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6287 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6288 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6289 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6290 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6291 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6292 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6293
6294 @kindex reverse-step
6295 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6296 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6297 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6298 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6299
6300 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6301 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6302 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6303 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6304 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6305 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6306
6307 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6308 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6309
6310 @kindex reverse-stepi
6311 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6312 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6313 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6314 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6315 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6316 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6317 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6318
6319 @kindex reverse-next
6320 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6321 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6322 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6323 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6324 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6325 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6326 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6327 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6328 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6329 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6330
6331 @kindex reverse-nexti
6332 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6333 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6334 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6335 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6336 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6337 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6338 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6339 frame) is reached.
6340
6341 @kindex reverse-finish
6342 @item reverse-finish
6343 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6344 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6345 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6346 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6347
6348 @kindex set exec-direction
6349 @item set exec-direction
6350 Set the direction of target execution.
6351 @item set exec-direction reverse
6352 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6353 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6354 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6355 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6356 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6357 @item set exec-direction forward
6358 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6359 This is the default.
6360 @end table
6361
6362
6363 @node Process Record and Replay
6364 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6365 @cindex process record and replay
6366 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6367
6368 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6369 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6370 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6371
6372 @cindex replay mode
6373 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6374 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6375 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6376 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6377 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6378 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6379 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6380 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6381 execution log.
6382
6383 @cindex record mode
6384 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6385 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6386 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6387 for future replay.
6388
6389 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6390 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6391 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6392 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6393 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6394 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6395
6396 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6397 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6398 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6399 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6400
6401 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6402 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6403
6404 @table @code
6405 @kindex target record
6406 @kindex target record-full
6407 @kindex target record-btrace
6408 @kindex record
6409 @kindex record full
6410 @kindex record btrace
6411 @kindex record btrace bts
6412 @kindex record btrace pt
6413 @kindex record bts
6414 @kindex record pt
6415 @kindex rec
6416 @kindex rec full
6417 @kindex rec btrace
6418 @kindex rec btrace bts
6419 @kindex rec btrace pt
6420 @kindex rec bts
6421 @kindex rec pt
6422 @item record @var{method}
6423 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6424 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6425 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6426 recording methods are available:
6427
6428 @table @code
6429 @item full
6430 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6431 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6432 execution.
6433
6434 @item btrace @var{format}
6435 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not record
6436 data. Further, the data is collected in a ring buffer so old data will
6437 be overwritten when the buffer is full. It allows limited reverse
6438 execution. Variables and registers are not available during reverse
6439 execution.
6440
6441 The recording format can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6442 the command chooses the recording format. The following recording
6443 formats are available:
6444
6445 @table @code
6446 @item bts
6447 @cindex branch trace store
6448 Use the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) recording format. In
6449 this format, the processor stores a from/to record for each executed
6450 branch in the btrace ring buffer.
6451
6452 @item pt
6453 @cindex Intel Processor Trace
6454 Use the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} recording format. In this
6455 format, the processor stores the execution trace in a compressed form
6456 that is afterwards decoded by @value{GDBN}.
6457
6458 The trace can be recorded with very low overhead. The compressed
6459 trace format also allows small trace buffers to already contain a big
6460 number of instructions compared to @acronym{BTS}.
6461
6462 Decoding the recorded execution trace, on the other hand, is more
6463 expensive than decoding @acronym{BTS} trace. This is mostly due to the
6464 increased number of instructions to process. You should increase the
6465 buffer-size with care.
6466 @end table
6467
6468 Not all recording formats may be available on all processors.
6469 @end table
6470
6471 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6472 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6473 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6474 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6475
6476 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6477 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6478 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6479 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6480 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6481
6482 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6483 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6484 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6485 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6486 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6487 does not support these two modes.
6488
6489 @kindex record stop
6490 @kindex rec s
6491 @item record stop
6492 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6493 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6494 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6495
6496 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6497 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6498 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6499 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6500 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6501
6502 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6503 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6504 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6505 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6506 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6507
6508 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6509 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6510
6511 @kindex record goto
6512 @item record goto
6513 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6514 ways to specify the location to go to:
6515
6516 @table @code
6517 @item record goto begin
6518 @itemx record goto start
6519 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6520
6521 @item record goto end
6522 Go to the end of the execution log.
6523
6524 @item record goto @var{n}
6525 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6526 @end table
6527
6528 @kindex record save
6529 @item record save @var{filename}
6530 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6531 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6532 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6533
6534 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6535
6536 @kindex record restore
6537 @item record restore @var{filename}
6538 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6539 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6540
6541 @kindex set record full
6542 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6543 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6544 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6545 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6546
6547 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6548 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6549 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6550 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6551 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6552 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6553 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6554 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6555
6556 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6557 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6558 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6559
6560 @kindex show record full
6561 @item show record full insn-number-max
6562 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6563 recording method.
6564
6565 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6566 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6567 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6568 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6569 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6570 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6571 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6572 oldest one to be deleted.
6573
6574 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6575 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6576
6577 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6578 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6579
6580 @item set record full memory-query
6581 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6582 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6583 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6584 case.
6585
6586 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6587 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6588 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6589 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6590 results.
6591
6592 @item show record full memory-query
6593 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6594
6595 @kindex set record btrace
6596 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
6597 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
6598 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
6599 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
6600 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
6601 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
6602 You can use the following command for that:
6603
6604 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
6605 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
6606 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
6607 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
6608 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
6609 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
6610 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
6611 position.
6612
6613 @kindex show record btrace
6614 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
6615 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
6616
6617 @kindex set record btrace bts
6618 @item set record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
6619 @itemx set record btrace bts buffer-size unlimited
6620 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in @acronym{BTS}
6621 format. Default is 64KB.
6622
6623 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
6624 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
6625 that uses the btrace recording method and the @acronym{BTS} format.
6626 The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the requested
6627 @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the actual
6628 buffer size for each thread that uses the btrace recording method and
6629 the @acronym{BTS} format.
6630
6631 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
6632 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
6633
6634 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
6635 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
6636
6637 @item show record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
6638 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
6639 tracing in @acronym{BTS} format.
6640
6641 @kindex set record btrace pt
6642 @item set record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
6643 @itemx set record btrace pt buffer-size unlimited
6644 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in Intel
6645 Processor Trace format. Default is 16KB.
6646
6647 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
6648 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
6649 that uses the btrace recording method and the Intel Processor Trace
6650 format. The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the
6651 requested @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the
6652 actual buffer size for each thread.
6653
6654 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
6655 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
6656
6657 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
6658 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
6659
6660 @item show record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
6661 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
6662 tracing in Intel Processor Trace format.
6663
6664 @kindex info record
6665 @item info record
6666 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6667 method:
6668
6669 @table @code
6670 @item full
6671 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6672 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6673
6674 @itemize @bullet
6675 @item
6676 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6677 @item
6678 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6679 @item
6680 Highest recorded instruction number.
6681 @item
6682 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6683 @item
6684 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6685 @item
6686 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6687 @end itemize
6688
6689 @item btrace
6690 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows:
6691
6692 @itemize @bullet
6693 @item
6694 Recording format.
6695 @item
6696 Number of instructions that have been recorded.
6697 @item
6698 Number of blocks of sequential control-flow formed by the recorded
6699 instructions.
6700 @item
6701 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6702 @end itemize
6703
6704 For the @code{bts} recording format, it also shows:
6705 @itemize @bullet
6706 @item
6707 Size of the perf ring buffer.
6708 @end itemize
6709
6710 For the @code{pt} recording format, it also shows:
6711 @itemize @bullet
6712 @item
6713 Size of the perf ring buffer.
6714 @end itemize
6715 @end table
6716
6717 @kindex record delete
6718 @kindex rec del
6719 @item record delete
6720 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6721 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6722 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6723 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6724
6725 @kindex record instruction-history
6726 @kindex rec instruction-history
6727 @item record instruction-history
6728 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6729 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6730 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6731 are printed in execution order.
6732
6733 It can also print mixed source+disassembly if you specify the the
6734 @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier, and print the raw instructions in hex
6735 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
6736
6737 The current position marker is printed for the instruction at the
6738 current program counter value. This instruction can appear multiple
6739 times in the trace and the current position marker will be printed
6740 every time. To omit the current position marker, specify the
6741 @code{/p} modifier.
6742
6743 To better align the printed instructions when the trace contains
6744 instructions from more than one function, the function name may be
6745 omitted by specifying the @code{/f} modifier.
6746
6747 Speculatively executed instructions are prefixed with @samp{?}. This
6748 feature is not available for all recording formats.
6749
6750 There are several ways to specify what part of the execution log to
6751 disassemble:
6752
6753 @table @code
6754 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6755 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6756 @var{insn}.
6757
6758 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6759 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6760 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6761 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6762 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6763 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6764
6765 @item record instruction-history
6766 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6767
6768 @item record instruction-history -
6769 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6770
6771 @item record instruction-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
6772 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6773 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6774 number @var{end} is included.
6775 @end table
6776
6777 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6778
6779 @kindex set record
6780 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6781 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6782 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6783 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6784 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6785
6786 @kindex show record
6787 @item show record instruction-history-size
6788 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6789 instruction-history} command.
6790
6791 @kindex record function-call-history
6792 @kindex rec function-call-history
6793 @item record function-call-history
6794 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6795 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6796 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6797 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6798 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6799 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
6800 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
6801 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
6802 given together.
6803
6804 @smallexample
6805 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6806 1 void foo (void)
6807 2 @{
6808 3 @}
6809 4
6810 5 void bar (void)
6811 6 @{
6812 7 ...
6813 8 foo ();
6814 9 ...
6815 10 @}
6816 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
6817 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
6818 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
6819 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
6820 @end smallexample
6821
6822 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6823 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6824 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6825 to print:
6826
6827 @table @code
6828 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6829 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6830
6831 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6832 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6833 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6834 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6835 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6836
6837 @item record function-call-history
6838 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6839
6840 @item record function-call-history -
6841 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6842
6843 @item record function-call-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
6844 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6845 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
6846 @end table
6847
6848 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6849
6850 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6851 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6852 Define how many lines to print in the
6853 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6854 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6855
6856 @item show record function-call-history-size
6857 Show how many lines to print in the
6858 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6859 @end table
6860
6861
6862 @node Stack
6863 @chapter Examining the Stack
6864
6865 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6866 stopped and how it got there.
6867
6868 @cindex call stack
6869 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6870 is generated.
6871 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6872 the arguments of the call,
6873 and the local variables of the function being called.
6874 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6875 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6876 stack}.
6877
6878 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6879 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6880
6881 @cindex selected frame
6882 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6883 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6884 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6885 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6886 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6887 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6888
6889 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6890 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6891 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6892
6893 @menu
6894 * Frames:: Stack frames
6895 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6896 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6897 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6898 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6899
6900 @end menu
6901
6902 @node Frames
6903 @section Stack Frames
6904
6905 @cindex frame, definition
6906 @cindex stack frame
6907 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6908 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6909 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6910 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6911 which the function is executing.
6912
6913 @cindex initial frame
6914 @cindex outermost frame
6915 @cindex innermost frame
6916 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6917 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6918 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6919 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6920 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6921 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6922 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6923 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6924
6925 @cindex frame pointer
6926 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6927 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6928 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6929 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6930 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6931 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6932
6933 @cindex frame number
6934 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6935 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6936 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6937 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6938 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6939
6940 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6941 @c underflow problems.
6942 @cindex frameless execution
6943 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6944 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6945 @smallexample
6946 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6947 @end smallexample
6948 generates functions without a frame.)
6949 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6950 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6951 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6952 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6953 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6954 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6955 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6956
6957 @node Backtrace
6958 @section Backtraces
6959
6960 @cindex traceback
6961 @cindex call stack traces
6962 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6963 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6964 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6965 stack.
6966
6967 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6968 @table @code
6969 @kindex backtrace
6970 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6971 @item backtrace
6972 @itemx bt
6973 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6974 frames in the stack.
6975
6976 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6977 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6978
6979 @item backtrace @var{n}
6980 @itemx bt @var{n}
6981 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6982
6983 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6984 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6985 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6986
6987 @item backtrace full
6988 @itemx bt full
6989 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6990 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6991 Print the values of the local variables also. As described above,
6992 @var{n} specifies the number of frames to print.
6993
6994 @item backtrace no-filters
6995 @itemx bt no-filters
6996 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6997 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6998 @itemx bt no-filters full
6999 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
7000 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
7001 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
7002 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
7003 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
7004 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
7005 support.
7006 @end table
7007
7008 @kindex where
7009 @kindex info stack
7010 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
7011 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
7012
7013 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
7014 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
7015 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
7016 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
7017 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
7018 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
7019 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
7020 multi-threaded program.
7021
7022 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
7023 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
7024 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
7025 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
7026 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
7027 line number.
7028
7029 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
7030 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
7031
7032 @smallexample
7033 @group
7034 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7035 at builtin.c:993
7036 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
7037 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
7038 at macro.c:71
7039 (More stack frames follow...)
7040 @end group
7041 @end smallexample
7042
7043 @noindent
7044 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
7045 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
7046 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
7047
7048 @noindent
7049 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
7050 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
7051 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
7052 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
7053 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
7054
7055 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
7056 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
7057 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
7058 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
7059 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
7060 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
7061 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
7062 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
7063 such a backtrace might look like:
7064
7065 @smallexample
7066 @group
7067 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7068 at builtin.c:993
7069 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
7070 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
7071 at macro.c:71
7072 (More stack frames follow...)
7073 @end group
7074 @end smallexample
7075
7076 @noindent
7077 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
7078 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
7079
7080 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
7081 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
7082 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
7083
7084 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
7085 @cindex program entry point
7086 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
7087 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
7088 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
7089 @code{main}@footnote{
7090 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
7091 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
7092 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
7093 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
7094 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
7095 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
7096
7097 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
7098 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
7099
7100 @table @code
7101 @item set backtrace past-main
7102 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
7103 @kindex set backtrace
7104 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
7105
7106 @item set backtrace past-main off
7107 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
7108 default.
7109
7110 @item show backtrace past-main
7111 @kindex show backtrace
7112 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
7113
7114 @item set backtrace past-entry
7115 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
7116 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
7117 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
7118 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
7119
7120 @item set backtrace past-entry off
7121 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
7122 application. This is the default.
7123
7124 @item show backtrace past-entry
7125 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
7126
7127 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
7128 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
7129 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
7130 @cindex backtrace limit
7131 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
7132 or zero means unlimited levels.
7133
7134 @item show backtrace limit
7135 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
7136 @end table
7137
7138 You can control how file names are displayed.
7139
7140 @table @code
7141 @item set filename-display
7142 @itemx set filename-display relative
7143 @cindex filename-display
7144 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7145
7146 @item set filename-display basename
7147 Display only basename of a filename.
7148
7149 @item set filename-display absolute
7150 Display an absolute filename.
7151
7152 @item show filename-display
7153 Show the current way to display filenames.
7154 @end table
7155
7156 @node Selection
7157 @section Selecting a Frame
7158
7159 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7160 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7161 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7162 of the stack frame just selected.
7163
7164 @table @code
7165 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7166 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7167 @item frame @var{n}
7168 @itemx f @var{n}
7169 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7170 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7171 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
7172 @code{main}.
7173
7174 @item frame @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7175 @itemx f @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7176 Select the frame at address @var{stack-addr}. This is useful mainly if the
7177 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
7178 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
7179 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
7180 switches between them. The optional @var{pc-addr} can also be given to
7181 specify the value of PC for the stack frame.
7182
7183 @kindex up
7184 @item up @var{n}
7185 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7186 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7187 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7188
7189 @kindex down
7190 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7191 @item down @var{n}
7192 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7193 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7194 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7195 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7196 @end table
7197
7198 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7199 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7200 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7201 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7202
7203 @need 1000
7204 For example:
7205
7206 @smallexample
7207 @group
7208 (@value{GDBP}) up
7209 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7210 at env.c:10
7211 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7212 @end group
7213 @end smallexample
7214
7215 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7216 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7217 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7218 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7219 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7220 for details.
7221
7222 @table @code
7223 @kindex select-frame
7224 @item select-frame
7225 The @code{select-frame} command is a variant of @code{frame} that does
7226 not display the new frame after selecting it. This command is
7227 intended primarily for use in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the
7228 output might be unnecessary and distracting.
7229
7230 @kindex down-silently
7231 @kindex up-silently
7232 @item up-silently @var{n}
7233 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7234 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7235 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7236 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7237 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7238 distracting.
7239 @end table
7240
7241 @node Frame Info
7242 @section Information About a Frame
7243
7244 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7245 stack frame.
7246
7247 @table @code
7248 @item frame
7249 @itemx f
7250 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7251 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7252 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7253 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7254 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7255
7256 @kindex info frame
7257 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7258 @item info frame
7259 @itemx info f
7260 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7261 including:
7262
7263 @itemize @bullet
7264 @item
7265 the address of the frame
7266 @item
7267 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7268 @item
7269 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7270 @item
7271 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7272 @item
7273 the address of the frame's arguments
7274 @item
7275 the address of the frame's local variables
7276 @item
7277 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7278 @item
7279 which registers were saved in the frame
7280 @end itemize
7281
7282 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7283 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7284 the usual conventions.
7285
7286 @item info frame @var{addr}
7287 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7288 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7289 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7290 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7291 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7292 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7293
7294 @kindex info args
7295 @item info args
7296 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7297
7298 @item info locals
7299 @kindex info locals
7300 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7301 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7302 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7303
7304 @end table
7305
7306 @node Frame Filter Management
7307 @section Management of Frame Filters.
7308 @cindex managing frame filters
7309
7310 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
7311 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
7312
7313 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
7314 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
7315
7316 @table @code
7317 @kindex info frame-filter
7318 @item info frame-filter
7319 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
7320 their name, priority and enabled status.
7321
7322 @kindex disable frame-filter
7323 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
7324 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7325 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7326 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7327 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7328 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7329 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
7330 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
7331 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7332 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
7333 may be enabled again later.
7334
7335 @kindex enable frame-filter
7336 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7337 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7338 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7339 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7340 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7341 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
7342 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
7343 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7344 @var{filter-dictionary}.
7345
7346 Example:
7347
7348 @smallexample
7349 (gdb) info frame-filter
7350
7351 global frame-filters:
7352 Priority Enabled Name
7353 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7354 100 Yes Reverse
7355
7356 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7357 Priority Enabled Name
7358 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7359
7360 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7361 Priority Enabled Name
7362 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
7363
7364 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
7365 (gdb) info frame-filter
7366
7367 global frame-filters:
7368 Priority Enabled Name
7369 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7370 100 Yes Reverse
7371
7372 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7373 Priority Enabled Name
7374 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7375
7376 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7377 Priority Enabled Name
7378 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7379
7380 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
7381 (gdb) info frame-filter
7382
7383 global frame-filters:
7384 Priority Enabled Name
7385 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7386 100 Yes Reverse
7387
7388 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7389 Priority Enabled Name
7390 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7391
7392 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7393 Priority Enabled Name
7394 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7395 @end smallexample
7396
7397 @kindex set frame-filter priority
7398 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
7399 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7400 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7401 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7402 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7403 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
7404
7405 @kindex show frame-filter priority
7406 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7407 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7408 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7409 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7410 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7411 dictionary resides.
7412
7413 Example:
7414
7415 @smallexample
7416 (gdb) info frame-filter
7417
7418 global frame-filters:
7419 Priority Enabled Name
7420 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7421 100 Yes Reverse
7422
7423 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7424 Priority Enabled Name
7425 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7426
7427 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7428 Priority Enabled Name
7429 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7430
7431 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
7432 (gdb) info frame-filter
7433
7434 global frame-filters:
7435 Priority Enabled Name
7436 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7437 50 Yes Reverse
7438
7439 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7440 Priority Enabled Name
7441 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7442
7443 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7444 Priority Enabled Name
7445 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7446 @end smallexample
7447 @end table
7448
7449 @node Source
7450 @chapter Examining Source Files
7451
7452 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7453 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7454 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7455 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7456 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7457 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7458 source files by explicit command.
7459
7460 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7461 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7462 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7463
7464 @menu
7465 * List:: Printing source lines
7466 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7467 * Edit:: Editing source files
7468 * Search:: Searching source files
7469 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7470 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7471 @end menu
7472
7473 @node List
7474 @section Printing Source Lines
7475
7476 @kindex list
7477 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7478 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7479 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7480 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7481 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7482
7483 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7484
7485 @table @code
7486 @item list @var{linenum}
7487 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7488 current source file.
7489
7490 @item list @var{function}
7491 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7492 @var{function}.
7493
7494 @item list
7495 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7496 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7497 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7498 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7499 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7500
7501 @item list -
7502 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7503 @end table
7504
7505 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7506 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7507 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7508
7509 @table @code
7510 @kindex set listsize
7511 @item set listsize @var{count}
7512 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7513 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7514 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7515 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7516
7517 @kindex show listsize
7518 @item show listsize
7519 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7520 @end table
7521
7522 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7523 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7524 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7525 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7526 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7527
7528 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7529 @dfn{locations}. Locations specify source lines; there are several ways
7530 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7531 to specify some source line.
7532
7533 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7534
7535 @table @code
7536 @item list @var{location}
7537 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{location}.
7538
7539 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7540 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7541 locations. When a @code{list} command has two locations, and the
7542 source file of the second location is omitted, this refers to
7543 the same source file as the first location.
7544
7545 @item list ,@var{last}
7546 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7547
7548 @item list @var{first},
7549 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7550
7551 @item list +
7552 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7553
7554 @item list -
7555 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7556
7557 @item list
7558 As described in the preceding table.
7559 @end table
7560
7561 @node Specify Location
7562 @section Specifying a Location
7563 @cindex specifying location
7564 @cindex location
7565 @cindex source location
7566
7567 @menu
7568 * Linespec Locations:: Linespec locations
7569 * Explicit Locations:: Explicit locations
7570 * Address Locations:: Address locations
7571 @end menu
7572
7573 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7574 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7575 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code.
7576 Locations may be specified using three different formats:
7577 linespec locations, explicit locations, or address locations.
7578
7579 @node Linespec Locations
7580 @subsection Linespec Locations
7581 @cindex linespec locations
7582
7583 A @dfn{linespec} is a colon-separated list of source location parameters such
7584 as file name, function name, etc. Here are all the different ways of
7585 specifying a linespec:
7586
7587 @table @code
7588 @item @var{linenum}
7589 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7590
7591 @item -@var{offset}
7592 @itemx +@var{offset}
7593 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7594 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7595 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7596 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7597 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7598 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7599 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7600 linespec.
7601
7602 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7603 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7604 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7605 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7606 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7607 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7608 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7609
7610 @item @var{function}
7611 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7612 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7613
7614 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7615 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7616
7617 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7618 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7619 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7620 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7621 functions in different source files.
7622
7623 @item @var{label}
7624 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears
7625 in the function corresponding to the currently selected stack frame.
7626 If there is no current selected stack frame (for instance, if the inferior
7627 is not running), then @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7628
7629 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7630 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7631 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7632 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7633 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7634 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7635
7636 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7637 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7638 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7639 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7640 each one of those probes.
7641 @end table
7642
7643 @node Explicit Locations
7644 @subsection Explicit Locations
7645 @cindex explicit locations
7646
7647 @dfn{Explicit locations} allow the user to directly specify the source
7648 location's parameters using option-value pairs.
7649
7650 Explicit locations are useful when several functions, labels, or
7651 file names have the same name (base name for files) in the program's
7652 sources. In these cases, explicit locations point to the source
7653 line you meant more accurately and unambiguously. Also, using
7654 explicit locations might be faster in large programs.
7655
7656 For example, the linespec @samp{foo:bar} may refer to a function @code{bar}
7657 defined in the file named @file{foo} or the label @code{bar} in a function
7658 named @code{foo}. @value{GDBN} must search either the file system or
7659 the symbol table to know.
7660
7661 The list of valid explicit location options is summarized in the
7662 following table:
7663
7664 @table @code
7665 @item -source @var{filename}
7666 The value specifies the source file name. To differentiate between
7667 files with the same base name, prepend as many directories as is necessary
7668 to uniquely identify the desired file, e.g., @file{foo/bar/baz.c}. Otherwise
7669 @value{GDBN} will use the first file it finds with the given base
7670 name. This option requires the use of either @code{-function} or @code{-line}.
7671
7672 @item -function @var{function}
7673 The value specifies the name of a function. Operations
7674 on function locations unmodified by other options (such as @code{-label}
7675 or @code{-line}) refer to the line that begins the body of the function.
7676 In C, for example, this is the line with the open brace.
7677
7678 @item -label @var{label}
7679 The value specifies the name of a label. When the function
7680 name is not specified, the label is searched in the function of the currently
7681 selected stack frame.
7682
7683 @item -line @var{number}
7684 The value specifies a line offset for the location. The offset may either
7685 be absolute (@code{-line 3}) or relative (@code{-line +3}), depending on
7686 the command. When specified without any other options, the line offset is
7687 relative to the current line.
7688 @end table
7689
7690 Explicit location options may be abbreviated by omitting any non-unique
7691 trailing characters from the option name, e.g., @code{break -s main.c -li 3}.
7692
7693 @node Address Locations
7694 @subsection Address Locations
7695 @cindex address locations
7696
7697 @dfn{Address locations} indicate a specific program address. They have
7698 the generalized form *@var{address}.
7699
7700 For line-oriented commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this
7701 specifies a source line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and
7702 other breakpoint-oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7703 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7704 source files.
7705
7706 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7707 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7708 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7709 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover several situations
7710 that frequently occur during debugging. Here are the various forms
7711 of @var{address}:
7712
7713 @table @code
7714 @item @var{expression}
7715 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7716
7717 @item @var{funcaddr}
7718 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7719 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7720 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7721 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7722 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7723 (although the Pascal form also works).
7724
7725 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7726 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7727
7728 @item '@var{filename}':@var{funcaddr}
7729 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7730 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7731 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7732 functions with identical names in different source files.
7733 @end table
7734
7735 @node Edit
7736 @section Editing Source Files
7737 @cindex editing source files
7738
7739 @kindex edit
7740 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7741 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7742 The editing program of your choice
7743 is invoked with the current line set to
7744 the active line in the program.
7745 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7746 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7747
7748 @table @code
7749 @item edit @var{location}
7750 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7751 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7752 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7753 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7754 command most commonly used:
7755
7756 @table @code
7757 @item edit @var{number}
7758 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7759
7760 @item edit @var{function}
7761 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7762 @end table
7763
7764 @end table
7765
7766 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7767 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7768 @footnote{
7769 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7770 following command-line syntax:
7771 @smallexample
7772 ex +@var{number} file
7773 @end smallexample
7774 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7775 the file where to start editing.}.
7776 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7777 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7778 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7779 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7780 @smallexample
7781 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7782 export EDITOR
7783 gdb @dots{}
7784 @end smallexample
7785 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7786 @smallexample
7787 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7788 gdb @dots{}
7789 @end smallexample
7790
7791 @node Search
7792 @section Searching Source Files
7793 @cindex searching source files
7794
7795 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7796 regular expression.
7797
7798 @table @code
7799 @kindex search
7800 @kindex forward-search
7801 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7802 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7803 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7804 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7805 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7806 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7807 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7808 @code{fo}.
7809
7810 @kindex reverse-search
7811 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7812 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7813 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7814 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7815 this command as @code{rev}.
7816 @end table
7817
7818 @node Source Path
7819 @section Specifying Source Directories
7820
7821 @cindex source path
7822 @cindex directories for source files
7823 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7824 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7825 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7826 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7827 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7828 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7829 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7830
7831 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7832 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7833 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7834 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7835 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7836 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7837 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7838 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7839 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7840 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7841 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7842
7843 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7844 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7845 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7846 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7847 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7848 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7849
7850 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7851 source files.
7852
7853 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7854 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7855 each line is in the file.
7856
7857 @kindex directory
7858 @kindex dir
7859 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7860 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7861 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7862
7863 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7864 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7865
7866 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7867 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7868 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7869 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7870 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7871 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7872 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7873 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7874 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7875 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7876 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7877 name to look up the sources.
7878
7879 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7880 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7881 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7882 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7883 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7884 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7885 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7886 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7887
7888 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7889 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7890 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7891 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7892 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7893 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7894 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7895
7896 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7897 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7898 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7899 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7900 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7901 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7902 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7903 command.
7904
7905 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7906 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7907 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7908 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7909 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7910 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7911 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7912
7913 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7914 @cindex default source path substitution
7915 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7916 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7917 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7918 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7919 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7920 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7921 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7922 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7923 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7924 together.
7925
7926 @table @code
7927 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7928 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7929 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7930 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7931 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7932 part of absolute file names) or
7933 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7934 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7935
7936 @kindex cdir
7937 @kindex cwd
7938 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7939 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7940 @cindex compilation directory
7941 @cindex current directory
7942 @cindex working directory
7943 @cindex directory, current
7944 @cindex directory, compilation
7945 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7946 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7947 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7948 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7949 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7950 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7951
7952 @item directory
7953 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7954
7955 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7956 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7957
7958 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7959 @kindex set directories
7960 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7961 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7962
7963 @item show directories
7964 @kindex show directories
7965 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7966
7967 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7968 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7969 @kindex set substitute-path
7970 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7971 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7972 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7973
7974 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7975 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7976
7977 @smallexample
7978 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /foo/bar /mnt/cross
7979 @end smallexample
7980
7981 @noindent
7982 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/foo/bar} with
7983 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7984 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7985
7986 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7987 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7988 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7989 the substitution.
7990
7991 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7992
7993 @smallexample
7994 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7995 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7996 @end smallexample
7997
7998 @noindent
7999 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
8000 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
8001 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
8002 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
8003
8004
8005 @item unset substitute-path [path]
8006 @kindex unset substitute-path
8007 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
8008 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
8009 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
8010
8011 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
8012
8013 @item show substitute-path [path]
8014 @kindex show substitute-path
8015 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
8016 which would rewrite that path, if any.
8017
8018 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
8019 rules.
8020
8021 @end table
8022
8023 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
8024 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
8025 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
8026
8027 @enumerate
8028 @item
8029 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
8030
8031 @item
8032 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
8033 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
8034 directories in one command.
8035 @end enumerate
8036
8037 @node Machine Code
8038 @section Source and Machine Code
8039 @cindex source line and its code address
8040
8041 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
8042 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
8043 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
8044 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
8045 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
8046 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
8047 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
8048 well as hex.
8049
8050 @table @code
8051 @kindex info line
8052 @item info line @var{location}
8053 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
8054 source line @var{location}. You can specify source lines in any of
8055 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
8056 @end table
8057
8058 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
8059 the object code for the first line of function
8060 @code{m4_changequote}:
8061
8062 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
8063 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
8064 @smallexample
8065 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
8066 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
8067 @end smallexample
8068
8069 @noindent
8070 @cindex code address and its source line
8071 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
8072 @var{location}) what source line covers a particular address:
8073 @smallexample
8074 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
8075 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
8076 @end smallexample
8077
8078 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
8079 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
8080 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
8081 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
8082 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
8083 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
8084 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
8085 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8086 Variables}).
8087
8088 @table @code
8089 @kindex disassemble
8090 @cindex assembly instructions
8091 @cindex instructions, assembly
8092 @cindex machine instructions
8093 @cindex listing machine instructions
8094 @item disassemble
8095 @itemx disassemble /m
8096 @itemx disassemble /s
8097 @itemx disassemble /r
8098 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
8099 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
8100 the @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex
8101 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
8102 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
8103 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
8104 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
8105 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
8106 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
8107 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
8108
8109 @table @code
8110 @item @var{start},@var{end}
8111 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
8112 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
8113 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
8114 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
8115 @end table
8116
8117 @noindent
8118 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
8119 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
8120
8121 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
8122 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
8123
8124 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
8125 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
8126 @end table
8127
8128 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
8129 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
8130
8131 @smallexample
8132 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
8133 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
8134 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
8135 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
8136 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8137 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
8138 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
8139 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
8140 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
8141 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8142 End of assembler dump.
8143 @end smallexample
8144
8145 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86
8146 with @code{/m} or @code{/s}, when the program is stopped just after
8147 function prologue in a non-optimized function with no inline code.
8148
8149 @smallexample
8150 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8151 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8152 5 @{
8153 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
8154 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
8155 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
8156 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
8157 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
8158
8159 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
8160 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
8161 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
8162
8163 7 return 0;
8164 8 @}
8165 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
8166 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
8167 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
8168
8169 End of assembler dump.
8170 @end smallexample
8171
8172 The @code{/m} option is deprecated as its output is not useful when
8173 there is either inlined code or re-ordered code.
8174 The @code{/s} option is the preferred choice.
8175 Here is an example for AMD x86-64 showing the difference between
8176 @code{/m} output and @code{/s} output.
8177 This example has one inline function defined in a header file,
8178 and the code is compiled with @samp{-O2} optimization.
8179 Note how the @code{/m} output is missing the disassembly of
8180 several instructions that are present in the @code{/s} output.
8181
8182 @file{foo.h}:
8183
8184 @smallexample
8185 int
8186 foo (int a)
8187 @{
8188 if (a < 0)
8189 return a * 2;
8190 if (a == 0)
8191 return 1;
8192 return a + 10;
8193 @}
8194 @end smallexample
8195
8196 @file{foo.c}:
8197
8198 @smallexample
8199 #include "foo.h"
8200 volatile int x, y;
8201 int
8202 main ()
8203 @{
8204 x = foo (y);
8205 return 0;
8206 @}
8207 @end smallexample
8208
8209 @smallexample
8210 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8211 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8212 5 @{
8213
8214 6 x = foo (y);
8215 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8216 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8217
8218 7 return 0;
8219 8 @}
8220 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8221 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8222 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8223 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8224
8225 End of assembler dump.
8226 (@value{GDBP}) disas /s main
8227 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8228 foo.c:
8229 5 @{
8230 6 x = foo (y);
8231 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8232
8233 foo.h:
8234 4 if (a < 0)
8235 0x0000000000400406 <+6>: test %eax,%eax
8236 0x0000000000400408 <+8>: js 0x400420 <main+32>
8237
8238 6 if (a == 0)
8239 7 return 1;
8240 8 return a + 10;
8241 0x000000000040040a <+10>: lea 0xa(%rax),%edx
8242 0x000000000040040d <+13>: test %eax,%eax
8243 0x000000000040040f <+15>: mov $0x1,%eax
8244 0x0000000000400414 <+20>: cmovne %edx,%eax
8245
8246 foo.c:
8247 6 x = foo (y);
8248 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8249
8250 7 return 0;
8251 8 @}
8252 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8253 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8254
8255 foo.h:
8256 5 return a * 2;
8257 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8258 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8259 End of assembler dump.
8260 @end smallexample
8261
8262 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
8263
8264 @smallexample
8265 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
8266 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
8267 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
8268 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
8269 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
8270 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
8271 End of assembler dump.
8272 @end smallexample
8273
8274 Addresses cannot be specified as a location (@pxref{Specify Location}).
8275 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
8276 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
8277 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
8278
8279 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
8280 mnemonics or other syntax.
8281
8282 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
8283 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
8284 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
8285 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
8286 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
8287
8288 @table @code
8289 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
8290 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
8291 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
8292 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
8293 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
8294 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
8295
8296 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
8297 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
8298 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
8299 assemblers for x86-based targets.
8300
8301 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
8302 @item show disassembly-flavor
8303 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
8304 @end table
8305
8306 @table @code
8307 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
8308 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
8309 @item set disassemble-next-line
8310 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
8311 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
8312 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
8313 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
8314 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
8315 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
8316 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
8317 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
8318 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
8319 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
8320 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
8321 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
8322 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
8323 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
8324 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
8325 instruction.
8326 @end table
8327
8328
8329 @node Data
8330 @chapter Examining Data
8331
8332 @cindex printing data
8333 @cindex examining data
8334 @kindex print
8335 @kindex inspect
8336 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
8337 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
8338 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
8339 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
8340 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
8341 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
8342
8343 @table @code
8344 @item print @var{expr}
8345 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
8346 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
8347 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
8348 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
8349 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
8350 Formats}.
8351
8352 @item print
8353 @itemx print /@var{f}
8354 @cindex reprint the last value
8355 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
8356 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
8357 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
8358 @end table
8359
8360 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
8361 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
8362 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8363
8364 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
8365 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
8366 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
8367 Table}.
8368
8369 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
8370 @kindex explore
8371 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
8372 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
8373 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
8374 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
8375 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
8376 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
8377 embedded in the higher level data types.
8378
8379 @table @code
8380 @item explore @var{arg}
8381 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
8382 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
8383 @end table
8384
8385 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
8386 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
8387 C program as
8388
8389 @smallexample
8390 struct SimpleStruct
8391 @{
8392 int i;
8393 double d;
8394 @};
8395
8396 struct ComplexStruct
8397 @{
8398 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
8399 int arr[10];
8400 @};
8401 @end smallexample
8402
8403 @noindent
8404 followed by variable declarations as
8405
8406 @smallexample
8407 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
8408 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
8409 @end smallexample
8410
8411 @noindent
8412 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
8413 @code{explore} command as follows.
8414
8415 @smallexample
8416 (gdb) explore cs
8417 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
8418 the following fields:
8419
8420 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
8421 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
8422
8423 Enter the field number of choice:
8424 @end smallexample
8425
8426 @noindent
8427 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
8428 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
8429 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
8430 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
8431 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
8432 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
8433 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
8434 field will be explored as if it were an array.
8435
8436 @smallexample
8437 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
8438 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
8439 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
8440 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
8441
8442 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
8443 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
8444
8445 Press enter to return to parent value:
8446 @end smallexample
8447
8448 @noindent
8449 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
8450 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
8451 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
8452 to explore.
8453
8454 @smallexample
8455 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
8456 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
8457
8458 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
8459
8460 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
8461
8462 Press enter to return to parent value:
8463 @end smallexample
8464
8465 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
8466 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
8467 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
8468 level data structure).
8469
8470 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
8471 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
8472 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
8473 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
8474 same example as above, your can explore the type
8475 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
8476 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
8477
8478 @smallexample
8479 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
8480 @end smallexample
8481
8482 @noindent
8483 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
8484 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
8485 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
8486 example.
8487
8488 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
8489 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
8490 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
8491 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
8492 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
8493
8494 @table @code
8495 @item explore value @var{expr}
8496 @cindex explore value
8497 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
8498 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
8499 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
8500 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
8501 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
8502
8503 @item explore type @var{arg}
8504 @cindex explore type
8505 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
8506 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
8507 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
8508 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
8509 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
8510 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
8511 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
8512 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
8513 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
8514 @end table
8515
8516 @menu
8517 * Expressions:: Expressions
8518 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
8519 * Variables:: Program variables
8520 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
8521 * Output Formats:: Output formats
8522 * Memory:: Examining memory
8523 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
8524 * Print Settings:: Print settings
8525 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
8526 * Value History:: Value history
8527 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
8528 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
8529 * Registers:: Registers
8530 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
8531 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
8532 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
8533 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
8534 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
8535 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
8536 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
8537 character set than GDB does
8538 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
8539 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
8540 @end menu
8541
8542 @node Expressions
8543 @section Expressions
8544
8545 @cindex expressions
8546 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
8547 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
8548 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8549 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8550 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8551 you compiled your program to include this information; see
8552 @ref{Compilation}.
8553
8554 @cindex arrays in expressions
8555 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8556 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8557 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8558 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8559 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8560 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8561
8562 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8563 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8564 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8565 languages.
8566
8567 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8568 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8569
8570 @cindex casts, in expressions
8571 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8572 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8573 at that address in memory.
8574 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8575
8576 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8577 to programming languages:
8578
8579 @table @code
8580 @item @@
8581 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8582 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8583
8584 @item ::
8585 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8586 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8587
8588 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8589 @cindex type casting memory
8590 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8591 @cindex casts, to view memory
8592 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8593 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8594 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
8595 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
8596 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
8597 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8598 @end table
8599
8600 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8601 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8602 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8603
8604 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8605 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8606 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8607 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8608 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8609 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8610 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8611
8612 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8613 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8614 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8615 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8616 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8617 as well.
8618
8619 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8620 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8621 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8622 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8623 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8624 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8625 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8626 choices.
8627
8628 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8629 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8630 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8631
8632 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8633 @smallexample
8634 @group
8635 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8636 [0] cancel
8637 [1] all
8638 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8639 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8640 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8641 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8642 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8643 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8644 > 2 4 6
8645 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8646 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8647 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8648 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8649 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8650 breakpoints.
8651 (@value{GDBP})
8652 @end group
8653 @end smallexample
8654
8655 @table @code
8656 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8657 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8658 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8659
8660 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8661 is ambiguous.
8662
8663 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8664 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8665 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8666 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8667 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8668 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8669 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8670 in the use of the menu.
8671
8672 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8673 when an ambiguity is detected.
8674
8675 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8676 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8677
8678 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8679 @item show multiple-symbols
8680 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8681 @end table
8682
8683 @node Variables
8684 @section Program Variables
8685
8686 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8687 in your program.
8688
8689 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8690 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8691
8692 @itemize @bullet
8693 @item
8694 global (or file-static)
8695 @end itemize
8696
8697 @noindent or
8698
8699 @itemize @bullet
8700 @item
8701 visible according to the scope rules of the
8702 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8703 @end itemize
8704
8705 @noindent This means that in the function
8706
8707 @smallexample
8708 foo (a)
8709 int a;
8710 @{
8711 bar (a);
8712 @{
8713 int b = test ();
8714 bar (b);
8715 @}
8716 @}
8717 @end smallexample
8718
8719 @noindent
8720 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8721 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8722 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8723 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8724
8725 @cindex variable name conflict
8726 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8727 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8728 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8729 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8730 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8731 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8732 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8733
8734 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8735 @ifnotinfo
8736 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8737 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8738 @end ifnotinfo
8739 @smallexample
8740 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8741 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8742 @end smallexample
8743
8744 @noindent
8745 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8746 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8747 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8748 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8749
8750 @smallexample
8751 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8752 @end smallexample
8753
8754 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8755 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8756 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8757 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8758 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8759
8760 @smallexample
8761 void
8762 foo (int a)
8763 @{
8764 if (a < 10)
8765 bar (a);
8766 else
8767 process (a); /* Stop here */
8768 @}
8769
8770 int
8771 bar (int a)
8772 @{
8773 foo (a + 5);
8774 @}
8775 @end smallexample
8776
8777 @noindent
8778 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8779 here is what you might see
8780 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8781
8782 @smallexample
8783 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8784 $1 = 10
8785 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8786 $2 = 5
8787 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8788 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8789 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8790 $3 = 5
8791 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8792 $4 = 0
8793 @end smallexample
8794
8795 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8796 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
8797 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
8798 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
8799 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
8800
8801 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
8802 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
8803 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
8804 @code{some_global}.
8805
8806 @smallexample
8807 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
8808 $1 = 23
8809 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
8810 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
8811 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
8812 $2 = 27
8813 @end smallexample
8814
8815 @cindex wrong values
8816 @cindex variable values, wrong
8817 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8818 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8819 @quotation
8820 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8821 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8822 scope, and just before exit.
8823 @end quotation
8824 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8825 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8826 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8827 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8828 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8829 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8830 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8831 variable definitions may be gone.
8832
8833 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8834 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8835 when compiling.
8836
8837 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8838 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8839 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8840 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8841 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8842 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8843 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8844
8845 @smallexample
8846 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8847 @end smallexample
8848
8849 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8850 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8851 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8852 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8853 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8854
8855 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8856 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8857 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8858 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8859
8860 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8861 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8862 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8863 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8864 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8865
8866 @smallexample
8867 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8868 29 i++;
8869 (gdb) next
8870 30 e (i);
8871 (gdb) print i
8872 $1 = 31
8873 (gdb) print i@@entry
8874 $2 = 30
8875 @end smallexample
8876
8877 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8878 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8879 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8880 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8881 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8882 For program code
8883
8884 @smallexample
8885 char var0[] = "A";
8886 signed char var1[] = "A";
8887 @end smallexample
8888
8889 You get during debugging
8890 @smallexample
8891 (gdb) print var0
8892 $1 = "A"
8893 (gdb) print var1
8894 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8895 @end smallexample
8896
8897 @node Arrays
8898 @section Artificial Arrays
8899
8900 @cindex artificial array
8901 @cindex arrays
8902 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8903 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8904 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8905 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8906 program.
8907
8908 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8909 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8910 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8911 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8912 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8913 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8914 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8915 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8916 example. If a program says
8917
8918 @smallexample
8919 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8920 @end smallexample
8921
8922 @noindent
8923 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8924
8925 @smallexample
8926 p *array@@len
8927 @end smallexample
8928
8929 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8930 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8931 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8932 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8933 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8934
8935 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8936 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8937 The value need not be in memory:
8938 @smallexample
8939 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8940 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8941 @end smallexample
8942
8943 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8944 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8945 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8946 @smallexample
8947 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8948 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8949 @end smallexample
8950
8951 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8952 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8953 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8954 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8955 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8956 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8957 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8958 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8959 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8960 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8961
8962 @smallexample
8963 set $i = 0
8964 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8965 @key{RET}
8966 @key{RET}
8967 @dots{}
8968 @end smallexample
8969
8970 @node Output Formats
8971 @section Output Formats
8972
8973 @cindex formatted output
8974 @cindex output formats
8975 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8976 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8977 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8978 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8979 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8980
8981 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8982 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8983 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8984 letters supported are:
8985
8986 @table @code
8987 @item x
8988 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8989 hexadecimal.
8990
8991 @item d
8992 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8993
8994 @item u
8995 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8996
8997 @item o
8998 Print as integer in octal.
8999
9000 @item t
9001 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
9002 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
9003 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
9004 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
9005
9006 @item a
9007 @cindex unknown address, locating
9008 @cindex locate address
9009 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
9010 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
9011 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
9012
9013 @smallexample
9014 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
9015 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
9016 @end smallexample
9017
9018 @noindent
9019 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
9020 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
9021
9022 @item c
9023 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
9024 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
9025 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
9026 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
9027
9028 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
9029 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
9030 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
9031 data.
9032
9033 @item f
9034 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
9035 using typical floating point syntax.
9036
9037 @item s
9038 @cindex printing strings
9039 @cindex printing byte arrays
9040 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
9041 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
9042 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
9043 natural types.
9044
9045 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
9046 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
9047 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
9048 array.
9049
9050 @item z
9051 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
9052 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
9053 to the size of the integer type.
9054
9055 @item r
9056 @cindex raw printing
9057 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
9058 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
9059 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
9060 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
9061 pretty-printer which might exist.
9062 @end table
9063
9064 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
9065
9066 @smallexample
9067 p/x $pc
9068 @end smallexample
9069
9070 @noindent
9071 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
9072 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
9073
9074 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
9075 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
9076 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
9077
9078 @node Memory
9079 @section Examining Memory
9080
9081 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
9082 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
9083
9084 @cindex examining memory
9085 @table @code
9086 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
9087 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
9088 @itemx x @var{addr}
9089 @itemx x
9090 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
9091 @end table
9092
9093 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
9094 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
9095 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
9096 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
9097 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
9098
9099 @table @r
9100 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
9101 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
9102 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
9103 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
9104 @c 4.1.2.
9105
9106 @item @var{f}, the display format
9107 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
9108 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
9109 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
9110 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
9111 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
9112
9113 @item @var{u}, the unit size
9114 The unit size is any of
9115
9116 @table @code
9117 @item b
9118 Bytes.
9119 @item h
9120 Halfwords (two bytes).
9121 @item w
9122 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
9123 @item g
9124 Giant words (eight bytes).
9125 @end table
9126
9127 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
9128 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
9129 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
9130 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
9131 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
9132 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
9133 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
9134 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
9135 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
9136 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
9137 be altered.
9138
9139 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
9140 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
9141 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
9142 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
9143 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
9144 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
9145 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
9146 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
9147 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
9148 a value from memory).
9149 @end table
9150
9151 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
9152 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
9153 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
9154 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
9155 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
9156
9157 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
9158 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
9159 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
9160 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
9161 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
9162
9163 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
9164 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
9165 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
9166 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
9167 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
9168 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
9169 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
9170 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
9171 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
9172
9173 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
9174 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
9175 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
9176 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
9177 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
9178 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
9179 for successive uses of @code{x}.
9180
9181 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
9182 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
9183
9184 @smallexample
9185 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
9186 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
9187 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
9188 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
9189 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
9190 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
9191 @end smallexample
9192
9193 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
9194 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
9195 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
9196 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
9197 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
9198 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
9199 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
9200 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
9201 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
9202
9203 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
9204 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
9205 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
9206
9207 @anchor{addressable memory unit}
9208 @cindex addressable memory unit
9209 Most targets have an addressable memory unit size of 8 bits. This means
9210 that to each memory address are associated 8 bits of data. Some
9211 targets, however, have other addressable memory unit sizes.
9212 Within @value{GDBN} and this document, the term
9213 @dfn{addressable memory unit} (or @dfn{memory unit} for short) is used
9214 when explicitly referring to a chunk of data of that size. The word
9215 @dfn{byte} is used to refer to a chunk of data of 8 bits, regardless of
9216 the addressable memory unit size of the target. For most systems,
9217 addressable memory unit is a synonym of byte.
9218
9219 @cindex remote memory comparison
9220 @cindex target memory comparison
9221 @cindex verify remote memory image
9222 @cindex verify target memory image
9223 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
9224 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
9225 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
9226 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
9227 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
9228 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
9229
9230 @table @code
9231 @kindex compare-sections
9232 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
9233 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
9234 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
9235 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
9236 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
9237 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
9238
9239 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
9240 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
9241 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
9242 @end table
9243
9244 @node Auto Display
9245 @section Automatic Display
9246 @cindex automatic display
9247 @cindex display of expressions
9248
9249 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
9250 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
9251 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
9252 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
9253 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
9254 The automatic display looks like this:
9255
9256 @smallexample
9257 2: foo = 38
9258 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
9259 @end smallexample
9260
9261 @noindent
9262 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
9263 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
9264 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
9265 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
9266 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
9267 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
9268
9269 @table @code
9270 @kindex display
9271 @item display @var{expr}
9272 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
9273 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
9274
9275 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
9276
9277 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
9278 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
9279 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
9280 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
9281 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
9282
9283 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
9284 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
9285 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
9286 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
9287 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9288 @end table
9289
9290 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
9291 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
9292 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9293
9294 @table @code
9295 @kindex delete display
9296 @kindex undisplay
9297 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
9298 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9299 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
9300 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
9301 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
9302 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
9303 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9304
9305 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
9306 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
9307
9308 @kindex disable display
9309 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9310 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
9311 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
9312 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
9313 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
9314 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
9315 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
9316 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9317
9318 @kindex enable display
9319 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9320 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
9321 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
9322 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
9323 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
9324 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
9325 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9326
9327 @item display
9328 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
9329 done when your program stops.
9330
9331 @kindex info display
9332 @item info display
9333 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
9334 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
9335 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
9336 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
9337 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
9338 @end table
9339
9340 @cindex display disabled out of scope
9341 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
9342 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
9343 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
9344 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
9345 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
9346 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
9347 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
9348 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
9349 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
9350 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
9351
9352 @node Print Settings
9353 @section Print Settings
9354
9355 @cindex format options
9356 @cindex print settings
9357 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
9358 and symbols are printed.
9359
9360 @noindent
9361 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
9362
9363 @table @code
9364 @kindex set print
9365 @item set print address
9366 @itemx set print address on
9367 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
9368 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
9369 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
9370 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
9371 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
9372 @code{set print address on}:
9373
9374 @smallexample
9375 @group
9376 (@value{GDBP}) f
9377 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
9378 at input.c:530
9379 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9380 @end group
9381 @end smallexample
9382
9383 @item set print address off
9384 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
9385 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
9386
9387 @smallexample
9388 @group
9389 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
9390 (@value{GDBP}) f
9391 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
9392 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9393 @end group
9394 @end smallexample
9395
9396 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
9397 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
9398 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
9399 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
9400
9401 @kindex show print
9402 @item show print address
9403 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
9404 @end table
9405
9406 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
9407 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
9408 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
9409 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
9410 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
9411 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
9412 it prints a symbolic address:
9413
9414 @table @code
9415 @item set print symbol-filename on
9416 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
9417 @cindex symbol, source file and line
9418 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
9419 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9420
9421 @item set print symbol-filename off
9422 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
9423 default.
9424
9425 @item show print symbol-filename
9426 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
9427 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9428 @end table
9429
9430 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
9431 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
9432 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
9433
9434 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
9435 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
9436
9437 @table @code
9438 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
9439 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
9440 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
9441 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
9442 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
9443 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
9444 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
9445 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
9446
9447 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
9448 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
9449 symbolic address.
9450 @end table
9451
9452 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
9453 @cindex pointer, finding referent
9454 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
9455 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
9456 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
9457 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
9458 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
9459 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
9460
9461 @smallexample
9462 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
9463 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
9464 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
9465 @end smallexample
9466
9467 @quotation
9468 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
9469 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
9470 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
9471 @end quotation
9472
9473 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
9474 @samp{set print symbol on}:
9475
9476 @table @code
9477 @item set print symbol on
9478 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
9479 one exists.
9480
9481 @item set print symbol off
9482 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
9483 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
9484 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
9485
9486 @item show print symbol
9487 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
9488 address.
9489 @end table
9490
9491 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
9492
9493 @table @code
9494 @item set print array
9495 @itemx set print array on
9496 @cindex pretty print arrays
9497 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
9498 but uses more space. The default is off.
9499
9500 @item set print array off
9501 Return to compressed format for arrays.
9502
9503 @item show print array
9504 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
9505 arrays.
9506
9507 @cindex print array indexes
9508 @item set print array-indexes
9509 @itemx set print array-indexes on
9510 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
9511 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
9512 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
9513
9514 @item set print array-indexes off
9515 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
9516
9517 @item show print array-indexes
9518 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
9519 arrays.
9520
9521 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
9522 @itemx set print elements unlimited
9523 @cindex number of array elements to print
9524 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
9525 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
9526 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
9527 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
9528 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
9529 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
9530 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
9531 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
9532
9533 @item show print elements
9534 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
9535 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
9536
9537 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
9538 @kindex set print frame-arguments
9539 @cindex printing frame argument values
9540 @cindex print all frame argument values
9541 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
9542 @cindex do not print frame argument values
9543 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
9544 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
9545 values are:
9546
9547 @table @code
9548 @item all
9549 The values of all arguments are printed.
9550
9551 @item scalars
9552 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
9553 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
9554 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
9555 only scalar arguments are shown:
9556
9557 @smallexample
9558 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
9559 at frame-args.c:23
9560 @end smallexample
9561
9562 @item none
9563 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
9564 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
9565
9566 @smallexample
9567 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
9568 at frame-args.c:23
9569 @end smallexample
9570 @end table
9571
9572 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
9573 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
9574 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
9575 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
9576 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
9577 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
9578 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
9579 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
9580 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
9581 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
9582
9583 @item show print frame-arguments
9584 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9585
9586 @item set print raw frame-arguments on
9587 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
9588
9589 @item set print raw frame-arguments off
9590 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
9591 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
9592 otherwise print the value in raw form.
9593 This is the default.
9594
9595 @item show print raw frame-arguments
9596 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
9597
9598 @anchor{set print entry-values}
9599 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
9600 @kindex set print entry-values
9601 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9602 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9603 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9604 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9605 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9606
9607 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9608 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9609 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9610 @code{no} setting.
9611
9612 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9613 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9614 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9615 this information.
9616
9617 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9618
9619 @table @code
9620 @item no
9621 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9622 point.
9623 @smallexample
9624 #0 equal (val=5)
9625 #0 different (val=6)
9626 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9627 #0 born (val=10)
9628 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9629 @end smallexample
9630
9631 @item only
9632 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9633 values are never printed.
9634 @smallexample
9635 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9636 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9637 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9638 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9639 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9640 @end smallexample
9641
9642 @item preferred
9643 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9644 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9645 value for such parameter.
9646 @smallexample
9647 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9648 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9649 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9650 #0 born (val=10)
9651 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9652 @end smallexample
9653
9654 @item if-needed
9655 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9656 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9657 parameter.
9658 @smallexample
9659 #0 equal (val=5)
9660 #0 different (val=6)
9661 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9662 #0 born (val=10)
9663 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9664 @end smallexample
9665
9666 @item both
9667 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9668 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9669 optimizations.
9670 @smallexample
9671 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9672 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9673 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9674 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9675 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9676 @end smallexample
9677
9678 @item compact
9679 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9680 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9681 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9682 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9683 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9684 @smallexample
9685 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9686 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9687 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9688 #0 born (val=10)
9689 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9690 @end smallexample
9691
9692 @item default
9693 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9694 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9695 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9696 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9697 @smallexample
9698 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9699 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9700 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9701 #0 born (val=10)
9702 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9703 @end smallexample
9704 @end table
9705
9706 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9707 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9708
9709 @item show print entry-values
9710 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9711 entry.
9712
9713 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9714 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9715 @cindex repeated array elements
9716 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9717 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9718 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9719 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9720 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9721 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9722 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9723 is 10.
9724
9725 @item show print repeats
9726 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9727 elements.
9728
9729 @item set print null-stop
9730 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9731 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9732 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9733 contain only short strings.
9734 The default is off.
9735
9736 @item show print null-stop
9737 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9738 @sc{null} character.
9739
9740 @item set print pretty on
9741 @cindex print structures in indented form
9742 @cindex indentation in structure display
9743 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9744 per line, like this:
9745
9746 @smallexample
9747 @group
9748 $1 = @{
9749 next = 0x0,
9750 flags = @{
9751 sweet = 1,
9752 sour = 1
9753 @},
9754 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9755 @}
9756 @end group
9757 @end smallexample
9758
9759 @item set print pretty off
9760 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9761
9762 @smallexample
9763 @group
9764 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9765 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9766 @end group
9767 @end smallexample
9768
9769 @noindent
9770 This is the default format.
9771
9772 @item show print pretty
9773 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9774
9775 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9776 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9777 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9778 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9779 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9780 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9781 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9782 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9783
9784 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9785 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9786 international character sets, and is the default.
9787
9788 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9789 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9790
9791 @item set print union on
9792 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9793 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9794 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9795
9796 @item set print union off
9797 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9798 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9799 instead.
9800
9801 @item show print union
9802 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9803 structures and other unions.
9804
9805 For example, given the declarations
9806
9807 @smallexample
9808 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9809 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9810 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9811 Bug_forms;
9812
9813 struct thing @{
9814 Species it;
9815 union @{
9816 Tree_forms tree;
9817 Bug_forms bug;
9818 @} form;
9819 @};
9820
9821 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9822 @end smallexample
9823
9824 @noindent
9825 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9826
9827 @smallexample
9828 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9829 @end smallexample
9830
9831 @noindent
9832 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9833
9834 @smallexample
9835 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9836 @end smallexample
9837
9838 @noindent
9839 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9840 and in Pascal.
9841 @end table
9842
9843 @need 1000
9844 @noindent
9845 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9846
9847 @table @code
9848 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9849 @item set print demangle
9850 @itemx set print demangle on
9851 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9852 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9853 linkage. The default is on.
9854
9855 @item show print demangle
9856 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9857
9858 @item set print asm-demangle
9859 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9860 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9861 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9862 The default is off.
9863
9864 @item show print asm-demangle
9865 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9866 or demangled form.
9867
9868 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9869 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9870 @kindex set demangle-style
9871 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9872 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9873 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9874
9875 @table @code
9876 @item auto
9877 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9878 This is the default.
9879
9880 @item gnu
9881 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9882
9883 @item hp
9884 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9885
9886 @item lucid
9887 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9888
9889 @item arm
9890 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9891 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9892 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9893 require further enhancement to permit that.
9894
9895 @end table
9896 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9897
9898 @item show demangle-style
9899 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9900
9901 @item set print object
9902 @itemx set print object on
9903 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9904 @cindex display derived types
9905 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9906 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9907 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9908 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9909 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9910 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9911 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9912
9913 @item set print object off
9914 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9915 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9916
9917 @item show print object
9918 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9919
9920 @item set print static-members
9921 @itemx set print static-members on
9922 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9923 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9924
9925 @item set print static-members off
9926 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9927
9928 @item show print static-members
9929 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9930
9931 @item set print pascal_static-members
9932 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9933 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9934 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9935 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9936
9937 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9938 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9939
9940 @item show print pascal_static-members
9941 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9942
9943 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9944 @item set print vtbl
9945 @itemx set print vtbl on
9946 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9947 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9948 @cindex VTBL display
9949 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9950 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9951 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9952
9953 @item set print vtbl off
9954 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9955
9956 @item show print vtbl
9957 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9958 @end table
9959
9960 @node Pretty Printing
9961 @section Pretty Printing
9962
9963 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9964 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9965 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9966
9967 @menu
9968 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9969 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9970 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9971 @end menu
9972
9973 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9974 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9975
9976 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9977 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9978 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9979
9980 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9981 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9982 pretty-printers with their names.
9983 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9984 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9985 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9986 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9987
9988 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9989 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9990 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9991 do anything special.
9992
9993 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9994
9995 @itemize @bullet
9996 @item
9997 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9998 all inferiors.
9999
10000 @item
10001 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
10002 when debugging that program.
10003 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
10004
10005 @item
10006 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
10007 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
10008 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
10009 @end itemize
10010
10011 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
10012 pretty-printers are selected,
10013
10014 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
10015 for new types.
10016
10017 @node Pretty-Printer Example
10018 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
10019
10020 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
10021
10022 @smallexample
10023 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10024 $1 = @{
10025 static npos = 4294967295,
10026 _M_dataplus = @{
10027 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
10028 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
10029 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
10030 @},
10031 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
10032 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
10033 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
10034 @}
10035 @}
10036 @end smallexample
10037
10038 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
10039
10040 @smallexample
10041 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10042 $2 = "abcd"
10043 @end smallexample
10044
10045 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
10046 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
10047 @cindex pretty-printer commands
10048
10049 @table @code
10050 @kindex info pretty-printer
10051 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10052 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
10053 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
10054
10055 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
10056 whose pretty-printers to list.
10057 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
10058 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
10059 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
10060 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
10061 looks up a printer from these three objects.
10062
10063 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
10064 to list.
10065
10066 @kindex disable pretty-printer
10067 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10068 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10069 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
10070
10071 @kindex enable pretty-printer
10072 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10073 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10074 @end table
10075
10076 Example:
10077
10078 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
10079 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
10080 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
10081 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
10082
10083 @smallexample
10084 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10085 library1.so:
10086 foo
10087 library2.so:
10088 bar
10089 bar1
10090 bar2
10091 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10092 library2.so:
10093 bar
10094 bar1
10095 bar2
10096 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
10097 1 printer disabled
10098 2 of 3 printers enabled
10099 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10100 library1.so:
10101 foo [disabled]
10102 library2.so:
10103 bar
10104 bar1
10105 bar2
10106 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
10107 1 printer disabled
10108 1 of 3 printers enabled
10109 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10110 library1.so:
10111 foo [disabled]
10112 library2.so:
10113 bar
10114 bar1 [disabled]
10115 bar2
10116 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
10117 1 printer disabled
10118 0 of 3 printers enabled
10119 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10120 library1.so:
10121 foo [disabled]
10122 library2.so:
10123 bar [disabled]
10124 bar1 [disabled]
10125 bar2
10126 @end smallexample
10127
10128 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
10129 as can each individual subprinter.
10130
10131 @node Value History
10132 @section Value History
10133
10134 @cindex value history
10135 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
10136 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
10137 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
10138 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
10139 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
10140 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
10141 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
10142 symbol table.
10143
10144 @cindex @code{$}
10145 @cindex @code{$$}
10146 @cindex history number
10147 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
10148 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
10149 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
10150 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
10151 history number.
10152
10153 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
10154 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
10155 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
10156 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
10157 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
10158 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
10159 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
10160
10161 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
10162 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
10163
10164 @smallexample
10165 p *$
10166 @end smallexample
10167
10168 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
10169 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
10170
10171 @smallexample
10172 p *$.next
10173 @end smallexample
10174
10175 @noindent
10176 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
10177 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
10178
10179 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
10180 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
10181
10182 @smallexample
10183 print x
10184 set x=5
10185 @end smallexample
10186
10187 @noindent
10188 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
10189 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
10190
10191 @table @code
10192 @kindex show values
10193 @item show values
10194 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
10195 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
10196 values} does not change the history.
10197
10198 @item show values @var{n}
10199 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
10200
10201 @item show values +
10202 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
10203 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
10204 @end table
10205
10206 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
10207 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
10208
10209 @node Convenience Vars
10210 @section Convenience Variables
10211
10212 @cindex convenience variables
10213 @cindex user-defined variables
10214 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
10215 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
10216 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
10217 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
10218 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
10219
10220 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
10221 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
10222 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
10223 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
10224 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
10225
10226 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
10227 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
10228 For example:
10229
10230 @smallexample
10231 set $foo = *object_ptr
10232 @end smallexample
10233
10234 @noindent
10235 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
10236 @code{object_ptr}.
10237
10238 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
10239 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
10240 value with another assignment at any time.
10241
10242 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
10243 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
10244 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
10245 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
10246
10247 @table @code
10248 @kindex show convenience
10249 @cindex show all user variables and functions
10250 @item show convenience
10251 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
10252 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
10253 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
10254
10255 @kindex init-if-undefined
10256 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
10257 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
10258 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
10259 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
10260 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
10261 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
10262 override default values used in a command script.
10263
10264 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
10265 any side-effects do not occur.
10266 @end table
10267
10268 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
10269 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
10270 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
10271
10272 @smallexample
10273 set $i = 0
10274 print bar[$i++]->contents
10275 @end smallexample
10276
10277 @noindent
10278 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
10279
10280 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
10281 values likely to be useful.
10282
10283 @table @code
10284 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
10285 @item $_
10286 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
10287 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
10288 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
10289 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
10290 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
10291 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
10292 to the type of @code{$__}.
10293
10294 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
10295 @item $__
10296 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
10297 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
10298 to match the format in which the data was printed.
10299
10300 @item $_exitcode
10301 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
10302 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
10303 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
10304 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
10305
10306 @item $_exitsignal
10307 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
10308 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
10309 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
10310 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
10311
10312 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
10313 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
10314 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
10315 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
10316 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
10317
10318 @smallexample
10319 #include <signal.h>
10320
10321 int
10322 main (int argc, char *argv[])
10323 @{
10324 raise (SIGALRM);
10325 return 0;
10326 @}
10327 @end smallexample
10328
10329 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
10330 or signalled would be:
10331
10332 @smallexample
10333 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
10334 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
10335 End with a line saying just ``end''.
10336 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
10337 >echo The program has exited\n
10338 >else
10339 >echo The program has signalled\n
10340 >end
10341 >end
10342 (@value{GDBP}) run
10343 Starting program:
10344
10345 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
10346 The program no longer exists.
10347 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10348 The program has signalled
10349 @end smallexample
10350
10351 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
10352 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
10353 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
10354 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
10355
10356 @smallexample
10357 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10358 The program has exited
10359 @end smallexample
10360
10361 @item $_exception
10362 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
10363 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
10364
10365 @item $_probe_argc
10366 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
10367 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
10368
10369 @item $_sdata
10370 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
10371 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
10372 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
10373 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
10374 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
10375
10376 @item $_siginfo
10377 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
10378 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
10379 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
10380 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
10381 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
10382
10383 @item $_tlb
10384 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
10385 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
10386 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
10387 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
10388 @xref{General Query Packets}.
10389 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
10390
10391 @item $_inferior
10392 The number of the current inferior. @xref{Inferiors and
10393 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}.
10394
10395 @end table
10396
10397 @node Convenience Funs
10398 @section Convenience Functions
10399
10400 @cindex convenience functions
10401 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
10402 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
10403 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
10404 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
10405 @value{GDBN}.
10406
10407 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10408 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
10409
10410 @table @code
10411
10412 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
10413 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
10414 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
10415 returns zero.
10416
10417 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
10418 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
10419 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
10420 it is @code{void}:
10421
10422 @smallexample
10423 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10424 $1 = void
10425 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10426 $2 = 1
10427 (@value{GDBP}) run
10428 Starting program: ./a.out
10429 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
10430 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10431 $3 = 0
10432 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10433 $4 = 0
10434 @end smallexample
10435
10436 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
10437 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
10438 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
10439 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
10440 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
10441 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
10442 anymore.
10443
10444 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
10445 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
10446
10447 @smallexample
10448 void
10449 foo (void)
10450 @{
10451 @}
10452 @end smallexample
10453
10454 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
10455
10456 @smallexample
10457 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
10458 $1 = void
10459 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
10460 $2 = 1
10461 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
10462 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
10463 $3 = void
10464 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
10465 $4 = 1
10466 @end smallexample
10467
10468 @end table
10469
10470 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10471 @code{Python} support.
10472
10473 @table @code
10474
10475 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
10476 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
10477 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
10478 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
10479 Otherwise it returns zero.
10480
10481 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
10482 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
10483 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
10484 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10485 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
10486 regular expression support.
10487
10488 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
10489 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
10490 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
10491 Otherwise it returns zero.
10492
10493 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
10494 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
10495 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
10496
10497 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10498 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10499 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10500 Otherwise it returns zero.
10501
10502 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10503 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10504 The default is 1.
10505
10506 Example:
10507
10508 @smallexample
10509 (gdb) backtrace
10510 #0 bottom_func ()
10511 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
10512 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
10513 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
10514 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
10515 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
10516 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
10517 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
10518 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
10519 $1 = 1
10520 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
10521 $1 = 1
10522 @end smallexample
10523
10524 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10525 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10526 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
10527 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10528
10529 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10530 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10531 The default is 1.
10532
10533 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10534 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10535 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10536 Otherwise it returns zero.
10537
10538 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10539 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10540 The default is 1.
10541
10542 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
10543 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10544 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
10545 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10546
10547 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10548 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10549 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
10550 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10551
10552 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10553 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10554 The default is 1.
10555
10556 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
10557 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10558 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
10559 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10560
10561 @end table
10562
10563 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
10564 convenience functions.
10565
10566 @table @code
10567 @item help function
10568 @kindex help function
10569 @cindex show all convenience functions
10570 Print a list of all convenience functions.
10571 @end table
10572
10573 @node Registers
10574 @section Registers
10575
10576 @cindex registers
10577 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
10578 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
10579 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
10580 your machine.
10581
10582 @table @code
10583 @kindex info registers
10584 @item info registers
10585 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
10586 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10587
10588 @kindex info all-registers
10589 @cindex floating point registers
10590 @item info all-registers
10591 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
10592 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10593
10594 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
10595 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
10596 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
10597 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
10598 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
10599 @end table
10600
10601 @anchor{standard registers}
10602 @cindex stack pointer register
10603 @cindex program counter register
10604 @cindex process status register
10605 @cindex frame pointer register
10606 @cindex standard registers
10607 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
10608 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
10609 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
10610 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
10611 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
10612 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
10613 register that contains the processor status. For example,
10614 you could print the program counter in hex with
10615
10616 @smallexample
10617 p/x $pc
10618 @end smallexample
10619
10620 @noindent
10621 or print the instruction to be executed next with
10622
10623 @smallexample
10624 x/i $pc
10625 @end smallexample
10626
10627 @noindent
10628 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
10629 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
10630 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
10631 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
10632 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
10633 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
10634 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
10635
10636 @smallexample
10637 set $sp += 4
10638 @end smallexample
10639
10640 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
10641 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
10642 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
10643 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
10644 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
10645 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
10646 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
10647
10648 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
10649 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
10650 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
10651 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
10652 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
10653 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
10654 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
10655
10656 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
10657 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
10658 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
10659 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
10660 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
10661 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
10662 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
10663 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
10664 prints the data in both formats.
10665
10666 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
10667 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
10668 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
10669 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
10670 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
10671 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
10672 registers in @code{struct} notation:
10673
10674 @smallexample
10675 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
10676 $1 = @{
10677 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
10678 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
10679 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
10680 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
10681 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
10682 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
10683 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
10684 @}
10685 @end smallexample
10686
10687 @noindent
10688 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
10689 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
10690 value to a @code{struct} member:
10691
10692 @smallexample
10693 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
10694 @end smallexample
10695
10696 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
10697 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
10698 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
10699 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
10700 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
10701 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
10702
10703 @cindex caller-saved registers
10704 @cindex call-clobbered registers
10705 @cindex volatile registers
10706 @cindex <not saved> values
10707 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
10708 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
10709 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
10710 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
10711 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
10712 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
10713 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
10714 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
10715 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
10716 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
10717 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
10718 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
10719 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
10720 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
10721 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
10722 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
10723 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
10724 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
10725 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
10726 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
10727 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
10728 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
10729 represent the value the register had just before the call.
10730
10731 @node Floating Point Hardware
10732 @section Floating Point Hardware
10733 @cindex floating point
10734
10735 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
10736 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
10737
10738 @table @code
10739 @kindex info float
10740 @item info float
10741 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
10742 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
10743 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
10744 the ARM and x86 machines.
10745 @end table
10746
10747 @node Vector Unit
10748 @section Vector Unit
10749 @cindex vector unit
10750
10751 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
10752 more information about the status of the vector unit.
10753
10754 @table @code
10755 @kindex info vector
10756 @item info vector
10757 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
10758 layout vary depending on the hardware.
10759 @end table
10760
10761 @node OS Information
10762 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
10763 @cindex OS information
10764
10765 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
10766 you debug your program.
10767
10768 @cindex auxiliary vector
10769 @cindex vector, auxiliary
10770 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
10771 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
10772 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
10773 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
10774 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
10775 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
10776 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
10777 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
10778 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
10779 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
10780 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
10781
10782 @table @code
10783 @kindex info auxv
10784 @item info auxv
10785 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
10786 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
10787 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
10788 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
10789 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
10790 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
10791 an unrecognized tag.
10792 @end table
10793
10794 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
10795 information and show it to you. The types of information available
10796 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
10797 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
10798 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
10799 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
10800 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
10801
10802 @table @code
10803 @kindex info os
10804 @item info os @var{infotype}
10805
10806 Display OS information of the requested type.
10807
10808 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10809
10810 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10811 @table @code
10812 @kindex info os cpus
10813 @item cpus
10814 Display the list of all CPUs/cores. For each CPU/core, @value{GDBN} prints
10815 the available fields from /proc/cpuinfo. For each supported architecture
10816 different fields are available. Two common entries are processor which gives
10817 CPU number and bogomips; a system constant that is calculated during
10818 kernel initialization.
10819
10820 @kindex info os files
10821 @item files
10822 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10823 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10824 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10825 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10826
10827 @kindex info os modules
10828 @item modules
10829 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10830 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10831 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10832 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10833 in memory.
10834
10835 @kindex info os msg
10836 @item msg
10837 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10838 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10839 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10840 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10841 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10842 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10843 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10844 the message queue was last changed.
10845
10846 @kindex info os processes
10847 @item processes
10848 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10849 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10850 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10851 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10852 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10853 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10854
10855 @kindex info os procgroups
10856 @item procgroups
10857 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10858 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10859 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10860 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10861 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10862 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10863 and the process group leader is listed first.
10864
10865 @kindex info os semaphores
10866 @item semaphores
10867 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10868 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10869 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10870 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10871 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10872
10873 @kindex info os shm
10874 @item shm
10875 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10876 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10877 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10878 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10879 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10880 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10881 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10882
10883 @kindex info os sockets
10884 @item sockets
10885 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10886 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10887 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10888 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10889 connection.
10890
10891 @kindex info os threads
10892 @item threads
10893 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10894 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10895 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10896 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10897 process is not listed.
10898 @end table
10899
10900 @item info os
10901 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10902 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10903 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10904 types, this command will report an error.
10905 @end table
10906
10907 @node Memory Region Attributes
10908 @section Memory Region Attributes
10909 @cindex memory region attributes
10910
10911 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10912 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10913 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10914 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10915 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10916 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10917 user can override the fetched regions.
10918
10919 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10920 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10921 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10922 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10923 all memory.
10924
10925 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10926 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10927
10928 @table @code
10929 @kindex mem
10930 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10931 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10932 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10933 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10934 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10935 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10936
10937 @item mem auto
10938 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10939 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10940
10941 @kindex delete mem
10942 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10943 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10944 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10945
10946 @kindex disable mem
10947 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10948 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10949 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10950 It may be enabled again later.
10951
10952 @kindex enable mem
10953 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10954 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10955
10956 @kindex info mem
10957 @item info mem
10958 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10959 for each region:
10960
10961 @table @emph
10962 @item Memory Region Number
10963 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10964 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10965 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10966
10967 @item Lo Address
10968 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10969
10970 @item Hi Address
10971 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10972
10973 @item Attributes
10974 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10975 @end table
10976 @end table
10977
10978
10979 @subsection Attributes
10980
10981 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10982 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10983 write accesses to a memory region.
10984
10985 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10986 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10987 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10988
10989 @table @code
10990 @item ro
10991 Memory is read only.
10992 @item wo
10993 Memory is write only.
10994 @item rw
10995 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10996 @end table
10997
10998 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10999 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
11000 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
11001 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
11002 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
11003
11004 @table @code
11005 @item 8
11006 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
11007 @item 16
11008 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
11009 @item 32
11010 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
11011 @item 64
11012 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
11013 @end table
11014
11015 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
11016 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11017 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
11018 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
11019 @c
11020 @c @table @code
11021 @c @item hwbreak
11022 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
11023 @c @item swbreak (default)
11024 @c @end table
11025
11026 @subsubsection Data Cache
11027 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
11028 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
11029 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
11030 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
11031 registers.
11032
11033 @table @code
11034 @item cache
11035 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
11036 @item nocache
11037 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
11038 @end table
11039
11040 @subsection Memory Access Checking
11041 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
11042 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
11043 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
11044 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
11045
11046 @table @code
11047 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
11048 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
11049 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
11050 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
11051 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
11052 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
11053 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
11054 The default value is @code{on}.
11055 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
11056 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
11057 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
11058 @end table
11059
11060
11061 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
11062 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11063 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
11064 @c
11065 @c @table @code
11066 @c @item verify
11067 @c @item noverify (default)
11068 @c @end table
11069
11070 @node Dump/Restore Files
11071 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
11072 @cindex dump/restore files
11073 @cindex append data to a file
11074 @cindex dump data to a file
11075 @cindex restore data from a file
11076
11077 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
11078 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
11079 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
11080 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
11081 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex,
11082 Tektronix Hex, or Verilog Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only
11083 append to binary files, and cannot read from Verilog Hex files.
11084
11085 @table @code
11086
11087 @kindex dump
11088 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11089 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11090 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11091 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
11092
11093 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
11094 @table @code
11095 @item binary
11096 Raw binary form.
11097 @item ihex
11098 Intel hex format.
11099 @item srec
11100 Motorola S-record format.
11101 @item tekhex
11102 Tektronix Hex format.
11103 @item verilog
11104 Verilog Hex format.
11105 @end table
11106
11107 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
11108 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
11109 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
11110 form.
11111
11112 @kindex append
11113 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11114 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11115 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11116 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
11117 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
11118
11119 @kindex restore
11120 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
11121 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
11122 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
11123 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
11124 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
11125
11126 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
11127 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
11128 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
11129 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
11130 from that location.
11131
11132 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
11133 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
11134 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
11135 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
11136
11137 @end table
11138
11139 @node Core File Generation
11140 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
11141 @cindex dump core from inferior
11142
11143 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
11144 image of a running process and its process status (register values
11145 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
11146 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
11147 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
11148 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
11149 the post-mortem debugging mode.
11150
11151 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
11152 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
11153 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
11154
11155 @table @code
11156 @kindex gcore
11157 @kindex generate-core-file
11158 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
11159 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
11160 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
11161 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
11162 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
11163 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
11164
11165 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
11166 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
11167
11168 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, this command can take into account the value of the
11169 file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating the core
11170 dump (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}).
11171
11172 @kindex set use-coredump-filter
11173 @anchor{set use-coredump-filter}
11174 @item set use-coredump-filter on
11175 @itemx set use-coredump-filter off
11176 Enable or disable the use of the file
11177 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating core dump
11178 files. This file is used by the Linux kernel to decide what types of
11179 memory mappings will be dumped or ignored when generating a core dump
11180 file. @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process.
11181
11182 To make use of this feature, you have to write in the
11183 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file a value, in hexadecimal,
11184 which is a bit mask representing the memory mapping types. If a bit
11185 is set in the bit mask, then the memory mappings of the corresponding
11186 types will be dumped; otherwise, they will be ignored. This
11187 configuration is inherited by child processes. For more information
11188 about the bits that can be set in the
11189 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file, please refer to the
11190 manpage of @code{core(5)}.
11191
11192 By default, this option is @code{on}. If this option is turned
11193 @code{off}, @value{GDBN} does not read the @file{coredump_filter} file
11194 and instead uses the same default value as the Linux kernel in order
11195 to decide which pages will be dumped in the core dump file. This
11196 value is currently @code{0x33}, which means that bits @code{0}
11197 (anonymous private mappings), @code{1} (anonymous shared mappings),
11198 @code{4} (ELF headers) and @code{5} (private huge pages) are active.
11199 This will cause these memory mappings to be dumped automatically.
11200 @end table
11201
11202 @node Character Sets
11203 @section Character Sets
11204 @cindex character sets
11205 @cindex charset
11206 @cindex translating between character sets
11207 @cindex host character set
11208 @cindex target character set
11209
11210 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
11211 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
11212 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
11213 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
11214 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
11215 @dfn{target character set}.
11216
11217 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
11218 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
11219 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
11220 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
11221 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
11222 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
11223 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
11224 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
11225 character and string literals in expressions.
11226
11227 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
11228 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
11229 target-charset} command, described below.
11230
11231 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
11232 support:
11233
11234 @table @code
11235 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
11236 @kindex set target-charset
11237 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
11238 list of supported target character sets, type
11239 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11240
11241 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
11242 @kindex set host-charset
11243 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
11244
11245 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
11246 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
11247 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
11248 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
11249 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
11250
11251 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
11252 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11253 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
11254
11255 @item set charset @var{charset}
11256 @kindex set charset
11257 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
11258 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11259 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
11260 for both host and target.
11261
11262 @item show charset
11263 @kindex show charset
11264 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
11265
11266 @item show host-charset
11267 @kindex show host-charset
11268 Show the name of the current host character set.
11269
11270 @item show target-charset
11271 @kindex show target-charset
11272 Show the name of the current target character set.
11273
11274 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
11275 @kindex set target-wide-charset
11276 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
11277 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
11278 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
11279 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11280
11281 @item show target-wide-charset
11282 @kindex show target-wide-charset
11283 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
11284 @end table
11285
11286 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
11287 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
11288 @file{charset-test.c}:
11289
11290 @smallexample
11291 #include <stdio.h>
11292
11293 char ascii_hello[]
11294 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
11295 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
11296 char ibm1047_hello[]
11297 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
11298 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
11299
11300 main ()
11301 @{
11302 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11303 @}
11304 @end smallexample
11305
11306 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
11307 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
11308 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
11309
11310 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
11311
11312 @smallexample
11313 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
11314 $ gdb -nw charset-test
11315 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
11316 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11317 @dots{}
11318 (@value{GDBP})
11319 @end smallexample
11320
11321 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
11322 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
11323 strings:
11324
11325 @smallexample
11326 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11327 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
11328 (@value{GDBP})
11329 @end smallexample
11330
11331 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
11332 initial character set:
11333 @smallexample
11334 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
11335 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11336 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
11337 (@value{GDBP})
11338 @end smallexample
11339
11340 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
11341 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
11342 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
11343 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
11344 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
11345
11346 @smallexample
11347 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11348 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
11349 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11350 $2 = 72 'H'
11351 (@value{GDBP})
11352 @end smallexample
11353
11354 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
11355 literals you use in expressions:
11356
11357 @smallexample
11358 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11359 $3 = 43 '+'
11360 (@value{GDBP})
11361 @end smallexample
11362
11363 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
11364 character.
11365
11366 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
11367 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
11368 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
11369
11370 @smallexample
11371 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11372 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
11373 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11374 $5 = 200 '\310'
11375 (@value{GDBP})
11376 @end smallexample
11377
11378 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
11379 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
11380
11381 @smallexample
11382 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11383 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
11384 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11385 @end smallexample
11386
11387 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
11388 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
11389 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
11390 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
11391 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
11392
11393 @smallexample
11394 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
11395 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11396 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
11397 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
11398 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11399 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
11400 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11401 $7 = 72 '\110'
11402 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11403 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
11404 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11405 $9 = 200 'H'
11406 (@value{GDBP})
11407 @end smallexample
11408
11409 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
11410 string literals you use in expressions:
11411
11412 @smallexample
11413 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11414 $10 = 78 '+'
11415 (@value{GDBP})
11416 @end smallexample
11417
11418 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
11419 character.
11420
11421 @node Caching Target Data
11422 @section Caching Data of Targets
11423 @cindex caching data of targets
11424
11425 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
11426 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
11427 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
11428 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
11429 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
11430 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
11431 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
11432 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
11433 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
11434 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
11435 is executing.
11436 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
11437 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
11438 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
11439 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
11440 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
11441 in the code segment.
11442 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
11443 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
11444
11445 @table @code
11446 @kindex set remotecache
11447 @item set remotecache on
11448 @itemx set remotecache off
11449 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
11450 with old scripts.
11451
11452 @kindex show remotecache
11453 @item show remotecache
11454 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
11455
11456 @kindex set stack-cache
11457 @item set stack-cache on
11458 @itemx set stack-cache off
11459 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
11460 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
11461
11462 @kindex show stack-cache
11463 @item show stack-cache
11464 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
11465
11466 @kindex set code-cache
11467 @item set code-cache on
11468 @itemx set code-cache off
11469 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
11470 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
11471 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
11472
11473 @kindex show code-cache
11474 @item show code-cache
11475 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
11476 accesses.
11477
11478 @kindex info dcache
11479 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
11480 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
11481 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
11482 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
11483 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
11484 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
11485
11486 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
11487 printed in hex.
11488
11489 @item set dcache size @var{size}
11490 @cindex dcache size
11491 @kindex set dcache size
11492 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
11493
11494 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
11495 @cindex dcache line-size
11496 @kindex set dcache line-size
11497 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
11498 Must be a power of 2.
11499
11500 @item show dcache size
11501 @kindex show dcache size
11502 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
11503
11504 @item show dcache line-size
11505 @kindex show dcache line-size
11506 Show default size of dcache lines.
11507
11508 @end table
11509
11510 @node Searching Memory
11511 @section Search Memory
11512 @cindex searching memory
11513
11514 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
11515 @code{find} command.
11516
11517 @table @code
11518 @kindex find
11519 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11520 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11521 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
11522 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
11523 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
11524 @end table
11525
11526 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
11527 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
11528
11529 @table @r
11530 @item @var{s}, search query size
11531 The size of each search query value.
11532
11533 @table @code
11534 @item b
11535 bytes
11536 @item h
11537 halfwords (two bytes)
11538 @item w
11539 words (four bytes)
11540 @item g
11541 giant words (eight bytes)
11542 @end table
11543
11544 All values are interpreted in the current language.
11545 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
11546 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
11547
11548 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
11549 value's type in the current language.
11550 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
11551 pattern as a mixture of types.
11552 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
11553 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
11554 which is typically four bytes.
11555
11556 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
11557 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
11558 @end table
11559
11560 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
11561 (@code{"}).
11562 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
11563 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
11564
11565 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
11566 number of matches found.
11567
11568 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
11569 @samp{$_}.
11570 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
11571
11572 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
11573
11574 @smallexample
11575 void
11576 hello ()
11577 @{
11578 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
11579 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
11580 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
11581 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
11582 printf ("%s\n", hello);
11583 @}
11584 @end smallexample
11585
11586 @noindent
11587 you get during debugging:
11588
11589 @smallexample
11590 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
11591 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
11592 1 pattern found
11593 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
11594 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
11595 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
11596 2 patterns found
11597 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
11598 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
11599 1 pattern found
11600 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
11601 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
11602 1 pattern found
11603 (gdb) print $numfound
11604 $1 = 1
11605 (gdb) print $_
11606 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
11607 @end smallexample
11608
11609 @node Optimized Code
11610 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
11611 @cindex optimized code, debugging
11612 @cindex debugging optimized code
11613
11614 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
11615 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
11616 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
11617 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
11618 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
11619 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
11620 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
11621
11622 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
11623 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
11624 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
11625 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
11626
11627 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
11628 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
11629 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
11630 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
11631 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
11632 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
11633
11634 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
11635 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
11636 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
11637 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
11638 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
11639
11640 @menu
11641 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
11642 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
11643 @end menu
11644
11645 @node Inline Functions
11646 @section Inline Functions
11647 @cindex inline functions, debugging
11648
11649 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
11650 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
11651 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
11652 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
11653 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
11654 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
11655 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
11656 @code{info frame} command.
11657
11658 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
11659 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
11660 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
11661 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
11662 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
11663 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
11664 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
11665 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
11666 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
11667 local variables in the caller.
11668
11669 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
11670 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
11671 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
11672 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
11673 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
11674 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
11675 instructions are executed.
11676
11677 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
11678 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
11679 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
11680 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
11681
11682 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
11683 function calls are the same as normal calls:
11684
11685 @itemize @bullet
11686 @item
11687 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
11688 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
11689 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
11690 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
11691 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
11692 or inside the inlined function instead.
11693
11694 @item
11695 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
11696 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
11697 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
11698 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
11699
11700 @end itemize
11701
11702 @node Tail Call Frames
11703 @section Tail Call Frames
11704 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
11705
11706 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
11707 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
11708 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
11709 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
11710 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
11711
11712 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
11713 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
11714 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
11715 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
11716 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
11717 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
11718 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
11719
11720 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
11721 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
11722 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
11723 this information.
11724
11725 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
11726 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
11727
11728 @smallexample
11729 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
11730 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
11731 (gdb) info frame
11732 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
11733 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
11734 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
11735 source language c++.
11736 Arglist at unknown address.
11737 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
11738 @end smallexample
11739
11740 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
11741 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
11742 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
11743 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
11744 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
11745 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
11746
11747 @table @code
11748 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
11749 @item set debug entry-values
11750 @kindex set debug entry-values
11751 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
11752 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
11753 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
11754 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
11755 result.
11756
11757 @item show debug entry-values
11758 @kindex show debug entry-values
11759 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
11760 values at function entry and tail calls.
11761 @end table
11762
11763 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
11764 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
11765 reference by variable @code{x}):
11766
11767 @smallexample
11768 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
11769 void (*x) (void) = c;
11770 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11771 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
11772 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
11773
11774 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
11775 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
11776 a () at t.c:3
11777 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11778 (gdb) bt
11779 #0 a () at t.c:3
11780 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
11781 @end smallexample
11782
11783 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
11784
11785 @smallexample
11786 int i;
11787 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
11788 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
11789 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
11790 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
11791 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
11792 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
11793 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
11794 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
11795
11796 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
11797 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
11798 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
11799 (gdb) bt
11800 #0 f () at t.c:2
11801 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
11802 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
11803 @end smallexample
11804
11805 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
11806 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
11807
11808 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
11809 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11810 @set ARROW @click{}
11811 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
11812 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
11813 @end ifset
11814 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11815 @set ARROW ->
11816 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
11817 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
11818 @end ifclear
11819
11820 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
11821 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
11822 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
11823
11824 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
11825 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
11826 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
11827 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
11828 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
11829 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
11830
11831 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
11832 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
11833 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
11834 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
11835 omitted.
11836
11837 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
11838 entry may fail:
11839
11840 @smallexample
11841 int v;
11842 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
11843 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
11844 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
11845 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
11846 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
11847 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
11848
11849 (gdb) bt
11850 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
11851 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
11852 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
11853 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
11854 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
11855 @end smallexample
11856
11857 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
11858 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
11859 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
11860 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
11861 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
11862
11863 @node Macros
11864 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11865
11866 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11867 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11868 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11869 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11870 where it was defined.
11871
11872 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11873 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11874 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11875 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11876
11877 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11878 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11879 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11880 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11881 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11882 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11883 see @ref{List}.
11884
11885 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11886 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11887 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11888
11889 @table @code
11890
11891 @kindex macro expand
11892 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11893 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11894 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11895 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11896 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11897 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11898 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11899 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11900 it can be any string of tokens.
11901
11902 @kindex macro exp1
11903 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11904 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11905 @cindex expand macro once
11906 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11907 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11908 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11909 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11910 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11911 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11912 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11913 can be any string of tokens.
11914
11915 @kindex info macro
11916 @cindex macro definition, showing
11917 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11918 @cindex macros, from debug info
11919 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11920 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11921 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11922 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11923 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11924 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11925
11926 @kindex info macros
11927 @item info macros @var{location}
11928 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11929 by @var{location}, and describe the source location or compiler
11930 command-line where those definitions were established.
11931
11932 @kindex macro define
11933 @cindex user-defined macros
11934 @cindex defining macros interactively
11935 @cindex macros, user-defined
11936 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11937 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11938 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11939 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11940 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11941 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11942 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11943 @var{arglist}.
11944
11945 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11946 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11947 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11948 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11949 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11950
11951 @kindex macro undef
11952 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11953 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11954 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11955 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11956 in the program being debugged.
11957
11958 @kindex macro list
11959 @item macro list
11960 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11961 @end table
11962
11963 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11964 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11965 show our source files:
11966
11967 @smallexample
11968 $ cat sample.c
11969 #include <stdio.h>
11970 #include "sample.h"
11971
11972 #define M 42
11973 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11974
11975 main ()
11976 @{
11977 #define N 28
11978 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11979 #undef N
11980 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11981 #define N 1729
11982 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11983 @}
11984 $ cat sample.h
11985 #define Q <
11986 $
11987 @end smallexample
11988
11989 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11990 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11991 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11992 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11993 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11994 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11995 information.
11996
11997 @smallexample
11998 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11999 $
12000 @end smallexample
12001
12002 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
12003
12004 @smallexample
12005 $ gdb -nw sample
12006 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
12007 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12008 GDB is free software, @dots{}
12009 (@value{GDBP})
12010 @end smallexample
12011
12012 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
12013 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
12014 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
12015
12016 @smallexample
12017 (@value{GDBP}) list main
12018 3
12019 4 #define M 42
12020 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12021 6
12022 7 main ()
12023 8 @{
12024 9 #define N 28
12025 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12026 11 #undef N
12027 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12028 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
12029 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
12030 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12031 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
12032 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
12033 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
12034 #define Q <
12035 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
12036 expands to: (42 + 1)
12037 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
12038 expands to: once (M + 1)
12039 (@value{GDBP})
12040 @end smallexample
12041
12042 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
12043 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
12044 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
12045 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
12046
12047 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
12048 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
12049
12050 @smallexample
12051 (@value{GDBP}) break main
12052 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
12053 (@value{GDBP}) run
12054 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
12055
12056 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
12057 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12058 (@value{GDBP})
12059 @end smallexample
12060
12061 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
12062
12063 @smallexample
12064 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12065 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
12066 #define N 28
12067 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12068 expands to: 28 < 42
12069 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12070 $1 = 1
12071 (@value{GDBP})
12072 @end smallexample
12073
12074 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
12075 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
12076 thereof) in force at each point:
12077
12078 @smallexample
12079 (@value{GDBP}) next
12080 Hello, world!
12081 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12082 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12083 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
12084 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
12085 (@value{GDBP}) next
12086 We're so creative.
12087 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
12088 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12089 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
12090 #define N 1729
12091 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12092 expands to: 1729 < 42
12093 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12094 $2 = 0
12095 (@value{GDBP})
12096 @end smallexample
12097
12098 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
12099 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
12100 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
12101 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
12102
12103 @smallexample
12104 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
12105 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
12106 -D__STDC__=1
12107 (@value{GDBP})
12108 @end smallexample
12109
12110
12111 @node Tracepoints
12112 @chapter Tracepoints
12113 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
12114 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
12115
12116 @cindex tracepoints
12117 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
12118 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
12119 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
12120 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
12121 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
12122 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
12123 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
12124
12125 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
12126 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
12127 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
12128 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
12129 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
12130 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
12131 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
12132 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
12133 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
12134 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
12135 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
12136
12137 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
12138 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
12139 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
12140 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
12141 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
12142 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
12143 Packets}.
12144
12145 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
12146 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
12147 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
12148
12149 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
12150
12151 @menu
12152 * Set Tracepoints::
12153 * Analyze Collected Data::
12154 * Tracepoint Variables::
12155 * Trace Files::
12156 @end menu
12157
12158 @node Set Tracepoints
12159 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
12160
12161 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
12162 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
12163 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
12164 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
12165 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
12166 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
12167 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
12168
12169 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
12170 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
12171 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
12172 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
12173 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
12174 tracepoint was hit.
12175
12176 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
12177 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
12178 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
12179 either.
12180
12181 @cindex fast tracepoints
12182 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
12183 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
12184 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
12185
12186 @cindex static tracepoints
12187 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
12188 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
12189 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
12190 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
12191 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
12192 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
12193 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
12194 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
12195 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
12196 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
12197 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
12198 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
12199 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
12200 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
12201 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
12202 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
12203 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
12204 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
12205 static tracepoint marker.
12206
12207 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
12208 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
12209
12210 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
12211 conditions and actions.
12212
12213 @menu
12214 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
12215 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
12216 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
12217 * Tracepoint Conditions::
12218 * Trace State Variables::
12219 * Tracepoint Actions::
12220 * Listing Tracepoints::
12221 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
12222 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
12223 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
12224 @end menu
12225
12226 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
12227 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
12228
12229 @table @code
12230 @cindex set tracepoint
12231 @kindex trace
12232 @item trace @var{location}
12233 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
12234 Its argument @var{location} can be any valid location.
12235 @xref{Specify Location}. The @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint,
12236 which is a point in the target program where the debugger will briefly stop,
12237 collect some data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint
12238 or changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
12239 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
12240 in tracing}).
12241 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
12242 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
12243 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
12244 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
12245 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
12246 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
12247 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
12248 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
12249 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
12250 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
12251 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
12252 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
12253
12254 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
12255
12256 @smallexample
12257 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
12258
12259 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
12260
12261 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
12262
12263 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
12264
12265 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
12266 @end smallexample
12267
12268 @noindent
12269 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
12270
12271 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
12272 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
12273 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
12274 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
12275 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
12276 information on tracepoint conditions.
12277
12278 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
12279 @cindex set fast tracepoint
12280 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
12281 @kindex ftrace
12282 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
12283 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
12284 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
12285 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
12286 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
12287 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
12288 message.
12289
12290 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
12291 @code{trace}.
12292
12293 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
12294 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
12295 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
12296 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
12297 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
12298 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
12299 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
12300 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
12301
12302 @example
12303 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
12304 @end example
12305
12306 @noindent
12307 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
12308 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
12309
12310 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
12311 @cindex set static tracepoint
12312 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
12313 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
12314 @kindex strace
12315 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
12316 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
12317 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
12318 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
12319 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
12320
12321 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
12322 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
12323 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
12324 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
12325 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
12326 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
12327 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
12328 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
12329 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
12330 tracing engine:
12331
12332 @smallexample
12333 main ()
12334 @{
12335 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
12336 @}
12337 @end smallexample
12338
12339 @noindent
12340 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
12341 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
12342
12343 @smallexample
12344 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12345 Cnt Enb ID Address What
12346 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
12347 Data: "str %s"
12348 [etc...]
12349 @end smallexample
12350
12351 @noindent
12352 so you may probe the marker above with:
12353
12354 @smallexample
12355 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
12356 @end smallexample
12357
12358 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
12359 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
12360 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
12361 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
12362 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
12363 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
12364 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
12365 the @samp{Data:} field.
12366
12367 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
12368 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
12369 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
12370
12371 @vindex $tpnum
12372 @cindex last tracepoint number
12373 @cindex recent tracepoint number
12374 @cindex tracepoint number
12375 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
12376 of the most recently set tracepoint.
12377
12378 @kindex delete tracepoint
12379 @cindex tracepoint deletion
12380 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12381 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
12382 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
12383 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
12384
12385 Examples:
12386
12387 @smallexample
12388 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
12389
12390 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
12391 @end smallexample
12392
12393 @noindent
12394 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
12395 @end table
12396
12397 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12398 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12399
12400 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
12401
12402 @table @code
12403 @kindex disable tracepoint
12404 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12405 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
12406 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
12407 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
12408 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
12409 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
12410 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
12411 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
12412 next trace experiment.
12413
12414 @kindex enable tracepoint
12415 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12416 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
12417 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
12418 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
12419 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
12420 next time a trace experiment is run.
12421 @end table
12422
12423 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
12424 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
12425
12426 @table @code
12427 @kindex passcount
12428 @cindex tracepoint pass count
12429 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
12430 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
12431 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
12432 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
12433 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
12434 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
12435 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
12436 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
12437 user.
12438
12439 Examples:
12440
12441 @smallexample
12442 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
12443 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
12444
12445 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
12446 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
12447 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12448 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
12449 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
12450 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
12451 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
12452 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
12453 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
12454 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
12455 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
12456 @end smallexample
12457 @end table
12458
12459 @node Tracepoint Conditions
12460 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
12461 @cindex conditional tracepoints
12462 @cindex tracepoint conditions
12463
12464 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
12465 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
12466 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
12467 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
12468 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
12469 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
12470 is true.
12471
12472 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
12473 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
12474 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
12475 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
12476 just as with breakpoints.
12477
12478 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
12479 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
12480 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
12481 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
12482 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
12483 accesses, and so forth.
12484
12485 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
12486 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
12487 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
12488 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
12489 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
12490 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
12491 search through.
12492
12493 @smallexample
12494 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
12495 @end smallexample
12496
12497 @node Trace State Variables
12498 @subsection Trace State Variables
12499 @cindex trace state variables
12500
12501 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
12502 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
12503 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
12504 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
12505 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
12506 integers.
12507
12508 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
12509 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
12510 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
12511 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
12512
12513 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
12514 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
12515 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
12516 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
12517 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
12518 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
12519 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
12520 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
12521 variable with the same name.
12522
12523 @table @code
12524
12525 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
12526 @kindex tvariable
12527 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
12528 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
12529 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
12530 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
12531 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
12532 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
12533 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
12534 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
12535 value. The default initial value is 0.
12536
12537 @item info tvariables
12538 @kindex info tvariables
12539 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
12540 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
12541 currently running.
12542
12543 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
12544 @kindex delete tvariable
12545 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
12546 are specified.
12547
12548 @end table
12549
12550 @node Tracepoint Actions
12551 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
12552
12553 @table @code
12554 @kindex actions
12555 @cindex tracepoint actions
12556 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12557 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
12558 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
12559 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
12560 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
12561 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
12562 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
12563 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
12564 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
12565 @code{while-stepping}.
12566
12567 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
12568 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
12569 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
12570
12571 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
12572 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
12573 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
12574
12575 @smallexample
12576 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
12577
12578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
12579
12580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
12581 @end smallexample
12582
12583 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
12584 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
12585 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
12586 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
12587 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
12588 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
12589 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
12590 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
12591
12592 @smallexample
12593 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12594 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12595 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
12596 > collect bar,baz
12597 > collect $regs
12598 > while-stepping 12
12599 > collect $pc, arr[i]
12600 > end
12601 end
12602 @end smallexample
12603
12604 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
12605 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12606 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
12607 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
12608 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
12609 special arguments are supported:
12610
12611 @table @code
12612 @item $regs
12613 Collect all registers.
12614
12615 @item $args
12616 Collect all function arguments.
12617
12618 @item $locals
12619 Collect all local variables.
12620
12621 @item $_ret
12622 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
12623 of a backtrace.
12624
12625 @item $_probe_argc
12626 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
12627 tracepoint is located.
12628 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
12629
12630 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
12631 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
12632 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
12633 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
12634
12635 @item $_sdata
12636 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
12637 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
12638 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
12639 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
12640 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
12641 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
12642 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
12643 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
12644 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
12645
12646 @smallexample
12647 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
12648 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
12649 @end smallexample
12650
12651 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
12652 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
12653 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
12654 @value{GDBN}.
12655 @end table
12656
12657 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
12658 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
12659 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
12660
12661 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
12662 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
12663 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
12664 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
12665 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
12666 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
12667 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
12668 @samp{mystr}.
12669
12670 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
12671 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
12672
12673 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
12674 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12675 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
12676 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
12677 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
12678 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
12679 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
12680 action were used.
12681
12682 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
12683 @item while-stepping @var{n}
12684 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
12685 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
12686 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
12687 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
12688
12689 @smallexample
12690 > while-stepping 12
12691 > collect $regs, myglobal
12692 > end
12693 >
12694 @end smallexample
12695
12696 @noindent
12697 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
12698 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
12699 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
12700 @code{stepping}.
12701
12702 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12703 @kindex set default-collect
12704 @cindex default collection action
12705 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
12706 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
12707 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
12708 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
12709 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
12710 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
12711
12712 @item show default-collect
12713 @kindex show default-collect
12714 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
12715 tracepoint hit.
12716
12717 @end table
12718
12719 @node Listing Tracepoints
12720 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
12721
12722 @table @code
12723 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12724 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12725 @cindex information about tracepoints
12726 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
12727 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
12728 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
12729 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
12730 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
12731 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
12732
12733 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
12734 tracing:
12735
12736 @itemize @bullet
12737 @item
12738 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
12739
12740 @item
12741 the state about installed on target of each location
12742 @end itemize
12743
12744 @smallexample
12745 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
12746 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
12747 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
12748 while-stepping 20
12749 collect globfoo, $regs
12750 end
12751 collect globfoo2
12752 end
12753 pass count 1200
12754 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
12755 collect $eip
12756 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12757 installed on target
12758 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12759 installed on target
12760 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
12761 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
12762 not installed on target
12763 (@value{GDBP})
12764 @end smallexample
12765
12766 @noindent
12767 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
12768 @end table
12769
12770 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12771 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12772
12773 @table @code
12774 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
12775 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
12776 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
12777 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
12778 program.
12779
12780 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
12781
12782 @table @emph
12783 @item Count
12784 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
12785 stable identifier.
12786 @item ID
12787 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
12788 @item Enabled or Disabled
12789 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
12790 that are not enabled.
12791 @item Address
12792 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
12793 @item What
12794 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
12795 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
12796 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
12797 will be left blank.
12798 @end table
12799
12800 @noindent
12801 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
12802
12803 @table @emph
12804 @item Data
12805 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
12806 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
12807 marker call.
12808 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
12809 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
12810 @end table
12811
12812 @smallexample
12813 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12814 Cnt ID Enb Address What
12815 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
12816 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
12817 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
12818 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
12819 Data: str %s
12820 (@value{GDBP})
12821 @end smallexample
12822 @end table
12823
12824 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12825 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12826
12827 @table @code
12828 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
12829 @cindex start a new trace experiment
12830 @cindex collected data discarded
12831 @item tstart
12832 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
12833 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
12834 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
12835 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
12836 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
12837 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
12838 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
12839 information, and so forth.
12840
12841 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
12842 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
12843 @item tstop
12844 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
12845 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
12846 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
12847 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
12848 needs to be stopped quickly.
12849
12850 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
12851 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
12852 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
12853
12854 @kindex tstatus
12855 @cindex status of trace data collection
12856 @cindex trace experiment, status of
12857 @item tstatus
12858 This command displays the status of the current trace data
12859 collection.
12860 @end table
12861
12862 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12863
12864 @smallexample
12865 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12867 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12868 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
12869 > while-stepping 11
12870 > collect $regs
12871 > end
12872 > end
12873 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12874 [time passes @dots{}]
12875 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12876 @end smallexample
12877
12878 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12879 @cindex disconnected tracing
12880 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12881 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12882 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12883 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12884 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12885 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12886 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12887 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12888
12889 @table @code
12890 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12891 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12892 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12893 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12894 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12895 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12896 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12897 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12898
12899 @item show disconnected-tracing
12900 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12901 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12902
12903 @end table
12904
12905 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12906 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12907 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12908 it will continue after reconnection.
12909
12910 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12911 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12912 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12913 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12914 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12915 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12916 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12917 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12918 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12919 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12920
12921 @cindex circular trace buffer
12922 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12923 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12924 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12925 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12926 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12927 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12928 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12929 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12930 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12931 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12932 the next run.
12933
12934 @table @code
12935 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12936 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12937 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12938 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12939 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12940 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12941 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12942
12943 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12944 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12945 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12946 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12947 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12948 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12949
12950 @end table
12951
12952 @table @code
12953 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12954 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12955 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12956 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12957 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12958 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12959 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12960 likes. This is also the default.
12961
12962 @item show trace-buffer-size
12963 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12964 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12965 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12966 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12967 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12968 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12969 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12970 @end table
12971
12972 @table @code
12973 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12974 @kindex set trace-user
12975
12976 @item show trace-user
12977 @kindex show trace-user
12978
12979 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12980 @kindex set trace-notes
12981 Set the trace run's notes.
12982
12983 @item show trace-notes
12984 @kindex show trace-notes
12985 Show the trace run's notes.
12986
12987 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12988 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
12989 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12990 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12991 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12992
12993 @item show trace-stop-notes
12994 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
12995 Show the trace run's stop notes.
12996
12997 @end table
12998
12999 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
13000 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
13001
13002 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
13003 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
13004 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
13005 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
13006 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
13007 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
13008 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
13009 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
13010 mentioned here.
13011
13012 @itemize @bullet
13013
13014 @item
13015 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
13016 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
13017 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
13018 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
13019 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
13020 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
13021 cannot be collected either.
13022
13023 @item
13024 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
13025 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
13026 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
13027 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
13028 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
13029 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
13030 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
13031 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
13032 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
13033 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
13034
13035 @item
13036 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
13037 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
13038 in a misleading way.
13039
13040 @item
13041 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
13042 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
13043 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
13044 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
13045 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
13046 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
13047 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
13048 by @code{ptr}.
13049
13050 @item
13051 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
13052 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
13053 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
13054 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
13055 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
13056 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
13057 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
13058 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
13059 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
13060 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
13061 invalid address.
13062
13063 @item
13064 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
13065 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
13066 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
13067 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
13068 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
13069 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
13070 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
13071 it to zero.
13072
13073 @end itemize
13074
13075 @node Analyze Collected Data
13076 @section Using the Collected Data
13077
13078 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
13079 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
13080 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
13081 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
13082 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
13083 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
13084 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
13085 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
13086 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
13087 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
13088 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
13089 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
13090 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
13091 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
13092 the buffer will fail.
13093
13094 @menu
13095 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
13096 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
13097 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
13098 @end menu
13099
13100 @node tfind
13101 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
13102
13103 @kindex tfind
13104 @cindex select trace snapshot
13105 @cindex find trace snapshot
13106 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
13107 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
13108 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
13109 snapshot is selected.
13110
13111 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
13112
13113 @table @code
13114 @item tfind start
13115 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
13116 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
13117
13118 @item tfind none
13119 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
13120
13121 @item tfind end
13122 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
13123
13124 @item tfind
13125 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
13126
13127 @item tfind -
13128 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
13129 retracing earlier steps.
13130
13131 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
13132 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
13133 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
13134 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
13135 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
13136
13137 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
13138 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
13139 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
13140 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
13141 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
13142
13143 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13144 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
13145 addresses (exclusive).
13146
13147 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13148 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
13149 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
13150
13151 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
13152 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
13153 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
13154 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
13155 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
13156 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
13157 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
13158 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
13159 @end table
13160
13161 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
13162 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
13163 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
13164 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
13165 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
13166 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
13167 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
13168 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
13169 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
13170 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
13171 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
13172 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
13173 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
13174 tracepoint as the current one.
13175
13176 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
13177 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
13178 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
13179 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
13180 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
13181
13182 @smallexample
13183 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13184 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13185 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
13186 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
13187 > tfind
13188 > end
13189
13190 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
13191 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
13192 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
13193 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
13194 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
13195 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
13196 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
13197 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
13198 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
13199 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
13200 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
13201 @end smallexample
13202
13203 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
13204 the buffer:
13205
13206 @smallexample
13207 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13208 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13209 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
13210 > tfind line
13211 > end
13212
13213 Frame 0, X = 1
13214 Frame 7, X = 2
13215 Frame 13, X = 255
13216 @end smallexample
13217
13218 @node tdump
13219 @subsection @code{tdump}
13220 @kindex tdump
13221 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
13222 @cindex tracepoint data, display
13223
13224 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
13225 the current trace snapshot.
13226
13227 @smallexample
13228 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
13229 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13230 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
13231 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
13232 > end
13233
13234 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
13235
13236 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
13237 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
13238 at gdb_test.c:444
13239 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
13240
13241 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
13242 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
13243 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
13244 d1 0x18 24
13245 d2 0x80 128
13246 d3 0x33 51
13247 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
13248 d5 0x22 34
13249 d6 0xe0 224
13250 d7 0x380035 3670069
13251 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
13252 a1 0x3000668 50333288
13253 a2 0x100 256
13254 a3 0x322000 3284992
13255 a4 0x3000698 50333336
13256 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
13257 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
13258 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
13259 ps 0x0 0
13260 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
13261 fpcontrol 0x0 0
13262 fpstatus 0x0 0
13263 fpiaddr 0x0 0
13264 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
13265 p1 = (void *) 0x11
13266 p2 = (void *) 0x22
13267 p3 = (void *) 0x33
13268 p4 = (void *) 0x44
13269 p5 = (void *) 0x55
13270 p6 = (void *) 0x66
13271 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
13272
13273 (@value{GDBP})
13274 @end smallexample
13275
13276 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
13277 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
13278 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
13279 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
13280
13281 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
13282 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
13283 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
13284 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
13285 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
13286 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
13287 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
13288 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
13289 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
13290 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
13291
13292 @node save tracepoints
13293 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
13294 @kindex save tracepoints
13295 @kindex save-tracepoints
13296 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
13297
13298 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
13299 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
13300 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
13301 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
13302 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
13303 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
13304
13305 @node Tracepoint Variables
13306 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
13307 @cindex tracepoint variables
13308 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
13309
13310 @table @code
13311 @vindex $trace_frame
13312 @item (int) $trace_frame
13313 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
13314 snapshot is selected.
13315
13316 @vindex $tracepoint
13317 @item (int) $tracepoint
13318 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
13319
13320 @vindex $trace_line
13321 @item (int) $trace_line
13322 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
13323
13324 @vindex $trace_file
13325 @item (char []) $trace_file
13326 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
13327
13328 @vindex $trace_func
13329 @item (char []) $trace_func
13330 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
13331 @end table
13332
13333 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
13334 use @code{output} instead.
13335
13336 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
13337 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
13338 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
13339 which are managed by the target.
13340
13341 @smallexample
13342 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13343
13344 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
13345 > output $trace_file
13346 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
13347 > tfind
13348 > end
13349 @end smallexample
13350
13351 @node Trace Files
13352 @section Using Trace Files
13353 @cindex trace files
13354
13355 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
13356 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
13357 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
13358 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
13359 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
13360
13361 @table @code
13362
13363 @kindex tsave
13364 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
13365 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
13366 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
13367 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
13368 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
13369 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
13370 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
13371 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
13372 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
13373 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
13374 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
13375 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
13376 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
13377 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
13378 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
13379
13380 @kindex target tfile
13381 @kindex tfile
13382 @kindex target ctf
13383 @kindex ctf
13384 @item target tfile @var{filename}
13385 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
13386 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
13387 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
13388 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
13389 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
13390 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
13391 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
13392 the host.
13393
13394 @smallexample
13395 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
13396 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
13397 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
13398 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
13399 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
13400 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
13401 i = 0
13402 a = 0
13403 b = 1 '\001'
13404 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
13405 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
13406 (@value{GDBP}) p b
13407 $1 = 1
13408 @end smallexample
13409
13410 @end table
13411
13412 @node Overlays
13413 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
13414 @cindex overlays
13415
13416 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
13417 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
13418 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
13419 use overlays.
13420
13421 @menu
13422 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
13423 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
13424 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
13425 mapped by asking the inferior.
13426 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
13427 @end menu
13428
13429 @node How Overlays Work
13430 @section How Overlays Work
13431 @cindex mapped overlays
13432 @cindex unmapped overlays
13433 @cindex load address, overlay's
13434 @cindex mapped address
13435 @cindex overlay area
13436
13437 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
13438 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
13439 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
13440 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
13441 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
13442
13443 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
13444 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
13445 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
13446 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
13447 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
13448 largest overlay as well.
13449
13450 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
13451 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
13452 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
13453 there.
13454
13455 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
13456 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
13457 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
13458
13459 @smallexample
13460 @group
13461 Data Instruction Larger
13462 Address Space Address Space Address Space
13463 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
13464 | | | | | |
13465 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
13466 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
13467 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
13468 | and heap | | | | | |
13469 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
13470 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
13471 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
13472 | | | | | |
13473 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
13474 address | | | | | |
13475 | overlay | <-' | | |
13476 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
13477 | | <---. | | load address
13478 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
13479 | | | |
13480 +-----------+ | |
13481 +-----------+
13482 | |
13483 +-----------+
13484
13485 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
13486 @end group
13487 @end smallexample
13488
13489 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
13490 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
13491 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
13492 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
13493 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
13494 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
13495 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
13496 program and the overlay area.
13497
13498 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
13499 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
13500 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
13501 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
13502 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
13503 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
13504 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
13505
13506 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
13507 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
13508 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
13509
13510 @itemize @bullet
13511
13512 @item
13513 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
13514 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
13515 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
13516 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
13517
13518 @item
13519 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
13520 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
13521 your program's performance.
13522
13523 @item
13524 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
13525 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
13526 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
13527 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
13528 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
13529 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
13530 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
13531
13532 @item
13533 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
13534 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
13535 instruction and data spaces.
13536
13537 @end itemize
13538
13539 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
13540 improved in many ways:
13541
13542 @itemize @bullet
13543
13544 @item
13545 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
13546 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
13547 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
13548 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
13549 area in the usual way.
13550
13551 @item
13552 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
13553 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
13554
13555 @item
13556 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
13557 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
13558 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
13559 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
13560 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
13561 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
13562 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
13563
13564 @end itemize
13565
13566
13567 @node Overlay Commands
13568 @section Overlay Commands
13569
13570 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
13571 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
13572 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
13573 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
13574 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
13575 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
13576
13577 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
13578 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
13579
13580 @table @code
13581 @item overlay off
13582 @kindex overlay
13583 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
13584 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
13585 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
13586 overlay support is disabled.
13587
13588 @item overlay manual
13589 @cindex manual overlay debugging
13590 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13591 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
13592 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
13593 commands described below.
13594
13595 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
13596 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
13597 @cindex map an overlay
13598 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
13599 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
13600 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
13601 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
13602 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
13603 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
13604
13605 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
13606 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
13607 @cindex unmap an overlay
13608 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
13609 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
13610 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
13611 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
13612
13613 @item overlay auto
13614 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13615 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
13616 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
13617 Overlay Debugging}.
13618
13619 @item overlay load-target
13620 @itemx overlay load
13621 @cindex reloading the overlay table
13622 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
13623 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
13624 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
13625 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
13626 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
13627
13628 @item overlay list-overlays
13629 @itemx overlay list
13630 @cindex listing mapped overlays
13631 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
13632 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
13633
13634 @end table
13635
13636 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
13637 of the function the address falls in:
13638
13639 @smallexample
13640 (@value{GDBP}) print main
13641 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
13642 @end smallexample
13643 @noindent
13644 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
13645 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
13646 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
13647 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
13648
13649 @smallexample
13650 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13651 No sections are mapped.
13652 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
13653 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
13654 @end smallexample
13655 @noindent
13656 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
13657 name normally:
13658
13659 @smallexample
13660 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13661 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
13662 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
13663 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
13664 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
13665 @end smallexample
13666
13667 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
13668 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
13669 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
13670 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
13671 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
13672
13673 @itemize @bullet
13674 @item
13675 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
13676 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
13677 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
13678 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
13679 @item
13680 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
13681 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
13682 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
13683 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
13684 breakpoints properly.
13685 @end itemize
13686
13687
13688 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
13689 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
13690 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
13691
13692 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
13693 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
13694 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
13695 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
13696 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
13697 current state of the overlays.
13698
13699 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
13700 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
13701
13702 @table @asis
13703
13704 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
13705 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
13706
13707 @smallexample
13708 struct
13709 @{
13710 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
13711 unsigned long vma;
13712
13713 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
13714 unsigned long size;
13715
13716 /* The overlay's load address. */
13717 unsigned long lma;
13718
13719 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
13720 zero otherwise. */
13721 unsigned long mapped;
13722 @}
13723 @end smallexample
13724
13725 @item @code{_novlys}:
13726 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
13727 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
13728
13729 @end table
13730
13731 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
13732 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
13733 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
13734 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
13735 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
13736 currently mapped.
13737
13738 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
13739 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
13740 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
13741 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
13742 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
13743 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
13744 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
13745 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
13746 are not being executed.
13747
13748 @node Overlay Sample Program
13749 @section Overlay Sample Program
13750 @cindex overlay example program
13751
13752 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
13753 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
13754 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
13755 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
13756 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
13757 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
13758 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
13759
13760 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
13761 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
13762 suite. The program consists of the following files from
13763 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
13764
13765 @table @file
13766 @item overlays.c
13767 The main program file.
13768 @item ovlymgr.c
13769 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
13770 @item foo.c
13771 @itemx bar.c
13772 @itemx baz.c
13773 @itemx grbx.c
13774 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
13775 @item d10v.ld
13776 @itemx m32r.ld
13777 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
13778 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
13779 @end table
13780
13781 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
13782 cross-compiler like this:
13783
13784 @smallexample
13785 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
13786 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
13787 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
13788 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
13789 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
13790 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
13791 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
13792 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
13793 @end smallexample
13794
13795 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
13796 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
13797 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
13798
13799
13800 @node Languages
13801 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
13802 @cindex languages
13803
13804 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
13805 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
13806 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
13807 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
13808 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
13809 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
13810
13811 @cindex working language
13812 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
13813 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
13814 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
13815 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
13816 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
13817 language}.
13818
13819 @menu
13820 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
13821 * Show:: Displaying the language
13822 * Checks:: Type and range checks
13823 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
13824 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
13825 @end menu
13826
13827 @node Setting
13828 @section Switching Between Source Languages
13829
13830 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
13831 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
13832 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
13833 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
13834 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
13835 are printed, etc.
13836
13837 In addition to the working language, every source file that
13838 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
13839 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
13840 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
13841 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
13842 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
13843 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
13844 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
13845 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
13846 Displaying the Language}.
13847
13848 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
13849 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
13850 another language. In that case, make the
13851 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
13852 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
13853 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
13854
13855 @menu
13856 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
13857 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
13858 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
13859 @end menu
13860
13861 @node Filenames
13862 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13863
13864 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13865 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13866
13867 @table @file
13868 @item .ada
13869 @itemx .ads
13870 @itemx .adb
13871 @itemx .a
13872 Ada source file.
13873
13874 @item .c
13875 C source file
13876
13877 @item .C
13878 @itemx .cc
13879 @itemx .cp
13880 @itemx .cpp
13881 @itemx .cxx
13882 @itemx .c++
13883 C@t{++} source file
13884
13885 @item .d
13886 D source file
13887
13888 @item .m
13889 Objective-C source file
13890
13891 @item .f
13892 @itemx .F
13893 Fortran source file
13894
13895 @item .mod
13896 Modula-2 source file
13897
13898 @item .s
13899 @itemx .S
13900 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13901 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13902 @end table
13903
13904 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13905 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13906
13907 @node Manually
13908 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13909
13910 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13911 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13912 your program.
13913
13914 @kindex set language
13915 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13916 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13917 a language, such as
13918 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13919 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13920
13921 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13922 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13923 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13924 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13925 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13926 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13927 command such as:
13928
13929 @smallexample
13930 print a = b + c
13931 @end smallexample
13932
13933 @noindent
13934 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13935 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13936 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13937 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13938
13939 @node Automatically
13940 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13941
13942 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13943 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13944 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13945 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13946 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13947 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13948 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13949 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13950 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13951
13952 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13953 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13954 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13955 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13956 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13957
13958 @node Show
13959 @section Displaying the Language
13960
13961 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13962 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13963
13964 @table @code
13965 @item show language
13966 @anchor{show language}
13967 @kindex show language
13968 Display the current working language. This is the
13969 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13970 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13971
13972 @item info frame
13973 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13974 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13975 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13976 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13977 information listed here.
13978
13979 @item info source
13980 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13981 Display the source language of this source file.
13982 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13983 information listed here.
13984 @end table
13985
13986 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13987 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13988 with a language explicitly:
13989
13990 @table @code
13991 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13992 @kindex set extension-language
13993 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13994 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13995
13996 @item info extensions
13997 @kindex info extensions
13998 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13999 @end table
14000
14001 @node Checks
14002 @section Type and Range Checking
14003
14004 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
14005 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
14006 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
14007 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
14008 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
14009 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
14010 errors when your program is running.
14011
14012 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
14013 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
14014 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
14015 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
14016
14017 @menu
14018 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
14019 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
14020 @end menu
14021
14022 @cindex type checking
14023 @cindex checks, type
14024 @node Type Checking
14025 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
14026
14027 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
14028 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
14029 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
14030 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
14031
14032 @smallexample
14033 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
14034
14035 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
14036 $1 = 2
14037 @exdent but
14038 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
14039 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
14040 @end smallexample
14041
14042 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
14043 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
14044
14045 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14046 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
14047 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
14048 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
14049 expressions like the second example above.
14050
14051 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
14052 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
14053 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
14054 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
14055 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
14056 little sense to evaluate anyway.
14057
14058 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
14059
14060 @kindex set check type
14061 @kindex show check type
14062 @table @code
14063 @item set check type on
14064 @itemx set check type off
14065 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
14066 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
14067 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
14068
14069 @item show check type
14070 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
14071 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
14072 @end table
14073
14074 @cindex range checking
14075 @cindex checks, range
14076 @node Range Checking
14077 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
14078
14079 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
14080 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
14081 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
14082 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
14083 not exceed the bounds of the array.
14084
14085 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14086 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
14087 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
14088 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
14089
14090 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
14091 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
14092 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
14093 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
14094 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
14095 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
14096
14097 @smallexample
14098 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
14099 @end smallexample
14100
14101 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
14102 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
14103 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
14104
14105 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
14106
14107 @kindex set check range
14108 @kindex show check range
14109 @table @code
14110 @item set check range auto
14111 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
14112 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
14113 each language.
14114
14115 @item set check range on
14116 @itemx set check range off
14117 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
14118 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
14119 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
14120 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
14121
14122 @item set check range warn
14123 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
14124 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
14125 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
14126 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
14127 systems).
14128
14129 @item show range
14130 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
14131 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
14132 @end table
14133
14134 @node Supported Languages
14135 @section Supported Languages
14136
14137 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
14138 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
14139 @c This is false ...
14140 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
14141 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
14142 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
14143 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
14144 language.
14145
14146 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
14147 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
14148 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
14149 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
14150 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
14151 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
14152 language reference or tutorial.
14153
14154 @menu
14155 * C:: C and C@t{++}
14156 * D:: D
14157 * Go:: Go
14158 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
14159 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
14160 * Fortran:: Fortran
14161 * Pascal:: Pascal
14162 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
14163 * Ada:: Ada
14164 @end menu
14165
14166 @node C
14167 @subsection C and C@t{++}
14168
14169 @cindex C and C@t{++}
14170 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
14171
14172 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
14173 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
14174 together.
14175
14176 @cindex C@t{++}
14177 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
14178 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
14179 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
14180 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
14181 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
14182 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
14183 compiler (@code{aCC}).
14184
14185 @menu
14186 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
14187 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
14188 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
14189 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
14190 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
14191 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
14192 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
14193 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
14194 @end menu
14195
14196 @node C Operators
14197 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
14198
14199 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
14200
14201 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14202 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14203 often defined on groups of types.
14204
14205 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
14206
14207 @itemize @bullet
14208
14209 @item
14210 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
14211 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
14212
14213 @item
14214 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
14215 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
14216
14217 @item
14218 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
14219
14220 @item
14221 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
14222
14223 @end itemize
14224
14225 @noindent
14226 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
14227 in order of increasing precedence:
14228
14229 @table @code
14230 @item ,
14231 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
14232 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
14233 expression being the last expression evaluated.
14234
14235 @item =
14236 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
14237 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
14238
14239 @item @var{op}=
14240 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
14241 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
14242 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
14243 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
14244 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
14245
14246 @item ?:
14247 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
14248 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
14249 should be of an integral type.
14250
14251 @item ||
14252 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14253
14254 @item &&
14255 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
14256
14257 @item |
14258 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14259
14260 @item ^
14261 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14262
14263 @item &
14264 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
14265
14266 @item ==@r{, }!=
14267 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
14268 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
14269
14270 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
14271 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
14272 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
14273 and non-zero for true.
14274
14275 @item <<@r{, }>>
14276 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
14277
14278 @item @@
14279 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14280
14281 @item +@r{, }-
14282 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
14283 pointer types.
14284
14285 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
14286 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
14287 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
14288 integral types.
14289
14290 @item ++@r{, }--
14291 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
14292 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
14293 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
14294 operation takes place.
14295
14296 @item *
14297 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
14298 @code{++}.
14299
14300 @item &
14301 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
14302
14303 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
14304 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
14305 to examine the address
14306 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
14307 stored.
14308
14309 @item -
14310 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
14311 precedence as @code{++}.
14312
14313 @item !
14314 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
14315 @code{++}.
14316
14317 @item ~
14318 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
14319 @code{++}.
14320
14321
14322 @item .@r{, }->
14323 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
14324 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
14325 pointer based on the stored type information.
14326 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
14327
14328 @item .*@r{, }->*
14329 Dereferences of pointers to members.
14330
14331 @item []
14332 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
14333 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
14334
14335 @item ()
14336 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
14337
14338 @item ::
14339 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
14340 and @code{class} types.
14341
14342 @item ::
14343 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
14344 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
14345 above.
14346 @end table
14347
14348 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
14349 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
14350 predefined meaning.
14351
14352 @node C Constants
14353 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
14354
14355 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
14356
14357 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
14358 following ways:
14359
14360 @itemize @bullet
14361 @item
14362 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
14363 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
14364 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
14365 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
14366 @code{long} value.
14367
14368 @item
14369 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
14370 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
14371 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
14372 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
14373 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
14374 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
14375 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
14376 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
14377 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
14378 constant.
14379
14380 @item
14381 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
14382 integral equivalents.
14383
14384 @item
14385 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
14386 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
14387 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
14388 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
14389 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
14390 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
14391 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
14392 @samp{\n} for newline.
14393
14394 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
14395 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
14396 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
14397 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
14398
14399 @item
14400 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
14401 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
14402 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
14403 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
14404 characters.
14405
14406 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
14407 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
14408 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
14409
14410 @item
14411 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
14412 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
14413
14414 @item
14415 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
14416 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
14417 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
14418 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
14419 @end itemize
14420
14421 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
14422 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
14423
14424 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
14425 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
14426
14427 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
14428 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
14429 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
14430 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
14431 @quotation
14432 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
14433 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
14434 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
14435 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
14436 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
14437 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
14438 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
14439 code. @xref{Compilation}.
14440 @end quotation
14441
14442 @enumerate
14443
14444 @cindex member functions
14445 @item
14446 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
14447
14448 @smallexample
14449 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
14450 @end smallexample
14451
14452 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
14453 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
14454 @item
14455 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
14456 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
14457 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
14458 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
14459 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
14460
14461 @cindex call overloaded functions
14462 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
14463 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
14464 @item
14465 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
14466 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
14467 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
14468 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
14469 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
14470 default arguments.
14471
14472 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
14473 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
14474 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
14475 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
14476 number of function arguments.
14477
14478 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
14479 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
14480 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
14481
14482 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
14483 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
14484 @smallexample
14485 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
14486 @end smallexample
14487
14488 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
14489 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
14490
14491 @cindex reference declarations
14492 @item
14493 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
14494 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
14495 dereferenced.
14496
14497 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
14498 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
14499 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
14500 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
14501 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
14502
14503 @item
14504 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
14505 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
14506 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
14507 necessary, for example in an expression like
14508 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
14509 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
14510 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
14511
14512 @item
14513 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
14514 specification.
14515 @end enumerate
14516
14517 @node C Defaults
14518 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
14519
14520 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
14521
14522 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
14523 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
14524 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14525 selects the working language.
14526
14527 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
14528 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
14529 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
14530 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
14531 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
14532 for further details.
14533
14534 @node C Checks
14535 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
14536
14537 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
14538
14539 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
14540 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
14541 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
14542 constants to pointers.
14543
14544 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
14545 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
14546 that is not itself an array.
14547
14548 @node Debugging C
14549 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
14550
14551 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
14552 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
14553 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
14554 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
14555
14556 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
14557 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
14558 ,Expressions}.
14559
14560 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
14561 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
14562
14563 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
14564
14565 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
14566 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
14567
14568 @table @code
14569 @cindex break in overloaded functions
14570 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
14571 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
14572 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
14573 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
14574 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
14575
14576 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
14577 @item rbreak @var{regex}
14578 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
14579 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
14580 classes.
14581 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14582
14583 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
14584 @item catch throw
14585 @itemx catch rethrow
14586 @itemx catch catch
14587 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
14588 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
14589
14590 @cindex inheritance
14591 @item ptype @var{typename}
14592 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
14593 @var{typename}.
14594 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
14595
14596 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
14597 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
14598 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
14599 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
14600 multiple inheritance is in use.
14601
14602 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
14603 @item demangle @var{name}
14604 Demangle @var{name}.
14605 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
14606
14607 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
14608 @item set print demangle
14609 @itemx show print demangle
14610 @itemx set print asm-demangle
14611 @itemx show print asm-demangle
14612 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
14613 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
14614 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14615
14616 @item set print object
14617 @itemx show print object
14618 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
14619 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14620
14621 @item set print vtbl
14622 @itemx show print vtbl
14623 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
14624 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14625 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
14626 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
14627
14628 @kindex set overload-resolution
14629 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
14630 @item set overload-resolution on
14631 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
14632 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
14633 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
14634 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
14635 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
14636 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
14637
14638 @item set overload-resolution off
14639 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
14640 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14641 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
14642 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
14643 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14644 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
14645 argument types.
14646
14647 @kindex show overload-resolution
14648 @item show overload-resolution
14649 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
14650
14651 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
14652 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
14653 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
14654 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
14655 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
14656 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
14657 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
14658 @end table
14659
14660 @node Decimal Floating Point
14661 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
14662 @cindex decimal floating point format
14663
14664 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
14665 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
14666 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
14667 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
14668
14669 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
14670 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
14671 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
14672 configured target.
14673
14674 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
14675 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
14676 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
14677
14678 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
14679 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
14680 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
14681
14682 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
14683 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
14684 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
14685
14686 @node D
14687 @subsection D
14688
14689 @cindex D
14690 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
14691 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
14692 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
14693
14694 @node Go
14695 @subsection Go
14696
14697 @cindex Go (programming language)
14698 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
14699 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
14700
14701 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
14702
14703 @table @code
14704 @cindex current Go package
14705 @item The current Go package
14706 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
14707 specifying global variables and functions.
14708
14709 For example, given the program:
14710
14711 @example
14712 package main
14713 var myglob = "Shall we?"
14714 func main () @{
14715 // ...
14716 @}
14717 @end example
14718
14719 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
14720
14721 @example
14722 (gdb) p myglob
14723 (gdb) p main.myglob
14724 @end example
14725
14726 @cindex builtin Go types
14727 @item Builtin Go types
14728 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
14729 as a string.
14730
14731 @cindex builtin Go functions
14732 @item Builtin Go functions
14733 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
14734 function and handles it internally.
14735
14736 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
14737 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
14738 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
14739 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
14740 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
14741 @end table
14742
14743 @node Objective-C
14744 @subsection Objective-C
14745
14746 @cindex Objective-C
14747 This section provides information about some commands and command
14748 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
14749 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
14750 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
14751
14752 @menu
14753 * Method Names in Commands::
14754 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
14755 @end menu
14756
14757 @node Method Names in Commands
14758 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
14759
14760 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
14761 names as line specifications:
14762
14763 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
14764 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
14765 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
14766 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
14767 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
14768 @itemize
14769 @item @code{clear}
14770 @item @code{break}
14771 @item @code{info line}
14772 @item @code{jump}
14773 @item @code{list}
14774 @end itemize
14775
14776 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
14777
14778 @smallexample
14779 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
14780 @end smallexample
14781
14782 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
14783 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
14784 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
14785 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
14786 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
14787 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
14788 debugged, enter:
14789
14790 @smallexample
14791 break -[Fruit create]
14792 @end smallexample
14793
14794 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
14795 enter:
14796
14797 @smallexample
14798 list +[NSText initialize]
14799 @end smallexample
14800
14801 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
14802 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
14803 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
14804 is also possible to specify just a method name:
14805
14806 @smallexample
14807 break create
14808 @end smallexample
14809
14810 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
14811 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
14812 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
14813 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
14814 none apply.
14815
14816 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
14817 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
14818
14819 @smallexample
14820 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
14821 @end smallexample
14822
14823 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
14824 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
14825 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
14826 @kindex print-object
14827 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
14828
14829 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
14830
14831 @smallexample
14832 print -[@var{object} hash]
14833 @end smallexample
14834
14835 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
14836 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
14837 @noindent
14838 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
14839 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
14840 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
14841 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
14842 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
14843 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
14844
14845 @node OpenCL C
14846 @subsection OpenCL C
14847
14848 @cindex OpenCL C
14849 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
14850
14851 @menu
14852 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
14853 * OpenCL C Expressions::
14854 * OpenCL C Operators::
14855 @end menu
14856
14857 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
14858 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
14859
14860 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
14861 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
14862 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
14863 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
14864 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
14865
14866 @node OpenCL C Expressions
14867 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14868
14869 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14870 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14871 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14872 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14873
14874 @node OpenCL C Operators
14875 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14876
14877 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
14878 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14879 vector data types.
14880
14881 @node Fortran
14882 @subsection Fortran
14883 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14884
14885 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14886 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14887
14888 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14889 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14890 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14891 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14892 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14893 underscore.
14894
14895 @menu
14896 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14897 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14898 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14899 @end menu
14900
14901 @node Fortran Operators
14902 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14903
14904 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14905
14906 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14907 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14908 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14909
14910 @table @code
14911 @item **
14912 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14913 of the second one.
14914
14915 @item :
14916 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14917 represent a section of array.
14918
14919 @item %
14920 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14921 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14922 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14923 union type.
14924 @end table
14925
14926 @node Fortran Defaults
14927 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14928
14929 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14930
14931 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14932 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14933 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14934 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14935
14936 @node Special Fortran Commands
14937 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14938
14939 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14940
14941 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14942 such as displaying common blocks.
14943
14944 @table @code
14945 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14946 @kindex info common
14947 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14948 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14949 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14950 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14951 printed.
14952 @end table
14953
14954 @node Pascal
14955 @subsection Pascal
14956
14957 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14958 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14959 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14960 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14961 syntax.
14962
14963 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14964 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14965 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14966
14967 @node Modula-2
14968 @subsection Modula-2
14969
14970 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14971
14972 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14973 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14974 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14975 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14976 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14977 table.
14978
14979 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14980 @menu
14981 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14982 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14983 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14984 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14985 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14986 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14987 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14988 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14989 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14990 @end menu
14991
14992 @node M2 Operators
14993 @subsubsection Operators
14994 @cindex Modula-2 operators
14995
14996 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14997 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14998 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14999 following definitions hold:
15000
15001 @itemize @bullet
15002
15003 @item
15004 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
15005 their subranges.
15006
15007 @item
15008 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
15009
15010 @item
15011 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
15012
15013 @item
15014 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
15015 @var{type}}.
15016
15017 @item
15018 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
15019
15020 @item
15021 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
15022
15023 @item
15024 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
15025 @end itemize
15026
15027 @noindent
15028 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
15029 increasing precedence:
15030
15031 @table @code
15032 @item ,
15033 Function argument or array index separator.
15034
15035 @item :=
15036 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
15037 @var{value}.
15038
15039 @item <@r{, }>
15040 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
15041 types.
15042
15043 @item <=@r{, }>=
15044 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
15045 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
15046 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
15047
15048 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
15049 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
15050 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
15051 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
15052 comment character.
15053
15054 @item IN
15055 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
15056 Same precedence as @code{<}.
15057
15058 @item OR
15059 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15060
15061 @item AND@r{, }&
15062 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15063
15064 @item @@
15065 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15066
15067 @item +@r{, }-
15068 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
15069 and difference on set types.
15070
15071 @item *
15072 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
15073 on set types.
15074
15075 @item /
15076 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
15077 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
15078
15079 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
15080 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
15081 precedence as @code{*}.
15082
15083 @item -
15084 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
15085
15086 @item ^
15087 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
15088
15089 @item NOT
15090 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
15091 @code{^}.
15092
15093 @item .
15094 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
15095 precedence as @code{^}.
15096
15097 @item []
15098 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
15099
15100 @item ()
15101 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
15102 as @code{^}.
15103
15104 @item ::@r{, }.
15105 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
15106 @end table
15107
15108 @quotation
15109 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
15110 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
15111 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
15112 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
15113 @end quotation
15114
15115
15116 @node Built-In Func/Proc
15117 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
15118 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
15119
15120 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
15121 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
15122
15123 @table @var
15124
15125 @item a
15126 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
15127
15128 @item c
15129 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
15130
15131 @item i
15132 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
15133
15134 @item m
15135 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
15136 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
15137 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
15138
15139 @item n
15140 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
15141
15142 @item r
15143 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
15144
15145 @item t
15146 represents a type.
15147
15148 @item v
15149 represents a variable.
15150
15151 @item x
15152 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
15153 explanation of the function for details.
15154 @end table
15155
15156 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
15157
15158 @table @code
15159 @item ABS(@var{n})
15160 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
15161
15162 @item CAP(@var{c})
15163 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
15164 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
15165
15166 @item CHR(@var{i})
15167 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
15168
15169 @item DEC(@var{v})
15170 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
15171
15172 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
15173 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
15174 new value.
15175
15176 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
15177 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
15178 set.
15179
15180 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
15181 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
15182
15183 @item HIGH(@var{a})
15184 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
15185
15186 @item INC(@var{v})
15187 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
15188
15189 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
15190 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
15191 new value.
15192
15193 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
15194 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
15195 there. Returns the new set.
15196
15197 @item MAX(@var{t})
15198 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
15199
15200 @item MIN(@var{t})
15201 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
15202
15203 @item ODD(@var{i})
15204 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
15205
15206 @item ORD(@var{x})
15207 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
15208 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
15209 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
15210 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
15211
15212 @item SIZE(@var{x})
15213 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
15214 variable or a type.
15215
15216 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
15217 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
15218
15219 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
15220 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
15221 variable or a type.
15222
15223 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
15224 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
15225 @end table
15226
15227 @quotation
15228 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
15229 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
15230 an error.
15231 @end quotation
15232
15233 @cindex Modula-2 constants
15234 @node M2 Constants
15235 @subsubsection Constants
15236
15237 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
15238 ways:
15239
15240 @itemize @bullet
15241
15242 @item
15243 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
15244 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
15245 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
15246 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
15247
15248 @item
15249 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
15250 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
15251 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
15252 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
15253 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
15254 digits.
15255
15256 @item
15257 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
15258 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
15259 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
15260 followed by a @samp{C}.
15261
15262 @item
15263 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
15264 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
15265 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
15266 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
15267 sequences.
15268
15269 @item
15270 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
15271
15272 @item
15273 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
15274 @code{FALSE}.
15275
15276 @item
15277 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
15278
15279 @item
15280 Set constants are not yet supported.
15281 @end itemize
15282
15283 @node M2 Types
15284 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
15285 @cindex Modula-2 types
15286
15287 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
15288 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
15289 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
15290 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
15291 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
15292 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
15293
15294 The first example contains the following section of code:
15295
15296 @smallexample
15297 VAR
15298 s: SET OF CHAR ;
15299 r: [20..40] ;
15300 @end smallexample
15301
15302 @noindent
15303 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
15304 @code{r} and @code{s}.
15305
15306 @smallexample
15307 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15308 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
15309 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15310 SET OF CHAR
15311 (@value{GDBP}) print r
15312 21
15313 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
15314 [20..40]
15315 @end smallexample
15316
15317 @noindent
15318 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
15319
15320 @smallexample
15321 VAR
15322 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
15323 @end smallexample
15324
15325 @noindent
15326 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
15327
15328 @smallexample
15329 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15330 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
15331 @end smallexample
15332
15333 @noindent
15334 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
15335 expressions using the debugger.
15336
15337 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
15338 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
15339
15340 @smallexample
15341 VAR
15342 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
15343 @end smallexample
15344
15345 @smallexample
15346 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15347 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
15348 @end smallexample
15349
15350 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
15351 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
15352 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
15353 above.
15354
15355 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
15356
15357 @smallexample
15358 TYPE
15359 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
15360 t = [blue..yellow] ;
15361 VAR
15362 s: t ;
15363 BEGIN
15364 s := blue ;
15365 @end smallexample
15366
15367 @noindent
15368 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
15369 and value of a variable.
15370
15371 @smallexample
15372 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15373 $1 = blue
15374 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
15375 type = [blue..yellow]
15376 @end smallexample
15377
15378 @noindent
15379 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
15380 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
15381 their @code{C} counterparts.
15382
15383 @smallexample
15384 VAR
15385 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
15386 BEGIN
15387 s[1] := 1 ;
15388 @end smallexample
15389
15390 @smallexample
15391 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15392 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
15393 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15394 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
15395 @end smallexample
15396
15397 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
15398 pointer types as shown in this example:
15399
15400 @smallexample
15401 VAR
15402 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
15403 BEGIN
15404 NEW(s) ;
15405 s^[1] := 1 ;
15406 @end smallexample
15407
15408 @noindent
15409 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
15410
15411 @smallexample
15412 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15413 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
15414 @end smallexample
15415
15416 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
15417 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
15418 types:
15419
15420 @smallexample
15421 TYPE
15422 foo = RECORD
15423 f1: CARDINAL ;
15424 f2: CHAR ;
15425 f3: myarray ;
15426 END ;
15427
15428 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
15429 myrange = [-2..2] ;
15430 VAR
15431 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
15432 @end smallexample
15433
15434 @noindent
15435 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
15436 below.
15437
15438 @smallexample
15439 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15440 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
15441 f1 : CARDINAL;
15442 f2 : CHAR;
15443 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
15444 END
15445 @end smallexample
15446
15447 @node M2 Defaults
15448 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
15449 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
15450
15451 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
15452 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
15453 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15454 selected the working language.
15455
15456 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
15457 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
15458 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
15459 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
15460
15461 @node Deviations
15462 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
15463 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
15464
15465 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
15466 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
15467
15468 @itemize @bullet
15469 @item
15470 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
15471 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
15472 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
15473 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
15474 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
15475 returned a pointer.)
15476
15477 @item
15478 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
15479 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
15480 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
15481 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
15482
15483 @item
15484 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
15485 argument.
15486
15487 @item
15488 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
15489 @end itemize
15490
15491 @node M2 Checks
15492 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
15493 @cindex Modula-2 checks
15494
15495 @quotation
15496 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
15497 range checking.
15498 @end quotation
15499 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
15500
15501 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
15502
15503 @itemize @bullet
15504 @item
15505 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
15506 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
15507
15508 @item
15509 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
15510 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
15511 @end itemize
15512
15513 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
15514 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
15515
15516 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
15517 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
15518
15519 @node M2 Scope
15520 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15521 @cindex scope
15522 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
15523 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
15524 @ifinfo
15525 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
15526 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
15527 @end ifinfo
15528 @ifnotinfo
15529 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
15530 @end ifnotinfo
15531
15532 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
15533 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
15534 similar syntax:
15535
15536 @smallexample
15537
15538 @var{module} . @var{id}
15539 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
15540 @end smallexample
15541
15542 @noindent
15543 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
15544 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
15545 identifier within your program, except another module.
15546
15547 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
15548 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
15549 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
15550 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
15551
15552 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
15553 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
15554 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
15555 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
15556 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
15557 @var{module}.
15558
15559 @node GDB/M2
15560 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15561
15562 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
15563 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
15564 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
15565 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
15566 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
15567 analogue in Modula-2.
15568
15569 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
15570 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
15571 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
15572 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
15573 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
15574 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
15575
15576 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
15577 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
15578 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
15579
15580 @node Ada
15581 @subsection Ada
15582 @cindex Ada
15583
15584 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
15585 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
15586 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
15587 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
15588 to be difficult.
15589
15590
15591 @cindex expressions in Ada
15592 @menu
15593 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
15594 and semantics supported by Ada mode
15595 in @value{GDBN}.
15596 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
15597 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
15598 * Overloading support for Ada:: Support for expressions involving overloaded
15599 subprograms.
15600 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
15601 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
15602 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
15603 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15604 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
15605 Profile
15606 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
15607 @end menu
15608
15609 @node Ada Mode Intro
15610 @subsubsection Introduction
15611 @cindex Ada mode, general
15612
15613 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
15614 syntax, with some extensions.
15615 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
15616
15617 @itemize @bullet
15618 @item
15619 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
15620 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
15621 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
15622 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
15623
15624 @item
15625 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
15626 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15627
15628 @item
15629 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15630 @end itemize
15631
15632 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
15633 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
15634 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
15635 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
15636 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
15637
15638 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
15639 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
15640 was translated from an Ada source file.
15641
15642 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
15643 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
15644 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
15645 middle (to allow based literals).
15646
15647 @node Omissions from Ada
15648 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
15649 @cindex Ada, omissions from
15650
15651 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
15652
15653 @itemize @bullet
15654 @item
15655 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
15656
15657 @itemize @minus
15658 @item
15659 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
15660 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
15661
15662 @item
15663 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
15664
15665 @item
15666 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
15667
15668 @item
15669 @t{'Tag}.
15670
15671 @item
15672 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
15673 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
15674
15675 @item
15676 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
15677 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
15678
15679 @item
15680 @t{'Address}.
15681 @end itemize
15682
15683 @item
15684 The names in
15685 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
15686 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
15687 not currently available.
15688
15689 @item
15690 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
15691 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
15692 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
15693 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
15694 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
15695 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
15696 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
15697 indeterminate values.
15698
15699 @item
15700 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
15701 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
15702 are not implemented.
15703
15704 @item
15705 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
15706 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
15707 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
15708 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
15709 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
15710
15711 @smallexample
15712 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
15713 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
15714 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
15715 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
15716 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
15717 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
15718 @end smallexample
15719
15720 Changing a
15721 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
15722 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
15723 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
15724 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
15725 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
15726 declared to have a type such as:
15727
15728 @smallexample
15729 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
15730 Id : Integer;
15731 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
15732 end record;
15733 @end smallexample
15734
15735 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
15736 assignments:
15737
15738 @smallexample
15739 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
15740 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
15741 @end smallexample
15742
15743 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
15744 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
15745 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
15746 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
15747 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
15748 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
15749 redundant component associations, although which component values are
15750 assigned in such cases is not defined.
15751
15752 @item
15753 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
15754
15755 @item
15756 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
15757 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
15758 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
15759 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
15760 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
15761 the proper resolution.
15762
15763 @item
15764 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
15765
15766 @item
15767 Entry calls are not implemented.
15768
15769 @item
15770 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
15771 formats are not supported.
15772
15773 @item
15774 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
15775
15776 @item
15777 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
15778 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
15779 context.
15780 Should your program
15781 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
15782 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
15783 @end itemize
15784
15785 @node Additions to Ada
15786 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
15787 @cindex Ada, deviations from
15788
15789 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
15790 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
15791
15792 @itemize @bullet
15793 @item
15794 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
15795 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
15796 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
15797 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
15798 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
15799 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
15800 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
15801 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
15802
15803 @item
15804 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
15805 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
15806 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
15807
15808 @item
15809 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
15810 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
15811
15812 @item
15813 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
15814 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
15815 @end itemize
15816
15817 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
15818 additions specific to Ada:
15819
15820 @itemize @bullet
15821 @item
15822 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
15823 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
15824
15825 @smallexample
15826 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
15827 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
15828 @end smallexample
15829
15830 @item
15831 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
15832 the value of its right-hand operand.
15833 This allows, for example,
15834 complex conditional breaks:
15835
15836 @smallexample
15837 (@value{GDBP}) break f
15838 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
15839 @end smallexample
15840
15841 @item
15842 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
15843 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
15844 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
15845 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
15846 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
15847 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
15848 in strings. For example,
15849 @smallexample
15850 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
15851 @end smallexample
15852 @noindent
15853 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
15854 after each period.
15855
15856 @item
15857 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
15858 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
15859 to write
15860
15861 @smallexample
15862 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
15863 @end smallexample
15864
15865 @item
15866 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15867 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15868 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15869 of 3 might print as
15870
15871 @smallexample
15872 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
15873 @end smallexample
15874
15875 @noindent
15876 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15877 clause.
15878
15879 @item
15880 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15881 multi-character subsequence of
15882 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15883 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15884 in place of @t{a'length}.
15885
15886 @item
15887 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15888 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15889 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15890 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15891 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15892 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15893 For example,
15894 @smallexample
15895 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15896 @end smallexample
15897
15898 @item
15899 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15900 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15901 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15902 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15903 object.
15904
15905 @end itemize
15906
15907 @node Overloading support for Ada
15908 @subsubsection Overloading support for Ada
15909 @cindex overloading, Ada
15910
15911 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
15912 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
15913 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
15914 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
15915 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
15916 functions to procedures elsewhere.
15917
15918 If, after narrowing, the set of matching definitions still contains more than
15919 one definition, @value{GDBN} will display a menu to query which one it should
15920 use, for instance:
15921
15922 @smallexample
15923 (@value{GDBP}) print f(1)
15924 Multiple matches for f
15925 [0] cancel
15926 [1] foo.f (integer) return boolean at foo.adb:23
15927 [2] foo.f (foo.new_integer) return boolean at foo.adb:28
15928 >
15929 @end smallexample
15930
15931 In this case, just select one menu entry either to cancel expression evaluation
15932 (type @kbd{0} and press @key{RET}) or to continue evaluation with a specific
15933 instance (type the corresponding number and press @key{RET}).
15934
15935 Here are a couple of commands to customize @value{GDBN}'s behavior in this
15936 case:
15937
15938 @table @code
15939
15940 @kindex set ada print-signatures
15941 @item set ada print-signatures
15942 Control whether parameter types and return types are displayed in overloads
15943 selection menus. It is @code{on} by default.
15944 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
15945
15946 @kindex show ada print-signatures
15947 @item show ada print-signatures
15948 Show the current setting for displaying parameter types and return types in
15949 overloads selection menu.
15950 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
15951
15952 @end table
15953
15954 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15955 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15956
15957 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15958 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15959 before reaching the main procedure.
15960 As defined in the Ada Reference
15961 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15962 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15963 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15964 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15965
15966 @node Ada Exceptions
15967 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
15968
15969 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
15970
15971 @table @code
15972 @kindex info exceptions
15973 @item info exceptions
15974 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
15975 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
15976 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
15977 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
15978 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
15979 @end table
15980
15981 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
15982 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
15983 argument.
15984
15985 @smallexample
15986 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
15987 All defined Ada exceptions:
15988 constraint_error: 0x613da0
15989 program_error: 0x613d20
15990 storage_error: 0x613ce0
15991 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
15992 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15993 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
15994 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
15995 constraint_error: 0x613da0
15996 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15997 @end smallexample
15998
15999 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
16000 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
16001
16002 @node Ada Tasks
16003 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
16004 @cindex Ada, tasking
16005
16006 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
16007 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
16008
16009 @table @code
16010 @kindex info tasks
16011 @item info tasks
16012 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
16013
16014
16015 @smallexample
16016 @iftex
16017 @leftskip=0.5cm
16018 @end iftex
16019 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16020 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16021 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16022 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
16023 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
16024 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
16025
16026 @end smallexample
16027
16028 @noindent
16029 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
16030 task currently being inspected.
16031
16032 @table @asis
16033 @item ID
16034 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
16035
16036 @item TID
16037 The Ada task ID.
16038
16039 @item P-ID
16040 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
16041
16042 @item Pri
16043 The base priority of the task.
16044
16045 @item State
16046 Current state of the task.
16047
16048 @table @code
16049 @item Unactivated
16050 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
16051 executing.
16052
16053 @item Runnable
16054 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
16055 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
16056
16057 @item Terminated
16058 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
16059 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
16060 terminated themselves.
16061
16062 @item Child Activation Wait
16063 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
16064
16065 @item Accept Statement
16066 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
16067
16068 @item Waiting on entry call
16069 The task is waiting on an entry call.
16070
16071 @item Async Select Wait
16072 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
16073 select statement.
16074
16075 @item Delay Sleep
16076 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
16077 alternative open.
16078
16079 @item Child Termination Wait
16080 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
16081 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
16082 waiting on a terminate Phase.
16083
16084 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
16085 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
16086 finish terminating.
16087
16088 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
16089 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
16090 @end table
16091
16092 @item Name
16093 Name of the task in the program.
16094
16095 @end table
16096
16097 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
16098 @item info task @var{taskno}
16099 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
16100 the following example:
16101 @smallexample
16102 @iftex
16103 @leftskip=0.5cm
16104 @end iftex
16105 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16106 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16107 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16108 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
16109 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
16110 Ada Task: 0x807c468
16111 Name: task_1
16112 Thread: 0x807f378
16113 Parent: 1 (main_task)
16114 Base Priority: 15
16115 State: Runnable
16116 @end smallexample
16117
16118 @item task
16119 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
16120 @cindex current Ada task ID
16121 This command prints the ID of the current task.
16122
16123 @smallexample
16124 @iftex
16125 @leftskip=0.5cm
16126 @end iftex
16127 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16128 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16129 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16130 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
16131 (@value{GDBP}) task
16132 [Current task is 2]
16133 @end smallexample
16134
16135 @item task @var{taskno}
16136 @cindex Ada task switching
16137 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
16138 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
16139 from the current task to the given task.
16140
16141 @smallexample
16142 @iftex
16143 @leftskip=0.5cm
16144 @end iftex
16145 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16146 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16147 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16148 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
16149 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
16150 [Switching to task 1]
16151 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
16152 (@value{GDBP}) bt
16153 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
16154 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
16155 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
16156 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
16157 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
16158 @end smallexample
16159
16160 @item break @var{location} task @var{taskno}
16161 @itemx break @var{location} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
16162 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
16163 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
16164 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
16165 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
16166 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
16167 @var{location} argument specifies source lines, as described
16168 in @ref{Specify Location}.
16169
16170 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
16171 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
16172 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
16173 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
16174 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
16175
16176 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
16177 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
16178 program.
16179
16180 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
16181 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
16182 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
16183
16184 For example,
16185
16186 @smallexample
16187 @iftex
16188 @leftskip=0.5cm
16189 @end iftex
16190 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16191 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16192 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16193 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
16194 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
16195 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
16196 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
16197 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
16198 (@value{GDBP}) cont
16199 Continuing.
16200 task # 1 running
16201 task # 2 running
16202
16203 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
16204 15 flush;
16205 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16206 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16207 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16208 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
16209 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
16210 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
16211 @end smallexample
16212 @end table
16213
16214 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
16215 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
16216 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
16217
16218 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
16219 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
16220 the platform being used.
16221 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
16222 switching is not supported.
16223
16224 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
16225 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
16226 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
16227 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
16228 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
16229 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
16230
16231 @node Ravenscar Profile
16232 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
16233 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
16234
16235 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
16236 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
16237 requirements.
16238
16239 @table @code
16240 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
16241 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
16242 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
16243 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
16244 Profile. This is the default.
16245
16246 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
16247 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
16248 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
16249 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
16250 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
16251 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
16252 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
16253
16254 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
16255 @item show ravenscar task-switching
16256 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
16257 using the Ravenscar Profile.
16258
16259 @end table
16260
16261 @node Ada Glitches
16262 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
16263 @cindex Ada, problems
16264
16265 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
16266 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
16267 @value{GDBN},
16268 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
16269 and the GNU Ada compiler.
16270
16271 @itemize @bullet
16272 @item
16273 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
16274 storage are invisible to the debugger.
16275
16276 @item
16277 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
16278 argument lists are treated as positional).
16279
16280 @item
16281 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
16282
16283 @item
16284 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
16285 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
16286 the host machine.
16287
16288 @item
16289 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
16290 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
16291 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
16292 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
16293 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
16294 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
16295 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
16296 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
16297 you can usually resolve the confusion
16298 by qualifying the problematic names with package
16299 @code{Standard} explicitly.
16300 @end itemize
16301
16302 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
16303 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
16304 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
16305 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
16306 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
16307 enabled.
16308
16309 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
16310 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
16311 @table @code
16312
16313 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
16314 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
16315 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
16316 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
16317 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
16318 This is the default.
16319
16320 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
16321 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
16322 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
16323 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
16324 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
16325 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
16326 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
16327
16328 @end table
16329
16330 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
16331 @cindex GNAT encoding
16332 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
16333 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
16334 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
16335 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
16336 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
16337 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
16338
16339 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
16340 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
16341 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
16342 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
16343 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
16344 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
16345 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
16346 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
16347
16348 @table @code
16349
16350 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
16351 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
16352 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
16353 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
16354
16355 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
16356 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
16357 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
16358
16359 @end table
16360
16361 @node Unsupported Languages
16362 @section Unsupported Languages
16363
16364 @cindex unsupported languages
16365 @cindex minimal language
16366 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
16367 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
16368 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
16369 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
16370 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
16371 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
16372
16373 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
16374 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
16375 language.
16376
16377 @node Symbols
16378 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
16379
16380 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
16381 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
16382 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
16383 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
16384 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
16385 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
16386 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16387
16388 @cindex symbol names
16389 @cindex names of symbols
16390 @cindex quoting names
16391 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
16392 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
16393 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
16394 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
16395 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
16396 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
16397 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
16398 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
16399
16400 @smallexample
16401 p 'foo.c'::x
16402 @end smallexample
16403
16404 @noindent
16405 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
16406
16407 @table @code
16408 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
16409 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
16410 @kindex set case-sensitive
16411 @item set case-sensitive on
16412 @itemx set case-sensitive off
16413 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
16414 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
16415 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
16416 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
16417 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
16418 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
16419 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
16420 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
16421 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
16422 case-insensitive matches.
16423
16424 @kindex show case-sensitive
16425 @item show case-sensitive
16426 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
16427 lookups.
16428
16429 @kindex set print type methods
16430 @item set print type methods
16431 @itemx set print type methods on
16432 @itemx set print type methods off
16433 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
16434 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
16435 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
16436 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
16437 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
16438 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
16439
16440 @kindex show print type methods
16441 @item show print type methods
16442 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
16443 classes.
16444
16445 @kindex set print type typedefs
16446 @item set print type typedefs
16447 @itemx set print type typedefs on
16448 @itemx set print type typedefs off
16449
16450 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
16451 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
16452 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
16453 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
16454 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
16455 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
16456 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
16457 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
16458 types.
16459
16460 @kindex show print type typedefs
16461 @item show print type typedefs
16462 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
16463 printing classes.
16464
16465 @kindex info address
16466 @cindex address of a symbol
16467 @item info address @var{symbol}
16468 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
16469 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
16470 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
16471 is always stored.
16472
16473 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
16474 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
16475 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
16476
16477 @kindex info symbol
16478 @cindex symbol from address
16479 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
16480 @item info symbol @var{addr}
16481 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
16482 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
16483 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
16484
16485 @smallexample
16486 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
16487 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
16488 @end smallexample
16489
16490 @noindent
16491 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
16492 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
16493
16494 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
16495 library containing the symbol is also printed:
16496
16497 @smallexample
16498 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
16499 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
16500 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
16501 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
16502 @end smallexample
16503
16504 @kindex demangle
16505 @cindex demangle
16506 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
16507 Demangle @var{name}.
16508 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
16509 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
16510
16511 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
16512 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
16513
16514 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
16515 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
16516
16517 @kindex whatis
16518 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16519 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
16520 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
16521 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16522
16523 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
16524 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
16525 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
16526
16527 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
16528 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
16529 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
16530 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
16531 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
16532 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
16533 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
16534 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
16535 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
16536
16537 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
16538 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
16539 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
16540 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
16541 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
16542 unroll it.
16543
16544 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
16545 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
16546 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
16547
16548 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
16549 Available flags are:
16550
16551 @table @code
16552 @item r
16553 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
16554 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
16555 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
16556
16557 @item m
16558 Do not print methods defined in the class.
16559
16560 @item M
16561 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16562 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
16563
16564 @item t
16565 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
16566 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
16567 names are substituted when printing other types.
16568
16569 @item T
16570 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16571 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
16572 @end table
16573
16574 @kindex ptype
16575 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16576 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
16577 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
16578 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
16579
16580 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
16581 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
16582 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
16583 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
16584 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
16585 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
16586 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
16587 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
16588
16589 For example, for this variable declaration:
16590
16591 @smallexample
16592 typedef double real_t;
16593 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
16594 typedef struct complex complex_t;
16595 complex_t var;
16596 real_t *real_pointer_var;
16597 @end smallexample
16598
16599 @noindent
16600 the two commands give this output:
16601
16602 @smallexample
16603 @group
16604 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
16605 type = complex_t
16606 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
16607 type = struct complex @{
16608 real_t real;
16609 double imag;
16610 @}
16611 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
16612 type = struct complex
16613 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
16614 type = struct complex
16615 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
16616 type = struct complex @{
16617 real_t real;
16618 double imag;
16619 @}
16620 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
16621 type = real_t *
16622 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
16623 type = double *
16624 @end group
16625 @end smallexample
16626
16627 @noindent
16628 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
16629 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16630
16631 @cindex incomplete type
16632 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
16633 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
16634 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
16635 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
16636 given these declarations:
16637
16638 @smallexample
16639 struct foo;
16640 struct foo *fooptr;
16641 @end smallexample
16642
16643 @noindent
16644 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
16645
16646 @smallexample
16647 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
16648 $1 = <incomplete type>
16649 @end smallexample
16650
16651 @noindent
16652 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
16653 completely specified.
16654
16655 @kindex info types
16656 @item info types @var{regexp}
16657 @itemx info types
16658 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
16659 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
16660 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
16661 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
16662 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
16663 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
16664 name is @code{value}.
16665
16666 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
16667 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
16668 lists all source files where a type is defined.
16669
16670 @kindex info type-printers
16671 @item info type-printers
16672 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
16673 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
16674 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
16675 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
16676 type printers.
16677
16678 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
16679
16680 @kindex enable type-printer
16681 @kindex disable type-printer
16682 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16683 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16684 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
16685
16686 @kindex info scope
16687 @cindex local variables
16688 @item info scope @var{location}
16689 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
16690 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
16691 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
16692 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
16693 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
16694
16695 @smallexample
16696 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
16697 Scope for command_line_handler:
16698 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
16699 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
16700 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
16701 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
16702 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
16703 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
16704 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
16705 @end smallexample
16706
16707 @noindent
16708 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
16709 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
16710 collect}.
16711
16712 @kindex info source
16713 @item info source
16714 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
16715 the function containing the current point of execution:
16716 @itemize @bullet
16717 @item
16718 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
16719 @item
16720 the directory it was compiled in,
16721 @item
16722 its length, in lines,
16723 @item
16724 which programming language it is written in,
16725 @item
16726 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
16727 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
16728 @item
16729 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
16730 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
16731 @item
16732 whether the debugging information includes information about
16733 preprocessor macros.
16734 @end itemize
16735
16736
16737 @kindex info sources
16738 @item info sources
16739 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
16740 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
16741 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
16742
16743 @kindex info functions
16744 @item info functions
16745 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
16746
16747 @item info functions @var{regexp}
16748 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
16749 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
16750 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
16751 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
16752 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
16753 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
16754 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
16755
16756 @kindex info variables
16757 @item info variables
16758 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
16759 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
16760
16761 @item info variables @var{regexp}
16762 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
16763 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
16764 @var{regexp}.
16765
16766 @kindex info classes
16767 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
16768 @item info classes
16769 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
16770 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
16771 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16772 expression.
16773
16774 @kindex info selectors
16775 @item info selectors
16776 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
16777 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
16778 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16779 expression.
16780
16781 @ignore
16782 This was never implemented.
16783 @kindex info methods
16784 @item info methods
16785 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
16786 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
16787 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
16788 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
16789 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
16790 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
16791 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
16792 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
16793 @end ignore
16794
16795 @cindex opaque data types
16796 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
16797 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
16798 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
16799 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
16800 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
16801 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
16802 another source file. The default is on.
16803
16804 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
16805 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
16806
16807 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
16808 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
16809 is printed as follows:
16810 @smallexample
16811 @{<no data fields>@}
16812 @end smallexample
16813
16814 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
16815 @item show opaque-type-resolution
16816 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
16817
16818 @kindex set print symbol-loading
16819 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
16820 @item set print symbol-loading
16821 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
16822 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
16823 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
16824 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
16825 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
16826 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
16827 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
16828 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
16829 can be annoying.
16830 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
16831 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
16832 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
16833 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
16834
16835 @kindex show print symbol-loading
16836 @item show print symbol-loading
16837 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
16838 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
16839
16840 @kindex maint print symbols
16841 @cindex symbol dump
16842 @kindex maint print psymbols
16843 @cindex partial symbol dump
16844 @kindex maint print msymbols
16845 @cindex minimal symbol dump
16846 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
16847 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
16848 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
16849 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
16850 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
16851 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
16852 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
16853 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
16854 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
16855 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
16856 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
16857 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
16858 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
16859 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
16860 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
16861 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
16862 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
16863
16864 @kindex maint info symtabs
16865 @kindex maint info psymtabs
16866 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
16867 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16868 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16869 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16870 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16871 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16872
16873 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
16874 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
16875 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
16876 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
16877 structure in more detail. For example:
16878
16879 @smallexample
16880 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
16881 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16882 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16883 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16884 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
16885 readin no
16886 fullname (null)
16887 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
16888 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
16889 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
16890 dependencies (none)
16891 @}
16892 @}
16893 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16894 (@value{GDBP})
16895 @end smallexample
16896 @noindent
16897 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
16898 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
16899 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
16900 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
16901 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
16902
16903 @smallexample
16904 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
16905 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
16906 line 1574.
16907 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16908 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16909 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16910 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16911 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
16912 dirname (null)
16913 fullname (null)
16914 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
16915 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
16916 debugformat DWARF 2
16917 @}
16918 @}
16919 (@value{GDBP})
16920 @end smallexample
16921
16922 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
16923 @cindex symbol cache size
16924 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
16925 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
16926 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
16927 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
16928 with different sizes.
16929
16930 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
16931 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
16932 Show the size of the symbol cache.
16933
16934 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
16935 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
16936 @item maint print symbol-cache
16937 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
16938 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
16939
16940 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
16941 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
16942 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
16943 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
16944 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
16945
16946 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
16947 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
16948 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
16949 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
16950 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
16951 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
16952
16953 @end table
16954
16955 @node Altering
16956 @chapter Altering Execution
16957
16958 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
16959 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
16960 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
16961 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
16962 program.
16963
16964 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
16965 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
16966 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
16967
16968 @menu
16969 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
16970 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
16971 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
16972 * Returning:: Returning from a function
16973 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
16974 * Patching:: Patching your program
16975 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
16976 @end menu
16977
16978 @node Assignment
16979 @section Assignment to Variables
16980
16981 @cindex assignment
16982 @cindex setting variables
16983 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
16984 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
16985
16986 @smallexample
16987 print x=4
16988 @end smallexample
16989
16990 @noindent
16991 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
16992 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
16993 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
16994 information on operators in supported languages.
16995
16996 @kindex set variable
16997 @cindex variables, setting
16998 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
16999 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
17000 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
17001 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
17002 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
17003
17004 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
17005 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
17006 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
17007 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
17008 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
17009 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
17010 command @code{set width}:
17011
17012 @smallexample
17013 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
17014 type = double
17015 (@value{GDBP}) p width
17016 $4 = 13
17017 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
17018 Invalid syntax in expression.
17019 @end smallexample
17020
17021 @noindent
17022 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
17023 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
17024
17025 @smallexample
17026 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
17027 @end smallexample
17028
17029 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
17030 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
17031 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
17032 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
17033 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
17034 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
17035
17036 @smallexample
17037 @group
17038 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
17039 type = double
17040 (@value{GDBP}) p g
17041 $1 = 1
17042 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
17043 (@value{GDBP}) p g
17044 $2 = 1
17045 (@value{GDBP}) r
17046 The program being debugged has been started already.
17047 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
17048 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
17049 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
17050 Invalid bfd target.
17051 (@value{GDBP}) show g
17052 The current BFD target is "=4".
17053 @end group
17054 @end smallexample
17055
17056 @noindent
17057 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
17058 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
17059 @code{g}, use
17060
17061 @smallexample
17062 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
17063 @end smallexample
17064
17065 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
17066 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
17067 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
17068 same length or shorter.
17069 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
17070 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
17071
17072 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
17073 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
17074 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
17075 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
17076 and representation in memory), and
17077
17078 @smallexample
17079 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
17080 @end smallexample
17081
17082 @noindent
17083 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
17084
17085 @node Jumping
17086 @section Continuing at a Different Address
17087
17088 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
17089 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
17090 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
17091
17092 @table @code
17093 @kindex jump
17094 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
17095 @item jump @var{location}
17096 @itemx j @var{location}
17097 Resume execution at @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately
17098 if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description
17099 of the different forms of @var{location}. It is common
17100 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
17101 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
17102
17103 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
17104 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
17105 register other than the program counter. If @var{location} is in
17106 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
17107 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
17108 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
17109 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
17110 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
17111 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
17112 @end table
17113
17114 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
17115 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
17116 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
17117 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
17118 example,
17119
17120 @smallexample
17121 set $pc = 0x485
17122 @end smallexample
17123
17124 @noindent
17125 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
17126 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
17127 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
17128
17129 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
17130 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
17131 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
17132 detail.
17133
17134 @c @group
17135 @node Signaling
17136 @section Giving your Program a Signal
17137 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
17138
17139 @table @code
17140 @kindex signal
17141 @item signal @var{signal}
17142 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
17143 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
17144 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
17145 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
17146
17147 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
17148 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
17149 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
17150 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
17151 signal.
17152
17153 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
17154 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
17155 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
17156 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
17157 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
17158 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
17159 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
17160 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
17161
17162 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
17163 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
17164 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
17165 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
17166 passes the signal directly to your program.
17167
17168 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
17169 after executing the command.
17170
17171 @kindex queue-signal
17172 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
17173 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
17174 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
17175 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
17176 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
17177 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
17178 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
17179 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
17180 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
17181
17182 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
17183 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
17184 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
17185 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
17186 @code{continue} command.
17187
17188 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
17189 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
17190 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
17191 (@pxref{Signals}).
17192 @end table
17193 @c @end group
17194
17195 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
17196 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
17197
17198 @node Returning
17199 @section Returning from a Function
17200
17201 @table @code
17202 @cindex returning from a function
17203 @kindex return
17204 @item return
17205 @itemx return @var{expression}
17206 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
17207 command. If you give an
17208 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
17209 value.
17210 @end table
17211
17212 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
17213 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
17214 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
17215 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
17216
17217 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
17218 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
17219 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
17220 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
17221 of functions.
17222
17223 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
17224 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
17225 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
17226 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
17227 selected stack frame returns naturally.
17228
17229 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
17230 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
17231 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
17232 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
17233 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
17234 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
17235 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
17236 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
17237 assignment into the right register(s).
17238
17239 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
17240 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
17241 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
17242 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
17243 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
17244 into a @code{long long int}:
17245
17246 @smallexample
17247 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
17248 29 return 31;
17249 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
17250 Make func return now? (y or n) y
17251 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
17252 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
17253 (@value{GDBP})
17254 @end smallexample
17255
17256 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
17257 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
17258 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
17259 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
17260 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
17261 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
17262 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
17263 an appropriate cast explicitly:
17264
17265 @smallexample
17266 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
17267 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
17268 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
17269 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
17270 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
17271 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
17272 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
17273 (@value{GDBP})
17274 @end smallexample
17275
17276 @node Calling
17277 @section Calling Program Functions
17278
17279 @table @code
17280 @cindex calling functions
17281 @cindex inferior functions, calling
17282 @item print @var{expr}
17283 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
17284 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
17285 debugged.
17286
17287 @kindex call
17288 @item call @var{expr}
17289 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
17290 returned values.
17291
17292 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
17293 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
17294 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
17295 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
17296 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
17297 value history.
17298 @end table
17299
17300 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
17301 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
17302 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
17303 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
17304
17305 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
17306 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
17307 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
17308 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
17309 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
17310 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
17311 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
17312 in that case is controlled by the
17313 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
17314
17315 @table @code
17316 @item set unwindonsignal
17317 @kindex set unwindonsignal
17318 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
17319 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
17320 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
17321 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
17322 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
17323 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
17324 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
17325 received.
17326
17327 @item show unwindonsignal
17328 @kindex show unwindonsignal
17329 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
17330 @value{GDBN}.
17331
17332 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
17333 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
17334 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
17335 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
17336 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
17337 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
17338 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
17339 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
17340 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
17341 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
17342
17343 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
17344 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
17345 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
17346 @value{GDBN}.
17347
17348 @end table
17349
17350 @cindex weak alias functions
17351 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
17352 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
17353 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
17354 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
17355 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
17356 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
17357 function instead.
17358
17359 @node Patching
17360 @section Patching Programs
17361
17362 @cindex patching binaries
17363 @cindex writing into executables
17364 @cindex writing into corefiles
17365
17366 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
17367 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
17368 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
17369 patching your program's binary.
17370
17371 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
17372 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
17373 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
17374 repairs.
17375
17376 @table @code
17377 @kindex set write
17378 @item set write on
17379 @itemx set write off
17380 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
17381 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
17382 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
17383
17384 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
17385 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
17386 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
17387
17388 @item show write
17389 @kindex show write
17390 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
17391 as well as reading.
17392 @end table
17393
17394 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
17395 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
17396 @cindex injecting code
17397 @cindex writing into executables
17398 @cindex compiling code
17399
17400 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
17401 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
17402 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
17403 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
17404
17405 @table @code
17406 @kindex compile code
17407 @item compile code @var{source-code}
17408 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
17409 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
17410 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
17411 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
17412 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
17413 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
17414 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
17415 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
17416 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
17417 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
17418 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
17419
17420 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
17421 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
17422 E.g.:
17423
17424 @smallexample
17425 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
17426 @end smallexample
17427
17428 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
17429 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
17430 from actual source code. E.g.:
17431
17432 @smallexample
17433 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
17434 @end smallexample
17435
17436 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
17437 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
17438 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
17439 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
17440 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
17441 editor.
17442
17443 @smallexample
17444 compile code
17445 >printf ("hello\n");
17446 >printf ("world\n");
17447 >end
17448 @end smallexample
17449
17450 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
17451 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
17452 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
17453 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
17454 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
17455 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
17456 inferior symbols otherwise.
17457
17458 @kindex compile file
17459 @item compile file @var{filename}
17460 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
17461 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
17462
17463 @smallexample
17464 compile file /home/user/example.c
17465 @end smallexample
17466 @end table
17467
17468 @table @code
17469 @item compile print @var{expr}
17470 @itemx compile print /@var{f} @var{expr}
17471 Compile and execute @var{expr} with the compiler language found as the
17472 current language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). By default the
17473 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
17474 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
17475 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
17476 Formats}.
17477
17478 @item compile print
17479 @itemx compile print /@var{f}
17480 @cindex reprint the last value
17481 Alternatively you can enter the expression (source code producing it) as
17482 multiple lines of text. To enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile print}
17483 command without any text following the command. This will start the
17484 multiple-line editor.
17485 @end table
17486
17487 @noindent
17488 The process of compiling and injecting the code can be inspected using:
17489
17490 @table @code
17491 @anchor{set debug compile}
17492 @item set debug compile
17493 @cindex compile command debugging info
17494 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} process of compiling and
17495 injecting the code. The default is off.
17496
17497 @item show debug compile
17498 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} process of
17499 compiling and injecting the code.
17500 @end table
17501
17502 @subsection Compilation options for the @code{compile} command
17503
17504 @value{GDBN} needs to specify the right compilation options for the code
17505 to be injected, in part to make its ABI compatible with the inferior
17506 and in part to make the injected code compatible with @value{GDBN}'s
17507 injecting process.
17508
17509 @noindent
17510 The options used, in increasing precedence:
17511
17512 @table @asis
17513 @item target architecture and OS options (@code{gdbarch})
17514 These options depend on target processor type and target operating
17515 system, usually they specify at least 32-bit (@code{-m32}) or 64-bit
17516 (@code{-m64}) compilation option.
17517
17518 @item compilation options recorded in the target
17519 @value{NGCC} (since version 4.7) stores the options used for compilation
17520 into @code{DW_AT_producer} part of DWARF debugging information according
17521 to the @value{NGCC} option @code{-grecord-gcc-switches}. One has to
17522 explicitly specify @code{-g} during inferior compilation otherwise
17523 @value{NGCC} produces no DWARF. This feature is only relevant for
17524 platforms where @code{-g} produces DWARF by default, otherwise one may
17525 try to enforce DWARF by using @code{-gdwarf-4}.
17526
17527 @item compilation options set by @code{set compile-args}
17528 @end table
17529
17530 @noindent
17531 You can override compilation options using the following command:
17532
17533 @table @code
17534 @item set compile-args
17535 @cindex compile command options override
17536 Set compilation options used for compiling and injecting code with the
17537 @code{compile} commands. These options override any conflicting ones
17538 from the target architecture and/or options stored during inferior
17539 compilation.
17540
17541 @item show compile-args
17542 Displays the current state of compilation options override.
17543 This does not show all the options actually used during compilation,
17544 use @ref{set debug compile} for that.
17545 @end table
17546
17547 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
17548
17549 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
17550 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
17551 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
17552
17553 @table @asis
17554 @item C code examples and caveats
17555 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
17556 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
17557 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
17558 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
17559 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
17560
17561 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
17562 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
17563 much like any other normal debugging session.
17564
17565 @smallexample
17566 void function1 (void)
17567 @{
17568 int i = 42;
17569 printf ("function 1\n");
17570 @}
17571
17572 void function2 (void)
17573 @{
17574 int j = 12;
17575 function1 ();
17576 @}
17577
17578 int main(void)
17579 @{
17580 int k = 6;
17581 int *p;
17582 function2 ();
17583 return 0;
17584 @}
17585 @end smallexample
17586
17587 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
17588 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
17589 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
17590
17591 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
17592 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
17593 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
17594 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
17595 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
17596
17597 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
17598 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
17599 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
17600 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
17601 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
17602 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
17603 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
17604 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
17605 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
17606 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
17607
17608 @smallexample
17609 compile code k = 3;
17610 @end smallexample
17611
17612 @noindent
17613 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
17614 something else in the example program changes it, or another
17615 @code{compile} command changes it.
17616
17617 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
17618 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
17619 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
17620 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
17621 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
17622
17623 @smallexample
17624 compile code j = 3;
17625 @end smallexample
17626
17627 @noindent
17628 will result in a compilation error message.
17629
17630 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
17631 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
17632 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
17633
17634 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
17635 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
17636 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
17637 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
17638
17639 @smallexample
17640 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
17641 @end smallexample
17642
17643 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
17644 command has completed:
17645
17646 @smallexample
17647 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
17648 @end smallexample
17649
17650 @noindent
17651 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
17652 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
17653 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
17654 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
17655 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
17656
17657 @smallexample
17658 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
17659 @end smallexample
17660
17661 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
17662 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
17663 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
17664 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
17665 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
17666 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
17667 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
17668 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
17669
17670 @smallexample
17671 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
17672 @end smallexample
17673
17674 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
17675 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
17676 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
17677 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
17678 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
17679 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
17680 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
17681
17682 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
17683 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
17684 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
17685 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
17686 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
17687 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
17688
17689 @smallexample
17690 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
17691 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
17692 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
17693 Compilation failed.
17694 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
17695 42
17696 @end smallexample
17697
17698 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
17699 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
17700 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
17701 will print to the console.
17702 @end table
17703
17704 @subsection Compiler search for the @code{compile} command
17705
17706 @value{GDBN} needs to find @value{NGCC} for the inferior being debugged which
17707 may not be obvious for remote targets of different architecture than where
17708 @value{GDBN} is running. Environment variable @code{PATH} (@code{PATH} from
17709 shell that executed @value{GDBN}, not the one set by @value{GDBN}
17710 command @code{set environment}). @xref{Environment}. @code{PATH} on
17711 @value{GDBN} host is searched for @value{NGCC} binary matching the
17712 target architecture and operating system.
17713
17714 Specifically @code{PATH} is searched for binaries matching regular expression
17715 @code{@var{arch}(-[^-]*)?-@var{os}-gcc} according to the inferior target being
17716 debugged. @var{arch} is processor name --- multiarch is supported, so for
17717 example both @code{i386} and @code{x86_64} targets look for pattern
17718 @code{(x86_64|i.86)} and both @code{s390} and @code{s390x} targets look
17719 for pattern @code{s390x?}. @var{os} is currently supported only for
17720 pattern @code{linux(-gnu)?}.
17721
17722 @node GDB Files
17723 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
17724
17725 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
17726 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
17727 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
17728 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
17729
17730 @menu
17731 * Files:: Commands to specify files
17732 * File Caching:: Information about @value{GDBN}'s file caching
17733 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
17734 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
17735 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
17736 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
17737 * Data Files:: GDB data files
17738 @end menu
17739
17740 @node Files
17741 @section Commands to Specify Files
17742
17743 @cindex symbol table
17744 @cindex core dump file
17745
17746 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
17747 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
17748 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
17749 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
17750
17751 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
17752 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
17753 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
17754 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
17755 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
17756 new files are useful.
17757
17758 @table @code
17759 @cindex executable file
17760 @kindex file
17761 @item file @var{filename}
17762 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
17763 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
17764 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
17765 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
17766 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
17767 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
17768 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
17769 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
17770
17771 @cindex unlinked object files
17772 @cindex patching object files
17773 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
17774 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
17775 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
17776 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
17777 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
17778 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
17779 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
17780 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
17781
17782 @item file
17783 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
17784 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
17785
17786 @kindex exec-file
17787 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
17788 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
17789 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
17790 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
17791 discard information on the executable file.
17792
17793 @kindex symbol-file
17794 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
17795 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
17796 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
17797 table and program to run from the same file.
17798
17799 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
17800 program's symbol table.
17801
17802 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
17803 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
17804 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
17805 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
17806 @value{GDBN}.
17807
17808 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
17809 executing it once.
17810
17811 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
17812 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
17813 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
17814 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
17815 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
17816 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
17817 optimized code.
17818
17819 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
17820 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
17821 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
17822 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
17823 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
17824
17825 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
17826 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
17827 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
17828 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
17829 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
17830 Warnings and Messages}.)
17831
17832 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
17833 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
17834 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
17835 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
17836 in stabs format.
17837
17838 @kindex readnow
17839 @cindex reading symbols immediately
17840 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
17841 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
17842 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
17843 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
17844 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
17845 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
17846 entire symbol table available.
17847
17848 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
17849 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
17850 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
17851 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
17852 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
17853 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
17854 @c files.
17855
17856 @kindex core-file
17857 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17858 @itemx core
17859 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
17860 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
17861 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
17862 executable file itself for other parts.
17863
17864 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
17865 to be used.
17866
17867 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
17868 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
17869 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
17870 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
17871 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
17872
17873 @kindex add-symbol-file
17874 @cindex dynamic linking
17875 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
17876 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
17877 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
17878 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
17879 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
17880 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
17881 into the program that is running. The @var{address} should give the memory
17882 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
17883 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
17884 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
17885 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
17886 @var{address} as an expression.
17887
17888 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
17889 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
17890 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
17891 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
17892
17893 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
17894
17895 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
17896 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
17897 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
17898 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
17899 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
17900 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
17901 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
17902 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
17903 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
17904
17905 @itemize @bullet
17906 @item
17907 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
17908 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
17909 @item
17910 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
17911 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
17912 @item
17913 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
17914 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17915 @end itemize
17916
17917 @noindent
17918 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
17919 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
17920 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
17921 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
17922 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
17923 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
17924 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
17925 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
17926 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
17927 way.
17928
17929 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17930
17931 @kindex remove-symbol-file
17932 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
17933 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
17934 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
17935 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
17936 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
17937
17938 @smallexample
17939 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
17940 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
17941 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
17942 (y or n) y
17943 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
17944 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
17945 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
17946 (gdb)
17947 @end smallexample
17948
17949
17950 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17951
17952 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
17953 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
17954 @cindex load symbols from memory
17955 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
17956 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
17957 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
17958 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
17959 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
17960 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
17961 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
17962 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
17963 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
17964
17965 @kindex section
17966 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
17967 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
17968 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
17969 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
17970 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
17971 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
17972 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
17973 their addresses.
17974
17975 @kindex info files
17976 @kindex info target
17977 @item info files
17978 @itemx info target
17979 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
17980 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
17981 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
17982 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
17983 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
17984 current ones.
17985
17986 @kindex maint info sections
17987 @item maint info sections
17988 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
17989 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
17990 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
17991 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
17992 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
17993 may be arbitrarily combined):
17994
17995 @table @code
17996 @item ALLOBJ
17997 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
17998 @item @var{sections}
17999 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
18000 @item @var{section-flags}
18001 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
18002 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
18003 @table @code
18004 @item ALLOC
18005 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
18006 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
18007 @item LOAD
18008 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
18009 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
18010 @item RELOC
18011 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
18012 @item READONLY
18013 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
18014 @item CODE
18015 Section contains executable code only.
18016 @item DATA
18017 Section contains data only (no executable code).
18018 @item ROM
18019 Section will reside in ROM.
18020 @item CONSTRUCTOR
18021 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
18022 @item HAS_CONTENTS
18023 Section is not empty.
18024 @item NEVER_LOAD
18025 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
18026 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
18027 A notification to the linker that the section contains
18028 COFF shared library information.
18029 @item IS_COMMON
18030 Section contains common symbols.
18031 @end table
18032 @end table
18033 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
18034 @cindex read-only sections
18035 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
18036 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
18037 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
18038 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
18039 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
18040 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
18041 enhancement to debugging performance.
18042
18043 The default is off.
18044
18045 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
18046 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
18047 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
18048 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
18049
18050 @item show trust-readonly-sections
18051 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
18052 @end table
18053
18054 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
18055 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
18056 name and remembers it that way.
18057
18058 @cindex shared libraries
18059 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
18060 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, SunOS,
18061 Darwin/Mach-O, SVr4, IBM RS/6000 AIX, QNX Neutrino, FDPIC (FR-V), and
18062 DSBT (TIC6X) shared libraries.
18063
18064 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
18065 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
18066
18067 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
18068 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
18069 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
18070 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
18071 debugging a core file).
18072
18073 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
18074 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
18075 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
18076
18077 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
18078 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
18079 particularly large or there are many of them.
18080
18081 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
18082 commands:
18083
18084 @table @code
18085 @kindex set auto-solib-add
18086 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
18087 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
18088 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
18089 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
18090 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
18091 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
18092 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
18093
18094 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
18095 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
18096 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
18097 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
18098 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
18099 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
18100 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
18101 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
18102 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
18103
18104 @kindex show auto-solib-add
18105 @item show auto-solib-add
18106 Display the current autoloading mode.
18107 @end table
18108
18109 @cindex load shared library
18110 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
18111 command:
18112
18113 @table @code
18114 @kindex info sharedlibrary
18115 @kindex info share
18116 @item info share @var{regex}
18117 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
18118 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
18119 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
18120 all shared libraries that are loaded.
18121
18122 @kindex info dll
18123 @item info dll @var{regex}
18124 This is an alias of @code{info sharedlibrary}.
18125
18126 @kindex sharedlibrary
18127 @kindex share
18128 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
18129 @itemx share @var{regex}
18130 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
18131 Unix regular expression.
18132 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
18133 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
18134 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
18135 loaded.
18136
18137 @item nosharedlibrary
18138 @kindex nosharedlibrary
18139 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
18140 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
18141 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
18142 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
18143 discarded.
18144 @end table
18145
18146 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
18147 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
18148 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
18149 Catchpoints}).
18150
18151 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
18152 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
18153 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
18154 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
18155
18156 @table @code
18157 @item set stop-on-solib-events
18158 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
18159 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
18160 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
18161 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
18162 shared library.
18163
18164 @item show stop-on-solib-events
18165 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
18166 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
18167 library events happen.
18168 @end table
18169
18170 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
18171 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
18172 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
18173 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
18174 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
18175 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
18176 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
18177 not.
18178
18179 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
18180 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
18181 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
18182 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
18183 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
18184
18185 @table @code
18186 @cindex prefix for executable and shared library file names
18187 @cindex system root, alternate
18188 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
18189 @kindex set sysroot
18190 @item set sysroot @var{path}
18191 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
18192 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
18193 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
18194 target program's memory. When starting processes remotely, and when
18195 attaching to already-running processes (local or remote), their
18196 executable filenames will be prefixed with @var{path} if reported to
18197 @value{GDBN} as absolute by the operating system. If you use
18198 @code{set sysroot} to find executables and shared libraries, they need
18199 to be laid out in the same way that they are on the target, with
18200 e.g.@: a @file{/bin}, @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under
18201 @var{path}.
18202
18203 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{target:} and the target
18204 system is remote then @value{GDBN} will retrieve the target binaries
18205 from the remote system. This is only supported when using a remote
18206 target that supports the @code{remote get} command (@pxref{File
18207 Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}). The part of @var{path}
18208 following the initial @file{target:} (if present) is used as system
18209 root prefix on the remote file system. If @var{path} starts with the
18210 sequence @file{remote:} this is converted to the sequence
18211 @file{target:} by @code{set sysroot}@footnote{Historically the
18212 functionality to retrieve binaries from the remote system was
18213 provided by prefixing @var{path} with @file{remote:}}. If you want
18214 to specify a local system root using a directory that happens to be
18215 named @file{target:} or @file{remote:}, you need to use some
18216 equivalent variant of the name like @file{./target:}.
18217
18218 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
18219 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
18220 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
18221 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
18222 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
18223
18224 @smallexample
18225 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
18226 @end smallexample
18227
18228 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
18229 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
18230 system:
18231
18232 @smallexample
18233 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
18234 @end smallexample
18235
18236 If that does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries removing
18237 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
18238 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
18239 colons:
18240
18241 @smallexample
18242 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
18243 @end smallexample
18244
18245 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
18246 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
18247 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
18248 @samp{z}):
18249
18250 @smallexample
18251 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
18252 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
18253 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
18254 @end smallexample
18255
18256 @noindent
18257 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
18258 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
18259 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
18260
18261 If that still does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries
18262 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
18263
18264 @smallexample
18265 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
18266 @end smallexample
18267
18268 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
18269 if you don't want or need to.
18270
18271 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
18272 sysroot}.
18273
18274 @cindex default system root
18275 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
18276 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
18277 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
18278 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
18279 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
18280 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
18281 location.
18282
18283 @kindex show sysroot
18284 @item show sysroot
18285 Display the current executable and shared library prefix.
18286
18287 @kindex set solib-search-path
18288 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
18289 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18290 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
18291 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
18292 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
18293 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
18294 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
18295 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
18296 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
18297 of shared library symbols.
18298
18299 @kindex show solib-search-path
18300 @item show solib-search-path
18301 Display the current shared library search path.
18302
18303 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
18304 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
18305 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
18306 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
18307 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
18308
18309 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
18310 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
18311 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
18312 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
18313 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
18314 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
18315 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
18316 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
18317 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
18318 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
18319 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
18320 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
18321 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
18322 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
18323 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
18324 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
18325 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
18326 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
18327 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
18328 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
18329 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
18330 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
18331
18332 @table @code
18333 @item unix
18334 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
18335 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
18336 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
18337 the forward slash.
18338
18339 @item dos-based
18340 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
18341 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
18342 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
18343 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
18344 considered directory separators.
18345
18346 @item auto
18347 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
18348 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
18349 This is the default.
18350 @end table
18351 @end table
18352
18353 @cindex file name canonicalization
18354 @cindex base name differences
18355 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
18356 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
18357 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
18358 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
18359 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
18360 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
18361 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
18362 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
18363 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
18364 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
18365 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
18366 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
18367 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
18368 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
18369 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
18370
18371 @table @code
18372 @item set basenames-may-differ
18373 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
18374 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
18375
18376 @item show basenames-may-differ
18377 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
18378 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
18379 @end table
18380
18381 @node File Caching
18382 @section File Caching
18383 @cindex caching of opened files
18384 @cindex caching of bfd objects
18385
18386 To speed up file loading, and reduce memory usage, @value{GDBN} will
18387 reuse the @code{bfd} objects used to track open files. @xref{Top, ,
18388 BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}. The following commands
18389 allow visibility and control of the caching behavior.
18390
18391 @table @code
18392 @kindex maint info bfds
18393 @item maint info bfds
18394 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
18395 @value{GDBN}.
18396
18397 @kindex maint set bfd-sharing
18398 @kindex maint show bfd-sharing
18399 @kindex bfd caching
18400 @item maint set bfd-sharing
18401 @item maint show bfd-sharing
18402 Control whether @code{bfd} objects can be shared. When sharing is
18403 enabled @value{GDBN} reuses already open @code{bfd} objects rather
18404 than reopening the same file. Turning sharing off does not cause
18405 already shared @code{bfd} objects to be unshared, but all future files
18406 that are opened will create a new @code{bfd} object. Similarly,
18407 re-enabling sharing does not cause multiple existing @code{bfd}
18408 objects to be collapsed into a single shared @code{bfd} object.
18409
18410 @kindex set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
18411 @kindex bfd caching
18412 @item set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
18413 Turns on debugging of the bfd cache, setting the level to @var{level}.
18414
18415 @kindex show debug bfd-cache
18416 @kindex bfd caching
18417 @item show debug bfd-cache
18418 Show the current debugging level of the bfd cache.
18419 @end table
18420
18421 @node Separate Debug Files
18422 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
18423 @cindex separate debugging information files
18424 @cindex debugging information in separate files
18425 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
18426 @cindex debugging information directory, global
18427 @cindex global debugging information directories
18428 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
18429 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
18430
18431 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
18432 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
18433 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
18434 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
18435 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
18436 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
18437 install only when they need to debug a problem.
18438
18439 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
18440 file:
18441
18442 @itemize @bullet
18443 @item
18444 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
18445 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
18446 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
18447 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
18448 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
18449 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
18450 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
18451 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
18452
18453 @item
18454 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
18455 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
18456 only on some operating systems, when using the ELF or PE file formats
18457 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
18458 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
18459 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
18460 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
18461 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
18462 below.
18463 @end itemize
18464
18465 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
18466 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
18467
18468 @itemize @bullet
18469 @item
18470 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
18471 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
18472 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
18473 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
18474 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
18475
18476 @item
18477 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
18478 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
18479 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
18480 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
18481 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
18482 hex characters, not 10.)
18483 @end itemize
18484
18485 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
18486 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
18487 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
18488 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
18489 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
18490 debug information files, in the indicated order:
18491
18492 @itemize @minus
18493 @item
18494 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
18495 @item
18496 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
18497 @item
18498 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
18499 @item
18500 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
18501 @end itemize
18502
18503 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
18504 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
18505 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
18506 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
18507 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
18508
18509 @table @code
18510
18511 @kindex set debug-file-directory
18512 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
18513 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
18514 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
18515 concatenating them by a path separator.
18516
18517 @kindex show debug-file-directory
18518 @item show debug-file-directory
18519 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
18520 information files.
18521
18522 @end table
18523
18524 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
18525 @cindex debug link sections
18526 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
18527 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
18528
18529 @itemize
18530 @item
18531 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
18532 a zero byte,
18533 @item
18534 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
18535 boundary within the section, and
18536 @item
18537 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
18538 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
18539 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
18540 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
18541 @end itemize
18542
18543 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
18544 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
18545 described above.
18546
18547 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
18548 @cindex build ID sections
18549 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
18550 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
18551 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
18552 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
18553 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
18554 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
18555 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
18556 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
18557 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
18558
18559 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
18560 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
18561 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
18562 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
18563 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
18564 in an ordinary executable.
18565
18566 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
18567 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
18568 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
18569 following commands:
18570
18571 @smallexample
18572 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
18573 @kbd{strip -g foo}
18574 @end smallexample
18575
18576 @noindent
18577 These commands remove the debugging
18578 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
18579 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
18580 two files:
18581
18582 @itemize @bullet
18583 @item
18584 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
18585 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
18586
18587 @smallexample
18588 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
18589 @end smallexample
18590
18591 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
18592 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
18593 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
18594 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
18595
18596 @item
18597 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
18598 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
18599 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
18600 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
18601 @end itemize
18602
18603 @noindent
18604
18605 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
18606 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
18607 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
18608
18609 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
18610 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
18611 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
18612 @c different ways!
18613 @ifhtml
18614 @display
18615 @html
18616 <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>
18617 + <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
18618 @end html
18619 @end display
18620 @end ifhtml
18621 @ifnothtml
18622 @display
18623 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
18624 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
18625 @end display
18626 @end ifnothtml
18627
18628 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
18629 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
18630 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
18631 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
18632 CRC.
18633
18634 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
18635 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
18636 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
18637 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
18638 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
18639
18640 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
18641 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
18642 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
18643 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
18644 @code{0xffffffff}.
18645
18646 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
18647 @smallexample
18648 unsigned long
18649 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
18650 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
18651 @{
18652 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
18653 @{
18654 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
18655 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
18656 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
18657 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
18658 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
18659 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
18660 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
18661 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
18662 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
18663 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
18664 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
18665 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
18666 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
18667 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
18668 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
18669 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
18670 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
18671 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
18672 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
18673 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
18674 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
18675 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
18676 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
18677 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
18678 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
18679 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
18680 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
18681 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
18682 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
18683 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
18684 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
18685 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
18686 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
18687 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
18688 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
18689 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
18690 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
18691 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
18692 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
18693 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
18694 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
18695 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
18696 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
18697 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
18698 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
18699 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
18700 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
18701 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
18702 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
18703 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
18704 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
18705 0x2d02ef8d
18706 @};
18707 unsigned char *end;
18708
18709 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
18710 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
18711 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
18712 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
18713 @}
18714 @end smallexample
18715
18716 @noindent
18717 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
18718
18719 @node MiniDebugInfo
18720 @section Debugging information in a special section
18721 @cindex separate debug sections
18722 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
18723
18724 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
18725 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
18726 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
18727 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
18728
18729 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
18730 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
18731 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
18732 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
18733 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
18734 debugging information might be included in the section.
18735
18736 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
18737 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
18738 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
18739
18740 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
18741 standard utilities:
18742
18743 @smallexample
18744 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
18745 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
18746 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
18747 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
18748
18749 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
18750 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
18751 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
18752 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
18753 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
18754 | sort > funcsyms
18755
18756 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
18757 # table.
18758 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
18759
18760 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
18761 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
18762
18763 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
18764 # removing some unnecessary sections.
18765 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
18766 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
18767
18768 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
18769 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
18770
18771 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
18772 # original binary.
18773 xz mini_debuginfo
18774 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
18775 @end smallexample
18776
18777 @node Index Files
18778 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
18779 @cindex index files
18780 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
18781
18782 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
18783 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
18784 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
18785 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
18786 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
18787 startup.
18788
18789 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
18790 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
18791 using @command{objcopy}.
18792
18793 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
18794
18795 @table @code
18796 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
18797 @kindex save gdb-index
18798 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
18799 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
18800 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
18801 @var{directory}.
18802 @end table
18803
18804 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
18805 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
18806
18807 @smallexample
18808 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
18809 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
18810 @end smallexample
18811
18812 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
18813 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
18814 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
18815 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
18816 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
18817 The default is @code{off}.
18818 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
18819 @xref{Index Section Format}.
18820
18821 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
18822 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
18823
18824 @smallexample
18825 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
18826 @end smallexample
18827
18828 Instead you must do, for example,
18829
18830 @smallexample
18831 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
18832 @end smallexample
18833
18834 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
18835 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
18836 currently work for programs using Ada.
18837
18838 @node Symbol Errors
18839 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
18840
18841 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
18842 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
18843 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
18844 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
18845 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
18846 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
18847 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
18848 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
18849 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
18850 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
18851 Messages}).
18852
18853 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
18854
18855 @table @code
18856 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
18857
18858 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
18859 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
18860 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
18861 in its outer scope blocks.
18862
18863 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
18864 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
18865 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
18866 function.
18867
18868 @item block at @var{address} out of order
18869
18870 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
18871 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
18872 do so.
18873
18874 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
18875 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
18876 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
18877 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
18878 Messages}.)
18879
18880 @item bad block start address patched
18881
18882 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
18883 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
18884 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
18885
18886 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
18887 starting on the previous source line.
18888
18889 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
18890
18891 @cindex foo
18892 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
18893 larger than the size of the string table.
18894
18895 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
18896 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
18897 with this name.
18898
18899 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
18900
18901 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
18902 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
18903 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
18904
18905 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
18906 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
18907 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
18908 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
18909 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
18910 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
18911
18912 @item stub type has NULL name
18913
18914 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
18915
18916 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
18917 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
18918 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
18919 it.
18920
18921 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
18922
18923 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
18924
18925 @end table
18926
18927 @node Data Files
18928 @section GDB Data Files
18929
18930 @cindex prefix for data files
18931 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
18932 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
18933
18934 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
18935 is currently using.
18936
18937 @table @code
18938 @kindex set data-directory
18939 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
18940 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
18941 to @var{directory}.
18942
18943 @kindex show data-directory
18944 @item show data-directory
18945 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
18946 @end table
18947
18948 @cindex default data directory
18949 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
18950 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
18951 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
18952 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
18953 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
18954 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
18955 location.
18956
18957 The data directory may also be specified with the
18958 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
18959 @xref{Mode Options}.
18960
18961 @node Targets
18962 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
18963
18964 @cindex debugging target
18965 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
18966
18967 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
18968 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
18969 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
18970 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
18971 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
18972 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
18973 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
18974 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
18975
18976 @cindex target architecture
18977 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
18978 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
18979 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
18980 command.
18981
18982 @table @code
18983 @kindex set architecture
18984 @kindex show architecture
18985 @item set architecture @var{arch}
18986 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
18987 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
18988 supported architectures.
18989
18990 @item show architecture
18991 Show the current target architecture.
18992
18993 @item set processor
18994 @itemx processor
18995 @kindex set processor
18996 @kindex show processor
18997 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
18998 and @code{show architecture}.
18999 @end table
19000
19001 @menu
19002 * Active Targets:: Active targets
19003 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
19004 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
19005 @end menu
19006
19007 @node Active Targets
19008 @section Active Targets
19009
19010 @cindex stacking targets
19011 @cindex active targets
19012 @cindex multiple targets
19013
19014 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
19015 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
19016 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
19017 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
19018 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
19019 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
19020 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
19021 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
19022 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
19023
19024 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
19025 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
19026 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
19027 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
19028
19029 @node Target Commands
19030 @section Commands for Managing Targets
19031
19032 @table @code
19033 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
19034 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
19035 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
19036 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
19037 protocol of the target machine.
19038
19039 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
19040 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
19041 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
19042
19043 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
19044 after executing the command.
19045
19046 @kindex help target
19047 @item help target
19048 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
19049 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
19050 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
19051
19052 @item help target @var{name}
19053 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
19054 select it.
19055
19056 @kindex set gnutarget
19057 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
19058 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
19059 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
19060 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
19061 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
19062 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
19063
19064 @quotation
19065 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
19066 you must know the actual BFD name.
19067 @end quotation
19068
19069 @noindent
19070 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
19071
19072 @kindex show gnutarget
19073 @item show gnutarget
19074 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
19075 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
19076 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
19077 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
19078 @end table
19079
19080 @cindex common targets
19081 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
19082 configuration):
19083
19084 @table @code
19085 @kindex target
19086 @item target exec @var{program}
19087 @cindex executable file target
19088 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
19089 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
19090
19091 @item target core @var{filename}
19092 @cindex core dump file target
19093 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
19094 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
19095
19096 @item target remote @var{medium}
19097 @cindex remote target
19098 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
19099 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
19100 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
19101
19102 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
19103 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
19104
19105 @smallexample
19106 target remote /dev/ttya
19107 @end smallexample
19108
19109 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
19110 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
19111 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
19112 clobbered by the download.
19113
19114 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19115 @cindex built-in simulator target
19116 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
19117 In general,
19118 @smallexample
19119 target sim
19120 load
19121 run
19122 @end smallexample
19123 @noindent
19124 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
19125 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
19126 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
19127 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
19128 Processors}.
19129
19130 @item target native
19131 @cindex native target
19132 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
19133 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
19134 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
19135 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
19136
19137 @end table
19138
19139 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
19140 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
19141
19142 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
19143 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
19144 various aspects of this process.
19145
19146 @table @code
19147
19148 @item set hash
19149 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
19150 @cindex hash mark while downloading
19151 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
19152 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
19153 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
19154 monitor.
19155
19156 @item show hash
19157 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
19158 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
19159
19160 @item set debug monitor
19161 @kindex set debug monitor
19162 @cindex display remote monitor communications
19163 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
19164 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
19165
19166 @item show debug monitor
19167 @kindex show debug monitor
19168 Show the current status of displaying communications between
19169 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
19170 @end table
19171
19172 @table @code
19173
19174 @kindex load @var{filename}
19175 @item load @var{filename}
19176 @anchor{load}
19177 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
19178 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
19179 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
19180 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
19181 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
19182 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
19183
19184 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
19185 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
19186 target is @dots{}}''
19187
19188 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
19189 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
19190 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
19191 specifies a fixed address.
19192 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
19193
19194 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
19195 load programs into flash memory.
19196
19197 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
19198 @end table
19199
19200 @node Byte Order
19201 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
19202
19203 @cindex choosing target byte order
19204 @cindex target byte order
19205
19206 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
19207 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
19208 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
19209 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
19210 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
19211 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
19212
19213 @table @code
19214 @kindex set endian
19215 @item set endian big
19216 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
19217
19218 @item set endian little
19219 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
19220
19221 @item set endian auto
19222 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
19223 executable.
19224
19225 @item show endian
19226 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
19227
19228 @end table
19229
19230 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
19231 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
19232 target system.
19233
19234
19235 @node Remote Debugging
19236 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
19237 @cindex remote debugging
19238
19239 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
19240 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
19241 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
19242 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
19243 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
19244
19245 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
19246 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
19247 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
19248 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
19249 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
19250 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
19251
19252 Other remote targets may be available in your
19253 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
19254
19255 @menu
19256 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
19257 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
19258 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
19259 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
19260 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
19261 @end menu
19262
19263 @node Connecting
19264 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
19265 @cindex remote debugging, connecting
19266 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, connecting
19267 @cindex remote debugging, types of connections
19268 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, types of connections
19269 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target remote} mode
19270 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target extended-remote} mode
19271
19272 This section describes how to connect to a remote target, including the
19273 types of connections and their differences, how to set up executable and
19274 symbol files on the host and target, and the commands used for
19275 connecting to and disconnecting from the remote target.
19276
19277 @subsection Types of Remote Connections
19278
19279 @value{GDBN} supports two types of remote connections, @code{target remote}
19280 mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode. Note that many remote targets
19281 support only @code{target remote} mode. There are several major
19282 differences between the two types of connections, enumerated here:
19283
19284 @table @asis
19285
19286 @cindex remote debugging, detach and program exit
19287 @item Result of detach or program exit
19288 @strong{With target remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or you
19289 detach from it, @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target. When using
19290 @code{gdbserver}, @code{gdbserver} will exit.
19291
19292 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or
19293 you detach from it, @value{GDBN} remains connected to the target, even
19294 though no program is running. You can rerun the program, attach to a
19295 running program, or use @code{monitor} commands specific to the target.
19296
19297 When using @code{gdbserver} in this case, it does not exit unless it was
19298 invoked using the @option{--once} option. If the @option{--once} option
19299 was not used, you can ask @code{gdbserver} to exit using the
19300 @code{monitor exit} command (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
19301
19302 @item Specifying the program to debug
19303 For both connection types you use the @code{file} command to specify the
19304 program on the host system. If you are using @code{gdbserver} there are
19305 some differences in how to specify the location of the program on the
19306 target.
19307
19308 @strong{With target remote mode:} You must either specify the program to debug
19309 on the @code{gdbserver} command line or use the @option{--attach} option
19310 (@pxref{Attaching to a program,,Attaching to a Running Program}).
19311
19312 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
19313 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} You may specify the program to debug
19314 on the @code{gdbserver} command line, or you can load the program or attach
19315 to it using @value{GDBN} commands after connecting to @code{gdbserver}.
19316
19317 @anchor{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}
19318 You can start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
19319 or process ID to attach. To do this, use the @option{--multi} command line
19320 option. Then you can connect using @code{target extended-remote} and start
19321 the program you want to debug (see below for details on using the
19322 @code{run} command in this scenario). Note that the conditions under which
19323 @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN} connects to it
19324 (@code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}). The
19325 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
19326
19327 @item The @code{run} command
19328 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @code{run} command is not
19329 supported. Once a connection has been established, you can use all
19330 the usual @value{GDBN} commands to examine and change data. The
19331 remote program is already running, so you can use commands like
19332 @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}.
19333
19334 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} The @code{run} command is
19335 supported. The @code{run} command uses the value set by
19336 @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set remote exec-file}) to select
19337 the program to run. Command line arguments are supported, except for
19338 wildcard expansion and I/O redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
19339
19340 If you specify the program to debug on the command line, then the
19341 @code{run} command is not required to start execution, and you can
19342 resume using commands like @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue} as with
19343 @code{target remote} mode.
19344
19345 @anchor{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}
19346 @item Attaching
19347 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @value{GDBN} command @code{attach} is
19348 not supported. To attach to a running program using @code{gdbserver}, you
19349 must use the @option{--attach} option (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
19350
19351 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} To attach to a running program,
19352 you may use the @code{attach} command after the connection has been
19353 established. If you are using @code{gdbserver}, you may also invoke
19354 @code{gdbserver} using the @option{--attach} option
19355 (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
19356
19357 @end table
19358
19359 @anchor{Host and target files}
19360 @subsection Host and Target Files
19361 @cindex remote debugging, symbol files
19362 @cindex symbol files, remote debugging
19363
19364 @value{GDBN}, running on the host, needs access to symbol and debugging
19365 information for your program running on the target. This requires
19366 access to an unstripped copy of your program, and possibly any associated
19367 symbol files. Note that this section applies equally to both @code{target
19368 remote} mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode.
19369
19370 Some remote targets (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}, and
19371 @pxref{Host I/O Packets}) allow @value{GDBN} to access program files over
19372 the same connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. With such a
19373 target, if the remote program is unstripped, the only command you need is
19374 @code{target remote} (or @code{target extended-remote}).
19375
19376 If the remote program is stripped, or the target does not support remote
19377 program file access, start up @value{GDBN} using the name of the local
19378 unstripped copy of your program as the first argument, or use the
19379 @code{file} command. Use @code{set sysroot} to specify the location (on
19380 the host) of target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN} was compiled with
19381 the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}). Alternatively, you
19382 may use @code{set solib-search-path} to specify how @value{GDBN} locates
19383 target libraries.
19384
19385 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
19386 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
19387 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
19388 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
19389 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
19390 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
19391 programs.
19392
19393 @subsection Remote Connection Commands
19394 @cindex remote connection commands
19395 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
19396 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
19397 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
19398 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
19399 @code{target remote} and @code{target extended-remote} commands
19400 establish a connection to the target. Both commands accept the same
19401 arguments, which indicate the medium to use:
19402
19403 @table @code
19404
19405 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
19406 @itemx target extended-remote @var{serial-device}
19407 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
19408 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
19409 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
19410
19411 @smallexample
19412 target remote /dev/ttyb
19413 @end smallexample
19414
19415 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
19416 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
19417 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
19418 @code{target} command.
19419
19420 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
19421 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
19422 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
19423 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
19424 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
19425 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
19426 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
19427 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
19428 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
19429 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
19430 target.
19431
19432 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
19433 @code{manyfarms}:
19434
19435 @smallexample
19436 target remote manyfarms:2828
19437 @end smallexample
19438
19439 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
19440 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
19441 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
19442 port 1234 on your local machine:
19443
19444 @smallexample
19445 target remote :1234
19446 @end smallexample
19447 @noindent
19448
19449 Note that the colon is still required here.
19450
19451 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
19452 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
19453 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
19454 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
19455 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
19456
19457 @smallexample
19458 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
19459 @end smallexample
19460
19461 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
19462 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
19463 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
19464 cause havoc with your debugging session.
19465
19466 @item target remote | @var{command}
19467 @itemx target extended-remote | @var{command}
19468 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
19469 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
19470 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
19471 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
19472 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
19473 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
19474 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
19475 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
19476
19477 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
19478 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
19479 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
19480
19481 @end table
19482
19483 @cindex interrupting remote programs
19484 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
19485 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
19486 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
19487 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
19488 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
19489 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
19490
19491 @smallexample
19492 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
19493 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
19494 @end smallexample
19495
19496 In @code{target remote} mode, if you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons
19497 the remote debugging session. (If you decide you want to try again later,
19498 you can use @kbd{target remote} again to connect once more.) If you type
19499 @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN} goes back to waiting.
19500
19501 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, typing @kbd{n} will leave
19502 @value{GDBN} connected to the target.
19503
19504 @table @code
19505 @kindex detach (remote)
19506 @item detach
19507 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
19508 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
19509 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
19510 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
19511 command in @code{target remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to
19512 another target. In @code{target extended-remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is
19513 still connected to the target.
19514
19515 @kindex disconnect
19516 @item disconnect
19517 The @code{disconnect} command closes the connection to the target, and
19518 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
19519 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
19520 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
19521 another target.
19522
19523 @cindex send command to remote monitor
19524 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
19525 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
19526 @kindex monitor
19527 @item monitor @var{cmd}
19528 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
19529 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
19530 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
19531 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
19532 and implement.
19533 @end table
19534
19535 @node File Transfer
19536 @section Sending files to a remote system
19537 @cindex remote target, file transfer
19538 @cindex file transfer
19539 @cindex sending files to remote systems
19540
19541 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
19542 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
19543 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
19544 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
19545 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
19546 the only way to upload or download files.
19547
19548 Not all remote targets support these commands.
19549
19550 @table @code
19551 @kindex remote put
19552 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
19553 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
19554 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
19555
19556 @kindex remote get
19557 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
19558 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
19559 on the host system.
19560
19561 @kindex remote delete
19562 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
19563 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
19564
19565 @end table
19566
19567 @node Server
19568 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
19569
19570 @kindex gdbserver
19571 @cindex remote connection without stubs
19572 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
19573 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
19574 @code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}---but without
19575 linking in the usual debugging stub.
19576
19577 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
19578 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
19579 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
19580 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
19581 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
19582 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
19583 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
19584 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
19585 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
19586 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
19587 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
19588 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
19589 choice for debugging.
19590
19591 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
19592 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
19593 protocol.
19594
19595 @quotation
19596 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
19597 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
19598 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
19599 target system with the same privileges as the user running
19600 @code{gdbserver}.
19601 @end quotation
19602
19603 @anchor{Running gdbserver}
19604 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
19605 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
19606 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
19607
19608 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
19609 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
19610 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
19611 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
19612 system does all the symbol handling.
19613
19614 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
19615 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
19616 syntax is:
19617
19618 @smallexample
19619 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
19620 @end smallexample
19621
19622 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
19623 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
19624 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
19625 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
19626 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
19627 @file{/dev/com1}:
19628
19629 @smallexample
19630 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
19631 @end smallexample
19632
19633 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
19634 with it.
19635
19636 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
19637
19638 @smallexample
19639 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
19640 @end smallexample
19641
19642 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
19643 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
19644 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
19645 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
19646 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
19647 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
19648 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
19649 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
19650 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
19651 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
19652 @code{target remote} command.
19653
19654 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
19655 with ssh:
19656
19657 @smallexample
19658 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
19659 @end smallexample
19660
19661 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
19662 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
19663 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
19664 You could elide it if you want to.
19665
19666 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
19667 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
19668 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
19669 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
19670
19671 @anchor{Attaching to a program}
19672 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
19673 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
19674 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
19675
19676 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
19677 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
19678
19679 @smallexample
19680 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
19681 @end smallexample
19682
19683 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
19684 necessary to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
19685
19686 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, you can also attach using the
19687 @value{GDBN} attach command
19688 (@pxref{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}).
19689
19690 @pindex pidof
19691 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
19692 @code{pidof} utility:
19693
19694 @smallexample
19695 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
19696 @end smallexample
19697
19698 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
19699 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
19700 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
19701
19702 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
19703
19704 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP
19705 port.
19706
19707 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
19708 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
19709 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
19710 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
19711 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
19712 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
19713 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
19714 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
19715
19716 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
19717 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
19718 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
19719
19720 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
19721 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
19722 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
19723 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
19724 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
19725 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
19726 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
19727 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
19728 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
19729 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
19730 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
19731 instance closes its port after the first connection.
19732
19733 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
19734 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
19735
19736 You can use the @option{--multi} option to start @code{gdbserver} without
19737 specifying a program to debug or a process to attach to. Then you can
19738 attach in @code{target extended-remote} mode and run or attach to a
19739 program. For more information,
19740 @pxref{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}.
19741
19742 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
19743 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
19744 status information about the debugging process.
19745 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
19746 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
19747 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
19748 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
19749
19750 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
19751 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
19752 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
19753 Possible options are:
19754
19755 @table @code
19756 @item none
19757 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
19758 @item all
19759 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
19760 @item timestamps
19761 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
19762 @end table
19763
19764 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
19765 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
19766
19767 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
19768 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
19769 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
19770 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
19771 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
19772
19773 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
19774 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
19775 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
19776 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
19777
19778 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
19779 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
19780 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
19781 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
19782
19783 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
19784 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
19785 environment:
19786
19787 @smallexample
19788 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
19789 @end smallexample
19790
19791 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
19792
19793 The basic procedure for connecting to the remote target is:
19794 @itemize
19795
19796 @item
19797 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
19798
19799 @item
19800 Make sure you have the necessary symbol files
19801 (@pxref{Host and target files}).
19802 Load symbols for your application using the @code{file} command before you
19803 connect. Use @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your
19804 @value{GDBN} was compiled with the correct sysroot using
19805 @code{--with-sysroot}).
19806
19807 @item
19808 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19809 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
19810 the @code{target} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
19811 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
19812 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
19813 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{target remote} mode, since the
19814 program is already on the target.
19815
19816 @end itemize
19817
19818 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
19819 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
19820 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
19821
19822 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
19823 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
19824 Here are the available commands.
19825
19826 @table @code
19827 @item monitor help
19828 List the available monitor commands.
19829
19830 @item monitor set debug 0
19831 @itemx monitor set debug 1
19832 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
19833
19834 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
19835 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
19836 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
19837 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
19838
19839 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
19840 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
19841 Possible options are:
19842
19843 @table @code
19844 @item none
19845 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
19846 @item all
19847 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
19848 @item timestamps
19849 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
19850 @end table
19851
19852 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
19853 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
19854
19855 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
19856 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
19857 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
19858 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
19859 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
19860 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
19861
19862 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
19863 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
19864
19865 @item monitor exit
19866 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
19867 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
19868 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
19869 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
19870 of a multi-process mode debug session.
19871
19872 @end table
19873
19874 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
19875 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
19876
19877 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
19878 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
19879
19880 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
19881 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
19882 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
19883 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
19884 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
19885 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
19886 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
19887 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
19888 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
19889 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
19890 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
19891 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
19892
19893 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
19894
19895 @table @code
19896 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
19897
19898 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
19899 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
19900 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
19901
19902 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
19903
19904 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
19905 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
19906 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
19907 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
19908 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
19909 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
19910
19911 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
19912
19913 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
19914 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
19915 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
19916 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
19917 command for that. For example:
19918
19919 @smallexample
19920 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
19921 @end smallexample
19922
19923 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
19924 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
19925 @end table
19926
19927 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
19928 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
19929 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
19930 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
19931 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
19932 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
19933 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
19934 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
19935 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
19936 @code{gdbserver} like so:
19937
19938 @smallexample
19939 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
19940 @end smallexample
19941
19942 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
19943
19944 @smallexample
19945 $ gdb myprogram
19946 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
19947 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
19948 (@value{GDBP}) b main
19949 (@value{GDBP}) continue
19950 @end smallexample
19951
19952 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
19953 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
19954 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
19955 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
19956 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
19957 tracing.
19958
19959 @node Remote Configuration
19960 @section Remote Configuration
19961
19962 @kindex set remote
19963 @kindex show remote
19964 This section documents the configuration options available when
19965 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
19966 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
19967 system-call-allowed}.
19968
19969 @table @code
19970 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
19971 @cindex address size for remote targets
19972 @cindex bits in remote address
19973 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
19974 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
19975 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
19976 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
19977
19978 @item show remoteaddresssize
19979 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
19980
19981 @item set serial baud @var{n}
19982 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
19983 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
19984 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
19985 remote targets.
19986
19987 @item show serial baud
19988 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
19989
19990 @item set serial parity @var{parity}
19991 Set the parity for the remote serial I/O. Supported values of @var{parity} are:
19992 @code{even}, @code{none}, and @code{odd}. The default is @code{none}.
19993
19994 @item show serial parity
19995 Show the current parity of the serial port.
19996
19997 @item set remotebreak
19998 @cindex interrupt remote programs
19999 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
20000 @anchor{set remotebreak}
20001 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
20002 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
20003 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
20004 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
20005 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
20006
20007 @item show remotebreak
20008 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
20009 interrupt the remote program.
20010
20011 @item set remoteflow on
20012 @itemx set remoteflow off
20013 @kindex set remoteflow
20014 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
20015 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
20016
20017 @item show remoteflow
20018 @kindex show remoteflow
20019 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
20020
20021 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
20022 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
20023 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
20024 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
20025 @code{ascii}.
20026
20027 @item show remotelogbase
20028 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
20029 protocol.
20030
20031 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
20032 @cindex record serial communications on file
20033 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
20034 default is not to record at all.
20035
20036 @item show remotelogfile.
20037 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
20038 serial communications.
20039
20040 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
20041 @cindex timeout for serial communications
20042 @cindex remote timeout
20043 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
20044 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
20045
20046 @item show remotetimeout
20047 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
20048 responses.
20049
20050 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
20051 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
20052 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
20053 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
20054 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
20055 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
20056 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
20057 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
20058
20059 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
20060 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
20061 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
20062 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
20063 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
20064 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
20065 as unlimited.
20066
20067 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
20068 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
20069 a remote hardware watchpoint.
20070
20071 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
20072 @itemx show remote exec-file
20073 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
20074 @cindex executable file, for remote target
20075 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
20076 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
20077 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
20078 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
20079
20080 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
20081 @cindex interrupt remote programs
20082 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
20083 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
20084 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
20085 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
20086 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
20087 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
20088 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
20089 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
20090
20091 @item show interrupt-sequence
20092 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
20093 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
20094 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
20095 also known as Magic SysRq g.
20096
20097 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
20098 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
20099 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
20100 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
20101 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
20102 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
20103
20104 @item show interrupt-on-connect
20105 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
20106 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
20107
20108 @kindex set tcp
20109 @kindex show tcp
20110 @item set tcp auto-retry on
20111 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
20112 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
20113 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
20114 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
20115 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
20116 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
20117 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
20118 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
20119
20120 @item set tcp auto-retry off
20121 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
20122
20123 @item show tcp auto-retry
20124 Show the current auto-retry setting.
20125
20126 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
20127 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
20128 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
20129 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
20130 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
20131 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
20132 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
20133 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
20134 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
20135 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
20136 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
20137
20138 @item show tcp connect-timeout
20139 Show the current connection timeout setting.
20140 @end table
20141
20142 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
20143 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
20144 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
20145 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
20146 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
20147 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
20148 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
20149 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
20150 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
20151
20152 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
20153 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
20154 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
20155 @value{GDBN} developers.
20156
20157 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
20158 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
20159 are:
20160
20161 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
20162 @item Command Name
20163 @tab Remote Packet
20164 @tab Related Features
20165
20166 @item @code{fetch-register}
20167 @tab @code{p}
20168 @tab @code{info registers}
20169
20170 @item @code{set-register}
20171 @tab @code{P}
20172 @tab @code{set}
20173
20174 @item @code{binary-download}
20175 @tab @code{X}
20176 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
20177
20178 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
20179 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
20180 @tab @code{info auxv}
20181
20182 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
20183 @tab @code{qSymbol}
20184 @tab Detecting multiple threads
20185
20186 @item @code{attach}
20187 @tab @code{vAttach}
20188 @tab @code{attach}
20189
20190 @item @code{verbose-resume}
20191 @tab @code{vCont}
20192 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
20193
20194 @item @code{run}
20195 @tab @code{vRun}
20196 @tab @code{run}
20197
20198 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
20199 @tab @code{Z0}
20200 @tab @code{break}
20201
20202 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
20203 @tab @code{Z1}
20204 @tab @code{hbreak}
20205
20206 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
20207 @tab @code{Z2}
20208 @tab @code{watch}
20209
20210 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
20211 @tab @code{Z3}
20212 @tab @code{rwatch}
20213
20214 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
20215 @tab @code{Z4}
20216 @tab @code{awatch}
20217
20218 @item @code{pid-to-exec-file}
20219 @tab @code{qXfer:exec-file:read}
20220 @tab @code{attach}, @code{run}
20221
20222 @item @code{target-features}
20223 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
20224 @tab @code{set architecture}
20225
20226 @item @code{library-info}
20227 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
20228 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
20229
20230 @item @code{memory-map}
20231 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
20232 @tab @code{info mem}
20233
20234 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
20235 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
20236 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
20237
20238 @item @code{read-spu-object}
20239 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
20240 @tab @code{info spu}
20241
20242 @item @code{write-spu-object}
20243 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
20244 @tab @code{info spu}
20245
20246 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
20247 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
20248 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
20249
20250 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
20251 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
20252 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
20253
20254 @item @code{threads}
20255 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
20256 @tab @code{info threads}
20257
20258 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
20259 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
20260 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
20261
20262 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
20263 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
20264 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
20265
20266 @item @code{search-memory}
20267 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
20268 @tab @code{find}
20269
20270 @item @code{supported-packets}
20271 @tab @code{qSupported}
20272 @tab Remote communications parameters
20273
20274 @item @code{catch-syscalls}
20275 @tab @code{QCatchSyscalls}
20276 @tab @code{catch syscall}
20277
20278 @item @code{pass-signals}
20279 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
20280 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
20281
20282 @item @code{program-signals}
20283 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
20284 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
20285
20286 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
20287 @tab @code{vFile:close}
20288 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20289
20290 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
20291 @tab @code{vFile:open}
20292 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20293
20294 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
20295 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
20296 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20297
20298 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
20299 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
20300 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20301
20302 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
20303 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
20304 @tab @code{remote delete}
20305
20306 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
20307 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
20308 @tab Host I/O
20309
20310 @item @code{hostio-fstat-packet}
20311 @tab @code{vFile:fstat}
20312 @tab Host I/O
20313
20314 @item @code{hostio-setfs-packet}
20315 @tab @code{vFile:setfs}
20316 @tab Host I/O
20317
20318 @item @code{noack-packet}
20319 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
20320 @tab Packet acknowledgment
20321
20322 @item @code{osdata}
20323 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
20324 @tab @code{info os}
20325
20326 @item @code{query-attached}
20327 @tab @code{qAttached}
20328 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
20329
20330 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
20331 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
20332 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
20333
20334 @item @code{trace-status}
20335 @tab @code{qTStatus}
20336 @tab @code{tstatus}
20337
20338 @item @code{traceframe-info}
20339 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
20340 @tab Traceframe info
20341
20342 @item @code{install-in-trace}
20343 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
20344 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
20345
20346 @item @code{disable-randomization}
20347 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
20348 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
20349
20350 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
20351 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
20352 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
20353
20354 @item @code{multiprocess-extensions}
20355 @tab @code{multiprocess extensions}
20356 @tab Debug multiple processes and remote process PID awareness
20357
20358 @item @code{swbreak-feature}
20359 @tab @code{swbreak stop reason}
20360 @tab @code{break}
20361
20362 @item @code{hwbreak-feature}
20363 @tab @code{hwbreak stop reason}
20364 @tab @code{hbreak}
20365
20366 @item @code{fork-event-feature}
20367 @tab @code{fork stop reason}
20368 @tab @code{fork}
20369
20370 @item @code{vfork-event-feature}
20371 @tab @code{vfork stop reason}
20372 @tab @code{vfork}
20373
20374 @item @code{exec-event-feature}
20375 @tab @code{exec stop reason}
20376 @tab @code{exec}
20377
20378 @item @code{thread-events}
20379 @tab @code{QThreadEvents}
20380 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
20381
20382 @item @code{no-resumed-stop-reply}
20383 @tab @code{no resumed thread left stop reply}
20384 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
20385
20386 @end multitable
20387
20388 @node Remote Stub
20389 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
20390
20391 @cindex debugging stub, example
20392 @cindex remote stub, example
20393 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
20394 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
20395 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
20396 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
20397 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
20398 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
20399 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
20400 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
20401
20402 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
20403 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
20404 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
20405 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
20406 program, you need:
20407
20408 @enumerate
20409 @item
20410 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
20411 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
20412 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
20413
20414 @item
20415 A C subroutine library to support your program's
20416 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
20417
20418 @item
20419 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
20420 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
20421 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
20422 documentation.
20423 @end enumerate
20424
20425 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
20426 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
20427 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
20428
20429 @table @emph
20430 @item On the host,
20431 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
20432 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
20433 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
20434
20435 @item On the target,
20436 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
20437 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
20438 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
20439
20440 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
20441 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
20442 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
20443 @end table
20444
20445 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
20446 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
20447 @sc{sparc} boards.
20448
20449 @cindex remote serial stub list
20450 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
20451
20452 @table @code
20453
20454 @item i386-stub.c
20455 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
20456 @cindex Intel
20457 @cindex i386
20458 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
20459
20460 @item m68k-stub.c
20461 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
20462 @cindex Motorola 680x0
20463 @cindex m680x0
20464 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
20465
20466 @item sh-stub.c
20467 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
20468 @cindex Renesas
20469 @cindex SH
20470 For Renesas SH architectures.
20471
20472 @item sparc-stub.c
20473 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
20474 @cindex Sparc
20475 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
20476
20477 @item sparcl-stub.c
20478 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
20479 @cindex Fujitsu
20480 @cindex SparcLite
20481 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
20482
20483 @end table
20484
20485 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
20486 recently added stubs.
20487
20488 @menu
20489 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
20490 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
20491 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
20492 @end menu
20493
20494 @node Stub Contents
20495 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
20496
20497 @cindex remote serial stub
20498 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
20499 subroutines:
20500
20501 @table @code
20502 @item set_debug_traps
20503 @findex set_debug_traps
20504 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
20505 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
20506 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
20507 program's startup code.
20508
20509 @item handle_exception
20510 @findex handle_exception
20511 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
20512 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
20513 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
20514 run when a trap is triggered.
20515
20516 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
20517 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
20518 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
20519 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
20520 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
20521 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
20522 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
20523 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
20524 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
20525 machine.
20526
20527 @item breakpoint
20528 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
20529 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
20530 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
20531 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
20532 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
20533 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
20534 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
20535 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
20536 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
20537 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
20538 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
20539
20540 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
20541 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
20542 start of your debugging session.
20543 @end table
20544
20545 @node Bootstrapping
20546 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
20547
20548 @cindex remote stub, support routines
20549 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
20550 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
20551 debugging target machine.
20552
20553 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
20554 serial port.
20555
20556 @table @code
20557 @item int getDebugChar()
20558 @findex getDebugChar
20559 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
20560 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
20561 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
20562
20563 @item void putDebugChar(int)
20564 @findex putDebugChar
20565 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
20566 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
20567 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
20568 @end table
20569
20570 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
20571 @cindex interrupting remote targets
20572 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
20573 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
20574 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
20575 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
20576 remote system to stop.
20577
20578 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
20579 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
20580 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
20581 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
20582
20583 Other routines you need to supply are:
20584
20585 @table @code
20586 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
20587 @findex exceptionHandler
20588 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
20589 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
20590 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
20591 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
20592 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
20593 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
20594 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
20595 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
20596 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
20597 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
20598 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
20599 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
20600 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
20601
20602 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
20603 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
20604 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
20605 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
20606 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
20607
20608 @item void flush_i_cache()
20609 @findex flush_i_cache
20610 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
20611 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
20612 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
20613
20614 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
20615 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
20616 @end table
20617
20618 @noindent
20619 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
20620
20621 @table @code
20622 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
20623 @findex memset
20624 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
20625 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
20626 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
20627 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
20628 @end table
20629
20630 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
20631 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
20632 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
20633 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
20634
20635
20636 @node Debug Session
20637 @subsection Putting it All Together
20638
20639 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
20640 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
20641 steps.
20642
20643 @enumerate
20644 @item
20645 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
20646 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
20647 @display
20648 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
20649 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
20650 @end display
20651
20652 @item
20653 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
20654 procedure is called:
20655
20656 @smallexample
20657 set_debug_traps();
20658 breakpoint();
20659 @end smallexample
20660
20661 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
20662 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
20663 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
20664 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
20665 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
20666 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
20667 progress.
20668
20669 @item
20670 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
20671 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
20672
20673 @smallexample
20674 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
20675 @end smallexample
20676
20677 @noindent
20678 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
20679 function in your program, that function is called when
20680 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
20681 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
20682 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
20683
20684 @item
20685 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
20686 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
20687
20688 @item
20689 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
20690 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
20691
20692 @item
20693 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
20694 @c document that. FIXME.
20695 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
20696 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
20697
20698 @item
20699 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
20700 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
20701
20702 @end enumerate
20703
20704 @node Configurations
20705 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
20706
20707 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
20708 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
20709 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
20710
20711 There are three major categories of configurations: native
20712 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
20713 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
20714 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
20715 are quite different from each other.
20716
20717 @menu
20718 * Native::
20719 * Embedded OS::
20720 * Embedded Processors::
20721 * Architectures::
20722 @end menu
20723
20724 @node Native
20725 @section Native
20726
20727 This section describes details specific to particular native
20728 configurations.
20729
20730 @menu
20731 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
20732 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
20733 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
20734 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
20735 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
20736 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
20737 @end menu
20738
20739 @node BSD libkvm Interface
20740 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
20741
20742 @cindex libkvm
20743 @cindex kernel memory image
20744 @cindex kernel crash dump
20745
20746 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
20747 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
20748 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
20749 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
20750 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
20751 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
20752 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
20753 @code{kvm} target:
20754
20755 @smallexample
20756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
20757 @end smallexample
20758
20759 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
20760 argument:
20761
20762 @smallexample
20763 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
20764 @end smallexample
20765
20766 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
20767 available:
20768
20769 @table @code
20770 @kindex kvm
20771 @item kvm pcb
20772 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
20773
20774 @item kvm proc
20775 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
20776 modern FreeBSD systems.
20777 @end table
20778
20779 @node SVR4 Process Information
20780 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
20781 @cindex /proc
20782 @cindex examine process image
20783 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
20784
20785 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
20786 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
20787 process using file-system subroutines.
20788
20789 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
20790 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
20791 information about the process running your program, or about any
20792 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
20793 @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris, for example.
20794
20795 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
20796 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
20797
20798 @table @code
20799 @kindex info proc
20800 @cindex process ID
20801 @item info proc
20802 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
20803 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
20804 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
20805 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
20806 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
20807 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
20808 executable file's absolute file name.
20809
20810 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
20811 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
20812 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
20813 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
20814 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
20815 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
20816
20817 @item info proc cmdline
20818 @cindex info proc cmdline
20819 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
20820 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20821
20822 @item info proc cwd
20823 @cindex info proc cwd
20824 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
20825 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20826
20827 @item info proc exe
20828 @cindex info proc exe
20829 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
20830 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20831
20832 @item info proc mappings
20833 @cindex memory address space mappings
20834 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
20835 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
20836 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
20837 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
20838 memory access rights to that range.
20839
20840 @item info proc stat
20841 @itemx info proc status
20842 @cindex process detailed status information
20843 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
20844 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
20845 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
20846 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
20847 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
20848 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
20849 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
20850
20851 @item info proc all
20852 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
20853 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
20854
20855 @ignore
20856 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
20857 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
20858 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
20859 @kindex info proc times
20860 @item info proc times
20861 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
20862 its children.
20863
20864 @kindex info proc id
20865 @item info proc id
20866 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
20867 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
20868 @end ignore
20869
20870 @item set procfs-trace
20871 @kindex set procfs-trace
20872 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
20873 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
20874
20875 @item show procfs-trace
20876 @kindex show procfs-trace
20877 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
20878
20879 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
20880 @kindex set procfs-file
20881 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
20882 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
20883 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
20884 standard output.
20885
20886 @item show procfs-file
20887 @kindex show procfs-file
20888 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
20889
20890 @item proc-trace-entry
20891 @itemx proc-trace-exit
20892 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
20893 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
20894 @kindex proc-trace-entry
20895 @kindex proc-trace-exit
20896 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
20897 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
20898 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
20899 from the @code{syscall} interface.
20900
20901 @item info pidlist
20902 @kindex info pidlist
20903 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
20904 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
20905 processes and all the threads within each process.
20906
20907 @item info meminfo
20908 @kindex info meminfo
20909 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
20910 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
20911 @end table
20912
20913 @node DJGPP Native
20914 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
20915 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
20916 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
20917 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
20918
20919 @cindex DPMI
20920 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
20921 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
20922 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
20923 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
20924
20925 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
20926 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
20927 subsection describes those commands.
20928
20929 @table @code
20930 @kindex info dos
20931 @item info dos
20932 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
20933 information about the target system and important OS structures.
20934
20935 @kindex sysinfo
20936 @cindex MS-DOS system info
20937 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
20938 @item info dos sysinfo
20939 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
20940 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
20941 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
20942
20943 @cindex GDT
20944 @cindex LDT
20945 @cindex IDT
20946 @cindex segment descriptor tables
20947 @cindex descriptor tables display
20948 @item info dos gdt
20949 @itemx info dos ldt
20950 @itemx info dos idt
20951 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
20952 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
20953 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
20954 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
20955 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
20956 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
20957 rights.
20958
20959 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
20960 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
20961 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
20962 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
20963 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
20964
20965 @cindex garbled pointers
20966 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
20967 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
20968 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
20969 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
20970 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
20971 debugged program's data segment:
20972
20973 @smallexample
20974 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
20975 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
20976 @end smallexample
20977
20978 @noindent
20979 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
20980 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
20981
20982 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
20983 @item info dos pde
20984 @itemx info dos pte
20985 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
20986 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
20987 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
20988 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
20989 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
20990 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
20991 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
20992 that is currently in use.
20993
20994 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
20995 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
20996 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
20997 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
20998 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
20999 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
21000 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
21001
21002 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
21003 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
21004 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
21005 controller.
21006
21007 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
21008
21009 @cindex physical address from linear address
21010 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
21011 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
21012 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
21013 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
21014 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
21015 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
21016 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
21017
21018 @smallexample
21019 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
21020 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
21021 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
21022 @end smallexample
21023
21024 @noindent
21025 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
21026 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
21027 attributes of that page.
21028
21029 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
21030 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
21031 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
21032 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
21033 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
21034 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
21035
21036 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
21037 transfer buffer:
21038
21039 @smallexample
21040 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
21041 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
21042 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
21043 @end smallexample
21044
21045 @noindent
21046 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
21047 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
21048 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
21049 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
21050 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
21051
21052 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
21053 @end table
21054
21055 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
21056 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
21057 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
21058 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
21059
21060 @table @code
21061 @kindex set com1base
21062 @kindex set com1irq
21063 @kindex set com2base
21064 @kindex set com2irq
21065 @kindex set com3base
21066 @kindex set com3irq
21067 @kindex set com4base
21068 @kindex set com4irq
21069 @item set com1base @var{addr}
21070 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
21071 port.
21072
21073 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
21074 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
21075 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
21076
21077 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
21078 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
21079 other 3 COM ports.
21080
21081 @kindex show com1base
21082 @kindex show com1irq
21083 @kindex show com2base
21084 @kindex show com2irq
21085 @kindex show com3base
21086 @kindex show com3irq
21087 @kindex show com4base
21088 @kindex show com4irq
21089 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
21090 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
21091 lines used by the COM ports.
21092
21093 @item info serial
21094 @kindex info serial
21095 @cindex DOS serial port status
21096 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
21097 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
21098 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
21099 counts of various errors encountered so far.
21100 @end table
21101
21102
21103 @node Cygwin Native
21104 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
21105 @cindex MS Windows debugging
21106 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
21107 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
21108
21109 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
21110 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
21111
21112 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
21113 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
21114 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
21115 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
21116 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
21117 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
21118 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
21119 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
21120
21121 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
21122 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
21123 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
21124
21125 @table @code
21126 @kindex info w32
21127 @item info w32
21128 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
21129 information about the target system and important OS structures.
21130
21131 @item info w32 selector
21132 This command displays information returned by
21133 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
21134 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
21135 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
21136 Without argument, this command displays information
21137 about the six segment registers.
21138
21139 @item info w32 thread-information-block
21140 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
21141 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
21142 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
21143
21144 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
21145 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
21146 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
21147 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
21148 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
21149 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
21150 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
21151 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
21152 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
21153 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
21154 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
21155
21156 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
21157 @item show cygwin-exceptions
21158 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
21159 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
21160
21161 @kindex set new-console
21162 @item set new-console @var{mode}
21163 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
21164 be started in a new console on next start.
21165 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
21166 be started in the same console as the debugger.
21167
21168 @kindex show new-console
21169 @item show new-console
21170 Displays whether a new console is used
21171 when the debuggee is started.
21172
21173 @kindex set new-group
21174 @item set new-group @var{mode}
21175 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
21176 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
21177 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
21178 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
21179
21180 @kindex show new-group
21181 @item show new-group
21182 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
21183
21184 @kindex set debugevents
21185 @item set debugevents
21186 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
21187 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
21188 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
21189 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
21190 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
21191
21192 @kindex set debugexec
21193 @item set debugexec
21194 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
21195 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
21196
21197 @kindex set debugexceptions
21198 @item set debugexceptions
21199 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
21200 debuggee seen by the debugger.
21201
21202 @kindex set debugmemory
21203 @item set debugmemory
21204 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
21205 and writes by the debugger.
21206
21207 @kindex set shell
21208 @item set shell
21209 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
21210 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
21211
21212 @kindex show shell
21213 @item show shell
21214 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
21215
21216 @end table
21217
21218 @menu
21219 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
21220 @end menu
21221
21222 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
21223 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
21224 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
21225 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
21226
21227 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
21228 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
21229 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
21230 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
21231 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
21232 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
21233 ``minimal symbols''.
21234
21235 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
21236 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
21237 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
21238 program run once to completion.
21239
21240 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
21241
21242 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
21243 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
21244 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
21245 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
21246 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
21247 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
21248 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
21249 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
21250 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
21251
21252 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
21253 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
21254 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
21255 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
21256 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
21257 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
21258
21259 @smallexample
21260 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
21261 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
21262
21263 Non-debugging symbols:
21264 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
21265 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
21266 @end smallexample
21267
21268 @smallexample
21269 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
21270 All functions matching regular expression "!":
21271
21272 Non-debugging symbols:
21273 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
21274 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
21275 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
21276 [etc...]
21277 @end smallexample
21278
21279 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
21280
21281 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
21282 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
21283 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
21284 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
21285 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
21286 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
21287 a function within a DLL without a running program.
21288
21289 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
21290 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
21291 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
21292 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
21293 problem:
21294
21295 @smallexample
21296 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
21297 $1 = 268572168
21298 @end smallexample
21299
21300 @smallexample
21301 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
21302 0x10021610: "\230y\""
21303 @end smallexample
21304
21305 And two possible solutions:
21306
21307 @smallexample
21308 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
21309 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
21310 @end smallexample
21311
21312 @smallexample
21313 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
21314 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
21315 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
21316 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
21317 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
21318 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
21319 @end smallexample
21320
21321 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
21322 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
21323 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
21324 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
21325 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
21326
21327 @smallexample
21328 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
21329 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
21330 @end smallexample
21331
21332 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
21333 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
21334 safe.
21335
21336 @node Hurd Native
21337 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
21338 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
21339
21340 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
21341 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
21342
21343 @table @code
21344 @item set signals
21345 @itemx set sigs
21346 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
21347 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
21348 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
21349 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
21350 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
21351 @code{signals}.
21352
21353 @item show signals
21354 @itemx show sigs
21355 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
21356 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
21357 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
21358
21359 @item set signal-thread
21360 @itemx set sigthread
21361 @kindex set signal-thread
21362 @kindex set sigthread
21363 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
21364 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
21365 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
21366 signal-thread}.
21367
21368 @item show signal-thread
21369 @itemx show sigthread
21370 @kindex show signal-thread
21371 @kindex show sigthread
21372 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
21373 delivered a signal.
21374
21375 @item set stopped
21376 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
21377 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
21378 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
21379 continued by delivering a signal to it.
21380
21381 @item show stopped
21382 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
21383 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
21384 stopped.
21385
21386 @item set exceptions
21387 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
21388 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
21389 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
21390 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
21391 trapping on.
21392
21393 @item show exceptions
21394 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
21395 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
21396
21397 @item set task pause
21398 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
21399 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
21400 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
21401 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
21402 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
21403 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
21404 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
21405 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
21406 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
21407
21408 @item show task pause
21409 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
21410 Show the current state of task suspension.
21411
21412 @item set task detach-suspend-count
21413 @cindex task suspend count
21414 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21415 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
21416 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
21417
21418 @item show task detach-suspend-count
21419 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
21420
21421 @item set task exception-port
21422 @itemx set task excp
21423 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21424 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
21425 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
21426 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
21427
21428 @item set noninvasive
21429 @cindex noninvasive task options
21430 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
21431 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
21432 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
21433 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
21434
21435 @item info send-rights
21436 @itemx info receive-rights
21437 @itemx info port-rights
21438 @itemx info port-sets
21439 @itemx info dead-names
21440 @itemx info ports
21441 @itemx info psets
21442 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21443 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21444 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21445 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21446 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21447 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
21448 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
21449 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
21450 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
21451
21452 @item set thread pause
21453 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
21454 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21455 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
21456 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
21457 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
21458 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
21459 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
21460 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
21461 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
21462 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
21463 only the current thread.
21464
21465 @item show thread pause
21466 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
21467 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
21468
21469 @item set thread run
21470 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
21471
21472 @item show thread run
21473 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
21474
21475 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
21476 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21477 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21478 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
21479 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
21480 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
21481 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
21482
21483 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
21484 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
21485 detaching.
21486
21487 @item set thread exception-port
21488 @itemx set thread excp
21489 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
21490 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
21491 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
21492
21493 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
21494 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
21495 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
21496 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
21497
21498 @item set thread default
21499 @itemx show thread default
21500 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21501 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
21502 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
21503 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
21504 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
21505 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
21506 the non-default commands.
21507 @end table
21508
21509 @node Darwin
21510 @subsection Darwin
21511 @cindex Darwin
21512
21513 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
21514
21515 @table @code
21516 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
21517 @kindex set debug darwin
21518 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
21519 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
21520
21521 @item show debug darwin
21522 @kindex show debug darwin
21523 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
21524
21525 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
21526 @kindex set debug mach-o
21527 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
21528 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
21529 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
21530 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
21531 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
21532 usage.
21533
21534 @item show debug mach-o
21535 @kindex show debug mach-o
21536 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
21537
21538 @item set mach-exceptions on
21539 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
21540 @kindex set mach-exceptions
21541 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
21542 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
21543 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
21544 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
21545
21546 @item show mach-exceptions
21547 @kindex show mach-exceptions
21548 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
21549 @end table
21550
21551
21552 @node Embedded OS
21553 @section Embedded Operating Systems
21554
21555 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
21556 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
21557 architectures.
21558
21559 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
21560 various real-time operating systems.
21561
21562 @node Embedded Processors
21563 @section Embedded Processors
21564
21565 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
21566 configurations.
21567
21568 @cindex send command to simulator
21569 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
21570 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
21571
21572 @table @code
21573 @item sim @var{command}
21574 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
21575 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
21576 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
21577 acceptable commands.
21578 @end table
21579
21580
21581 @menu
21582 * ARM:: ARM
21583 * M32R/SDI:: Renesas M32R/SDI
21584 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
21585 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
21586 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
21587 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
21588 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
21589 * CRIS:: CRIS
21590 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
21591 @end menu
21592
21593 @node ARM
21594 @subsection ARM
21595
21596 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
21597
21598 @table @code
21599 @item set arm disassembler
21600 @kindex set arm
21601 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
21602 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
21603
21604 @item show arm disassembler
21605 @kindex show arm
21606 Show the current disassembly style.
21607
21608 @item set arm apcs32
21609 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
21610 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
21611
21612 @item show arm apcs32
21613 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
21614
21615 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
21616 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
21617 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
21618
21619 @table @code
21620 @item auto
21621 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
21622 @item softfpa
21623 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
21624 processors.
21625 @item fpa
21626 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
21627 @item softvfp
21628 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
21629 @item vfp
21630 VFP co-processor.
21631 @end table
21632
21633 @item show arm fpu
21634 Show the current type of the FPU.
21635
21636 @item set arm abi
21637 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
21638
21639 @item show arm abi
21640 Show the currently used ABI.
21641
21642 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
21643 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
21644 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
21645 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
21646 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
21647 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
21648 register).
21649
21650 @item show arm fallback-mode
21651 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
21652
21653 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
21654 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
21655 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
21656 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
21657 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
21658
21659 @item show arm force-mode
21660 Show the current forced instruction mode.
21661
21662 @item set debug arm
21663 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
21664 target support subsystem.
21665
21666 @item show debug arm
21667 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
21668 @end table
21669
21670 @table @code
21671 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
21672 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
21673
21674 @table @code
21675 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
21676 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
21677 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
21678 The default value is @code{all}.
21679
21680 @table @code
21681 @item none
21682 @item demon
21683 @item angel
21684 @item redboot
21685 @item all
21686 @end table
21687 @end table
21688 @end table
21689
21690 @node M32R/SDI
21691 @subsection Renesas M32R/SDI
21692
21693 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
21694
21695 @table @code
21696 @item sdireset
21697 @kindex sdireset
21698 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
21699 This command resets the SDI connection.
21700
21701 @item sdistatus
21702 @kindex sdistatus
21703 This command shows the SDI connection status.
21704
21705 @item debug_chaos
21706 @kindex debug_chaos
21707 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
21708 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
21709
21710 @item use_debug_dma
21711 @kindex use_debug_dma
21712 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
21713
21714 @item use_mon_code
21715 @kindex use_mon_code
21716 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
21717
21718 @item use_ib_break
21719 @kindex use_ib_break
21720 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
21721
21722 @item use_dbt_break
21723 @kindex use_dbt_break
21724 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
21725 @end table
21726
21727 @node M68K
21728 @subsection M68k
21729
21730 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support.
21731
21732 @node MicroBlaze
21733 @subsection MicroBlaze
21734 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
21735 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
21736
21737 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
21738 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
21739 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
21740 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
21741 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
21742 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
21743 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
21744 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
21745 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
21746 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
21747 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
21748
21749 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
21750
21751 @table @code
21752 @item target remote :1234
21753 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
21754 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
21755
21756 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
21757 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
21758 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
21759
21760 @item load
21761 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
21762
21763 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
21764 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
21765
21766 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
21767 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
21768 @end table
21769
21770 @node MIPS Embedded
21771 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
21772
21773 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
21774 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
21775 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
21776 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
21777
21778 @need 1000
21779 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
21780
21781 @table @code
21782 @item target mips @var{port}
21783 @kindex target mips @var{port}
21784 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
21785 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
21786 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
21787 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
21788 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
21789 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
21790
21791 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
21792 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
21793 debugger:
21794
21795 @smallexample
21796 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
21797 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
21798 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
21799 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
21800 (@value{GDBP}) run
21801 @end smallexample
21802
21803 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
21804 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
21805 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
21806 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
21807 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
21808
21809 @item target pmon @var{port}
21810 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
21811 PMON ROM monitor.
21812
21813 @item target ddb @var{port}
21814 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
21815 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
21816
21817 @item target lsi @var{port}
21818 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
21819 LSI variant of PMON.
21820
21821 @end table
21822
21823
21824 @noindent
21825 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
21826
21827 @table @code
21828 @item set mipsfpu double
21829 @itemx set mipsfpu single
21830 @itemx set mipsfpu none
21831 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
21832 @itemx show mipsfpu
21833 @kindex set mipsfpu
21834 @kindex show mipsfpu
21835 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
21836 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
21837 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
21838 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
21839 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
21840 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
21841 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
21842 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
21843 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
21844 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
21845 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
21846 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
21847 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
21848
21849 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
21850 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
21851 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
21852
21853 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
21854 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
21855
21856 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
21857 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
21858 @itemx show timeout
21859 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
21860 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21861 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21862 @kindex set timeout
21863 @kindex show timeout
21864 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
21865 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
21866 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
21867 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
21868 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
21869 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
21870 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
21871 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
21872 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
21873 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
21874
21875 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
21876 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
21877 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
21878 to run before stopping.
21879
21880 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
21881 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21882 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
21883 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
21884 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
21885 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
21886
21887 @item show syn-garbage-limit
21888 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21889 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
21890 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
21891
21892 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
21893 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21894 @cindex remote monitor prompt
21895 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
21896 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
21897 @table @asis
21898 @item pmon target
21899 @samp{PMON}
21900 @item ddb target
21901 @samp{NEC010}
21902 @item lsi target
21903 @samp{PMON>}
21904 @end table
21905
21906 @item show monitor-prompt
21907 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21908 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
21909 remote monitor.
21910
21911 @item set monitor-warnings
21912 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21913 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
21914 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
21915 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
21916 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
21917
21918 @item show monitor-warnings
21919 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21920 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
21921
21922 @item pmon @var{command}
21923 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21924 @cindex send PMON command
21925 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
21926 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
21927 @end table
21928
21929 @node PowerPC Embedded
21930 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
21931
21932 @cindex DVC register
21933 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
21934 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
21935
21936 @smallexample
21937 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
21938 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
21939 @end smallexample
21940
21941 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
21942 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
21943 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
21944 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
21945 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
21946 or newer.
21947
21948 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
21949 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
21950 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
21951 watching variables of scalar types.
21952
21953 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
21954 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
21955
21956 @smallexample
21957 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
21958 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
21959 @end smallexample
21960
21961 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
21962 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
21963
21964 @cindex ranged breakpoint
21965 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
21966 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
21967 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
21968 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
21969 use the @code{break-range} command.
21970
21971 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
21972
21973 @table @code
21974 @kindex break-range
21975 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
21976 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
21977 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
21978 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
21979 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
21980 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
21981 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
21982 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
21983 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
21984
21985 @kindex set powerpc
21986 @item set powerpc soft-float
21987 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
21988 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
21989 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
21990 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21991
21992 @item set powerpc vector-abi
21993 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
21994 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
21995 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
21996 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
21997 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
21998 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
21999 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
22000
22001 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
22002 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
22003 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
22004 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
22005 address of its first byte.
22006
22007 @end table
22008
22009 @node AVR
22010 @subsection Atmel AVR
22011 @cindex AVR
22012
22013 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
22014 following AVR-specific commands:
22015
22016 @table @code
22017 @item info io_registers
22018 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
22019 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
22020 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
22021 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
22022 @end table
22023
22024 @node CRIS
22025 @subsection CRIS
22026 @cindex CRIS
22027
22028 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
22029 following CRIS-specific commands:
22030
22031 @table @code
22032 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
22033 @cindex CRIS version
22034 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
22035 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
22036 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
22037
22038 @item show cris-version
22039 Show the current CRIS version.
22040
22041 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
22042 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
22043 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
22044 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
22045 @code{R59}.
22046
22047 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
22048 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
22049
22050 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
22051 @cindex CRIS mode
22052 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
22053 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
22054 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
22055
22056 @item show cris-mode
22057 Show the current CRIS mode.
22058 @end table
22059
22060 @node Super-H
22061 @subsection Renesas Super-H
22062 @cindex Super-H
22063
22064 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
22065 commands:
22066
22067 @table @code
22068 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
22069 @kindex set sh calling-convention
22070 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
22071 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
22072 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
22073 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
22074 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
22075 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
22076 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
22077 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
22078 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
22079 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
22080
22081 @item show sh calling-convention
22082 @kindex show sh calling-convention
22083 Show the current calling convention setting.
22084
22085 @end table
22086
22087
22088 @node Architectures
22089 @section Architectures
22090
22091 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
22092 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
22093
22094 @menu
22095 * AArch64::
22096 * i386::
22097 * Alpha::
22098 * MIPS::
22099 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
22100 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
22101 * PowerPC::
22102 * Nios II::
22103 @end menu
22104
22105 @node AArch64
22106 @subsection AArch64
22107 @cindex AArch64 support
22108
22109 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
22110 following special commands:
22111
22112 @table @code
22113 @item set debug aarch64
22114 @kindex set debug aarch64
22115 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
22116 messages are to be displayed.
22117
22118 @item show debug aarch64
22119 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
22120
22121 @end table
22122
22123 @node i386
22124 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
22125
22126 @table @code
22127 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
22128 @kindex set struct-convention
22129 @cindex struct return convention
22130 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
22131 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
22132 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
22133 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
22134 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
22135 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
22136 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
22137 be returned in a register.
22138
22139 @item show struct-convention
22140 @kindex show struct-convention
22141 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
22142 from functions.
22143 @end table
22144
22145
22146 @subsubsection Intel @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
22147 @cindex Intel Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
22148
22149 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
22150 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
22151 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
22152 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
22153 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
22154 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
22155 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
22156
22157 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
22158 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
22159 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
22160 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
22161 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
22162 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
22163
22164 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
22165 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
22166 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
22167
22168 @smallexample
22169 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
22170 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
22171 @end smallexample
22172
22173 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
22174 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
22175 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
22176 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
22177 the pointer.
22178
22179 Bounds can also be stored in bounds tables, which are stored in
22180 application memory. These tables store bounds for pointers by specifying
22181 the bounds pointer's value along with its bounds. Evaluating and changing
22182 bounds located in bound tables is therefore interesting while investigating
22183 bugs on MPX context. @value{GDBN} provides commands for this purpose:
22184
22185 @table @code
22186 @item show mpx bound @var{pointer}
22187 @kindex show mpx bound
22188 Display bounds of the given @var{pointer}.
22189
22190 @item set mpx bound @var{pointer}, @var{lbound}, @var{ubound}
22191 @kindex set mpx bound
22192 Set the bounds of a pointer in the bound table.
22193 This command takes three parameters: @var{pointer} is the pointers
22194 whose bounds are to be changed, @var{lbound} and @var{ubound} are new values
22195 for lower and upper bounds respectively.
22196 @end table
22197
22198 @node Alpha
22199 @subsection Alpha
22200
22201 See the following section.
22202
22203 @node MIPS
22204 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
22205
22206 @cindex stack on Alpha
22207 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
22208 @cindex Alpha stack
22209 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
22210 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
22211 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
22212 find the beginning of a function.
22213
22214 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
22215 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
22216 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
22217 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
22218 commands:
22219
22220 @table @code
22221 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
22222 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
22223 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
22224 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
22225 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
22226 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
22227 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
22228 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
22229
22230 @item show heuristic-fence-post
22231 Display the current limit.
22232 @end table
22233
22234 @noindent
22235 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
22236 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
22237
22238 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
22239 programs:
22240
22241 @table @code
22242 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
22243 @kindex set mips abi
22244 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
22245 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
22246 values of @var{arg} are:
22247
22248 @table @samp
22249 @item auto
22250 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
22251 default).
22252 @item o32
22253 @item o64
22254 @item n32
22255 @item n64
22256 @item eabi32
22257 @item eabi64
22258 @end table
22259
22260 @item show mips abi
22261 @kindex show mips abi
22262 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
22263
22264 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
22265 @kindex set mips compression
22266 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
22267 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
22268 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
22269 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
22270 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
22271 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
22272 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
22273 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
22274 provided by the executable.
22275
22276 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
22277 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
22278 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
22279 identified as such.
22280
22281 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
22282 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
22283 implicitly from an executable.
22284
22285 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
22286 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
22287 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
22288 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
22289 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
22290
22291 @item show mips compression
22292 @kindex show mips compression
22293 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
22294 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
22295
22296 @item set mipsfpu
22297 @itemx show mipsfpu
22298 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
22299
22300 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
22301 @kindex set mips mask-address
22302 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
22303 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
22304 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
22305 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
22306 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
22307
22308 @item show mips mask-address
22309 @kindex show mips mask-address
22310 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
22311 not.
22312
22313 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22314 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22315 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
22316 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
22317 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
22318 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
22319
22320 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22321 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22322 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
22323
22324 @item set debug mips
22325 @kindex set debug mips
22326 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
22327 target code in @value{GDBN}.
22328
22329 @item show debug mips
22330 @kindex show debug mips
22331 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
22332 @end table
22333
22334
22335 @node HPPA
22336 @subsection HPPA
22337 @cindex HPPA support
22338
22339 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
22340 following special commands:
22341
22342 @table @code
22343 @item set debug hppa
22344 @kindex set debug hppa
22345 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
22346 messages are to be displayed.
22347
22348 @item show debug hppa
22349 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
22350
22351 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
22352 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
22353 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
22354 given @var{address}.
22355
22356 @end table
22357
22358
22359 @node SPU
22360 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
22361 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
22362 @cindex SPU
22363
22364 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
22365 it provides the following special commands:
22366
22367 @table @code
22368 @item info spu event
22369 @kindex info spu
22370 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
22371 and pending event status.
22372
22373 @item info spu signal
22374 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
22375 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
22376 notification channels.
22377
22378 @item info spu mailbox
22379 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
22380 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
22381 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
22382
22383 @item info spu dma
22384 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
22385 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
22386 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
22387
22388 @item info spu proxydma
22389 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
22390 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
22391 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
22392
22393 @end table
22394
22395 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
22396 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
22397 special commands:
22398
22399 @table @code
22400 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
22401 @kindex set spu
22402 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
22403 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
22404 function. The default is @code{off}.
22405
22406 @item show spu stop-on-load
22407 @kindex show spu
22408 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
22409
22410 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
22411 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
22412 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
22413 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
22414 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
22415 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
22416
22417 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
22418 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
22419
22420 @end table
22421
22422 @node PowerPC
22423 @subsection PowerPC
22424 @cindex PowerPC architecture
22425
22426 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
22427 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
22428 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
22429 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
22430 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
22431
22432 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
22433 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
22434 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
22435
22436 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
22437 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
22438
22439 @node Nios II
22440 @subsection Nios II
22441 @cindex Nios II architecture
22442
22443 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
22444 it provides the following special commands:
22445
22446 @table @code
22447
22448 @item set debug nios2
22449 @kindex set debug nios2
22450 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
22451 target code in @value{GDBN}.
22452
22453 @item show debug nios2
22454 @kindex show debug nios2
22455 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
22456 @end table
22457
22458 @node Controlling GDB
22459 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
22460
22461 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
22462 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
22463 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
22464 described here.
22465
22466 @menu
22467 * Prompt:: Prompt
22468 * Editing:: Command editing
22469 * Command History:: Command history
22470 * Screen Size:: Screen size
22471 * Numbers:: Numbers
22472 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
22473 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
22474 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
22475 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
22476 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
22477 @end menu
22478
22479 @node Prompt
22480 @section Prompt
22481
22482 @cindex prompt
22483
22484 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
22485 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
22486 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
22487 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
22488 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
22489 which one you are talking to.
22490
22491 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
22492 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
22493 or a prompt that does not.
22494
22495 @table @code
22496 @kindex set prompt
22497 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
22498 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
22499
22500 @kindex show prompt
22501 @item show prompt
22502 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
22503 @end table
22504
22505 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
22506 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
22507 are:
22508
22509 @table @code
22510 @kindex set extended-prompt
22511 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
22512 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
22513 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
22514 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
22515 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
22516 is displayed.
22517
22518 For example:
22519
22520 @smallexample
22521 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
22522 @end smallexample
22523
22524 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
22525 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
22526
22527 @kindex show extended-prompt
22528 @item show extended-prompt
22529 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
22530 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
22531 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
22532 @end table
22533
22534 @node Editing
22535 @section Command Editing
22536 @cindex readline
22537 @cindex command line editing
22538
22539 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
22540 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
22541 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
22542 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
22543 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
22544 debugging sessions.
22545
22546 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
22547 command @code{set}.
22548
22549 @table @code
22550 @kindex set editing
22551 @cindex editing
22552 @item set editing
22553 @itemx set editing on
22554 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
22555
22556 @item set editing off
22557 Disable command line editing.
22558
22559 @kindex show editing
22560 @item show editing
22561 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
22562 @end table
22563
22564 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22565 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
22566 @end ifset
22567 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22568 @xref{Command Line Editing},
22569 @end ifclear
22570 for more details about the Readline
22571 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
22572 encouraged to read that chapter.
22573
22574 @node Command History
22575 @section Command History
22576 @cindex command history
22577
22578 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
22579 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
22580 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
22581 history facility.
22582
22583 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
22584 package, to provide the history facility.
22585 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22586 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
22587 @end ifset
22588 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22589 @xref{Using History Interactively},
22590 @end ifclear
22591 for the detailed description of the History library.
22592
22593 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
22594 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
22595 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
22596 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
22597 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
22598 pressed on a line by itself.
22599
22600 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
22601 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
22602 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
22603 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
22604
22605 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
22606 history.
22607
22608 @table @code
22609 @cindex history substitution
22610 @cindex history file
22611 @kindex set history filename
22612 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
22613 @item set history filename @var{fname}
22614 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
22615 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
22616 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
22617 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
22618 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
22619 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
22620 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
22621 is not set.
22622
22623 @cindex save command history
22624 @kindex set history save
22625 @item set history save
22626 @itemx set history save on
22627 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
22628 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
22629
22630 @item set history save off
22631 Stop recording command history in a file.
22632
22633 @cindex history size
22634 @kindex set history size
22635 @cindex @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, environment variable
22636 @item set history size @var{size}
22637 @itemx set history size unlimited
22638 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
22639 This defaults to the value of the environment variable @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, or
22640 to 256 if this variable is not set. Non-numeric values of @env{GDBHISTSIZE}
22641 are ignored. If @var{size} is @code{unlimited} or if @env{GDBHISTSIZE} is
22642 either a negative number or the empty string, then the number of commands
22643 @value{GDBN} keeps in the history list is unlimited.
22644
22645 @cindex remove duplicate history
22646 @kindex set history remove-duplicates
22647 @item set history remove-duplicates @var{count}
22648 @itemx set history remove-duplicates unlimited
22649 Control the removal of duplicate history entries in the command history list.
22650 If @var{count} is non-zero, @value{GDBN} will look back at the last @var{count}
22651 history entries and remove the first entry that is a duplicate of the current
22652 entry being added to the command history list. If @var{count} is
22653 @code{unlimited} then this lookbehind is unbounded. If @var{count} is 0, then
22654 removal of duplicate history entries is disabled.
22655
22656 Only history entries added during the current session are considered for
22657 removal. This option is set to 0 by default.
22658
22659 @end table
22660
22661 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
22662 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22663 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
22664 @end ifset
22665 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22666 @xref{Event Designators},
22667 @end ifclear
22668 for more details.
22669
22670 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
22671 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
22672 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
22673 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
22674 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
22675 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
22676 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
22677 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
22678
22679 The commands to control history expansion are:
22680
22681 @table @code
22682 @item set history expansion on
22683 @itemx set history expansion
22684 @kindex set history expansion
22685 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
22686
22687 @item set history expansion off
22688 Disable history expansion.
22689
22690 @c @group
22691 @kindex show history
22692 @item show history
22693 @itemx show history filename
22694 @itemx show history save
22695 @itemx show history size
22696 @itemx show history expansion
22697 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
22698 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
22699 @c @end group
22700 @end table
22701
22702 @table @code
22703 @kindex show commands
22704 @cindex show last commands
22705 @cindex display command history
22706 @item show commands
22707 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
22708
22709 @item show commands @var{n}
22710 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
22711
22712 @item show commands +
22713 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
22714 @end table
22715
22716 @node Screen Size
22717 @section Screen Size
22718 @cindex size of screen
22719 @cindex screen size
22720 @cindex pagination
22721 @cindex page size
22722 @cindex pauses in output
22723
22724 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
22725 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
22726 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
22727 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
22728 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
22729 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
22730 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
22731 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
22732
22733 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
22734 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
22735 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
22736 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
22737 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
22738 width} commands:
22739
22740 @table @code
22741 @kindex set height
22742 @kindex set width
22743 @kindex show width
22744 @kindex show height
22745 @item set height @var{lpp}
22746 @itemx set height unlimited
22747 @itemx show height
22748 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
22749 @itemx set width unlimited
22750 @itemx show width
22751 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
22752 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
22753 commands display the current settings.
22754
22755 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
22756 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
22757 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
22758 buffer.
22759
22760 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
22761 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
22762
22763 @item set pagination on
22764 @itemx set pagination off
22765 @kindex set pagination
22766 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
22767 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
22768 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
22769 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
22770
22771 @item show pagination
22772 @kindex show pagination
22773 Show the current pagination mode.
22774 @end table
22775
22776 @node Numbers
22777 @section Numbers
22778 @cindex number representation
22779 @cindex entering numbers
22780
22781 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
22782 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
22783 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
22784 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
22785 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
22786 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
22787 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
22788 both input and output with the commands described below.
22789
22790 @table @code
22791 @kindex set input-radix
22792 @item set input-radix @var{base}
22793 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
22794 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22795 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
22796 example, any of
22797
22798 @smallexample
22799 set input-radix 012
22800 set input-radix 10.
22801 set input-radix 0xa
22802 @end smallexample
22803
22804 @noindent
22805 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
22806 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
22807 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
22808 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
22809 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
22810 change the radix.
22811
22812 @kindex set output-radix
22813 @item set output-radix @var{base}
22814 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
22815 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22816 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
22817
22818 @kindex show input-radix
22819 @item show input-radix
22820 Display the current default base for numeric input.
22821
22822 @kindex show output-radix
22823 @item show output-radix
22824 Display the current default base for numeric display.
22825
22826 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
22827 @itemx show radix
22828 @kindex set radix
22829 @kindex show radix
22830 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
22831 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
22832 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
22833 default value of 10.
22834
22835 @end table
22836
22837 @node ABI
22838 @section Configuring the Current ABI
22839
22840 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
22841 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
22842 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
22843 current ABI.
22844
22845 @cindex OS ABI
22846 @kindex set osabi
22847 @kindex show osabi
22848 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
22849
22850 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
22851 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
22852 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
22853 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
22854 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
22855 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
22856 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
22857 platform provides.
22858
22859 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
22860 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
22861 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
22862 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
22863
22864 @table @code
22865 @item show osabi
22866 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
22867
22868 @item set osabi
22869 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
22870
22871 @item set osabi @var{abi}
22872 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
22873 @end table
22874
22875 @cindex float promotion
22876
22877 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
22878 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
22879 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
22880 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
22881 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
22882 @code{double} and then passed.
22883
22884 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
22885 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
22886 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
22887
22888 @table @code
22889 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
22890 @item set coerce-float-to-double
22891 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
22892 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
22893 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
22894
22895 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
22896 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
22897 functions.
22898
22899 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
22900 @item show coerce-float-to-double
22901 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
22902 @end table
22903
22904 @kindex set cp-abi
22905 @kindex show cp-abi
22906 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
22907 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
22908 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
22909 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
22910 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
22911 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
22912 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
22913 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
22914 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
22915 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
22916 ``auto''.
22917
22918 @table @code
22919 @item show cp-abi
22920 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
22921
22922 @item set cp-abi
22923 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
22924
22925 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
22926 @itemx set cp-abi auto
22927 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
22928 @end table
22929
22930 @node Auto-loading
22931 @section Automatically loading associated files
22932 @cindex auto-loading
22933
22934 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
22935 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
22936 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
22937 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
22938 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
22939 sources).
22940
22941 @menu
22942 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22943 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
22944
22945 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
22946 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
22947 @end menu
22948
22949 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
22950 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
22951 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
22952
22953 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
22954 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
22955 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22956
22957 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
22958 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
22959
22960 @table @code
22961 @anchor{set auto-load off}
22962 @kindex set auto-load off
22963 @item set auto-load off
22964 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
22965 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
22966 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
22967 @smallexample
22968 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
22969 @end smallexample
22970
22971 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
22972 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
22973 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
22974 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
22975 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
22976 @code{set auto-load no}.
22977
22978 @anchor{show auto-load}
22979 @kindex show auto-load
22980 @item show auto-load
22981 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
22982 or disabled.
22983
22984 @smallexample
22985 (gdb) show auto-load
22986 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
22987 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
22988 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
22989 is on.
22990 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
22991 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22992 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22993 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
22994 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22995 @end smallexample
22996
22997 @anchor{info auto-load}
22998 @kindex info auto-load
22999 @item info auto-load
23000 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
23001 not.
23002
23003 @smallexample
23004 (gdb) info auto-load
23005 gdb-scripts:
23006 Loaded Script
23007 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
23008 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
23009 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
23010 loaded.
23011 python-scripts:
23012 Loaded Script
23013 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
23014 @end smallexample
23015 @end table
23016
23017 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
23018
23019 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
23020 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
23021 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
23022 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
23023 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
23024 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
23025 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
23026 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
23027 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
23028 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
23029 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
23030 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
23031 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
23032 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
23033 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
23034 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
23035 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
23036 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
23037 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
23038 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
23039 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
23040 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
23041 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
23042 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
23043 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
23044 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
23045 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
23046 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
23047 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
23048 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
23049 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
23050 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
23051 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
23052 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
23053 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
23054 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
23055 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
23056 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
23057 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
23058 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
23059 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
23060 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
23061 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
23062 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
23063 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
23064 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
23065 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
23066 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
23067 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
23068 @end multitable
23069
23070 @node Init File in the Current Directory
23071 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
23072 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
23073
23074 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
23075 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
23076 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
23077
23078 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
23079 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23080
23081 @table @code
23082 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
23083 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
23084 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
23085 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
23086 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
23087
23088 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
23089 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
23090 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
23091 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
23092 current directory is enabled or disabled.
23093
23094 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
23095 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
23096 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
23097 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
23098 current directory have been auto-loaded.
23099 @end table
23100
23101 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
23102 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
23103 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
23104
23105 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
23106
23107 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
23108 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
23109
23110 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
23111 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
23112 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
23113 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
23114 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
23115 library.
23116
23117 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
23118 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23119
23120 @table @code
23121 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
23122 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
23123 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
23124 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
23125
23126 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
23127 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
23128 @item show auto-load libthread-db
23129 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
23130 enabled or disabled.
23131
23132 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
23133 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
23134 @item info auto-load libthread-db
23135 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
23136 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
23137 @end table
23138
23139 @node Auto-loading safe path
23140 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
23141 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
23142
23143 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
23144 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
23145 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
23146 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
23147 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
23148
23149 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
23150 get loaded:
23151
23152 @smallexample
23153 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
23154 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
23155 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
23156 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
23157 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
23158 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
23159 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
23160 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
23161 @end smallexample
23162
23163 @noindent
23164 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
23165 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
23166
23167 @smallexample
23168 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
23169 @end smallexample
23170
23171 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
23172
23173 @table @code
23174 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
23175 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
23176 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
23177 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
23178 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
23179 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
23180 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
23181 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
23182 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
23183 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
23184
23185 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
23186 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
23187 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
23188
23189 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
23190 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
23191 @item show auto-load safe-path
23192 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
23193 scripts.
23194
23195 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
23196 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
23197 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
23198 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
23199 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
23200 by the host platform path separator in use.
23201 @end table
23202
23203 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
23204 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
23205 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
23206 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
23207 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
23208
23209 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
23210 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
23211 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
23212 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
23213 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
23214 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
23215 init file in the current directory
23216 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
23217
23218 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
23219 example, you could use one of the following ways:
23220
23221 @table @asis
23222 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
23223 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
23224 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
23225 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
23226
23227 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
23228 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
23229 @value{GDBN} session.
23230
23231 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
23232 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
23233 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
23234 from trusted sources.
23235
23236 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
23237 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
23238 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
23239 trusted sources.
23240 @end table
23241
23242 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
23243 also suppresses any such warning messages:
23244
23245 @table @asis
23246 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
23247 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
23248
23249 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
23250 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
23251 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
23252 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
23253 @end table
23254
23255 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
23256 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
23257 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
23258 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
23259 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
23260 recommended to be entered.
23261
23262 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
23263 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
23264 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
23265
23266 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
23267 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
23268 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
23269 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
23270 be printed.
23271
23272 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
23273 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
23274 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
23275
23276 @smallexample
23277 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
23278 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
23279 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
23280 for objfile "/tmp/true".
23281 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
23282 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
23283 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
23284 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
23285 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
23286 @end smallexample
23287
23288 @table @code
23289 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
23290 @kindex set debug auto-load
23291 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
23292 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
23293
23294 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
23295 @kindex show debug auto-load
23296 @item show debug auto-load
23297 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
23298 on or off.
23299 @end table
23300
23301 @node Messages/Warnings
23302 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
23303
23304 @cindex verbose operation
23305 @cindex optional warnings
23306 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
23307 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
23308 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
23309 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
23310
23311 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
23312 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
23313 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
23314
23315 @table @code
23316 @kindex set verbose
23317 @item set verbose on
23318 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
23319
23320 @item set verbose off
23321 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
23322
23323 @kindex show verbose
23324 @item show verbose
23325 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
23326 @end table
23327
23328 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
23329 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
23330 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
23331 Symbol Files}).
23332
23333 @table @code
23334
23335 @kindex set complaints
23336 @item set complaints @var{limit}
23337 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
23338 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
23339 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
23340 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
23341
23342 @kindex show complaints
23343 @item show complaints
23344 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
23345
23346 @end table
23347
23348 @anchor{confirmation requests}
23349 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
23350 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
23351 you try to run a program which is already running:
23352
23353 @smallexample
23354 (@value{GDBP}) run
23355 The program being debugged has been started already.
23356 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
23357 @end smallexample
23358
23359 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
23360 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
23361
23362 @table @code
23363
23364 @kindex set confirm
23365 @cindex flinching
23366 @cindex confirmation
23367 @cindex stupid questions
23368 @item set confirm off
23369 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
23370 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
23371 automatically disables confirmation requests.
23372
23373 @item set confirm on
23374 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
23375
23376 @kindex show confirm
23377 @item show confirm
23378 Displays state of confirmation requests.
23379
23380 @end table
23381
23382 @cindex command tracing
23383 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
23384 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
23385 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
23386 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
23387
23388 @table @code
23389 @kindex set trace-commands
23390 @cindex command scripts, debugging
23391 @item set trace-commands on
23392 Enable command tracing.
23393 @item set trace-commands off
23394 Disable command tracing.
23395 @item show trace-commands
23396 Display the current state of command tracing.
23397 @end table
23398
23399 @node Debugging Output
23400 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
23401 @cindex optional debugging messages
23402
23403 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
23404 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
23405 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
23406 section documents those commands.
23407
23408 @table @code
23409 @kindex set exec-done-display
23410 @item set exec-done-display
23411 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
23412 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
23413 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
23414 @kindex show exec-done-display
23415 @item show exec-done-display
23416 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
23417 notification.
23418 @kindex set debug
23419 @cindex ARM AArch64
23420 @item set debug aarch64
23421 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
23422 The default is off.
23423 @kindex show debug
23424 @item show debug aarch64
23425 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23426 ARM AArch64.
23427 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
23428 @cindex architecture debugging info
23429 @item set debug arch
23430 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
23431 @item show debug arch
23432 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
23433 @item set debug aix-solib
23434 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
23435 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
23436 support module. The default is off.
23437 @item show debug aix-thread
23438 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
23439 @item set debug aix-thread
23440 @cindex AIX threads
23441 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
23442 module.
23443 @item show debug aix-thread
23444 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
23445 @item set debug check-physname
23446 @cindex physname
23447 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
23448 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
23449 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
23450 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
23451 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
23452 both ways and display any discrepancies.
23453 @item show debug check-physname
23454 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
23455 @item set debug coff-pe-read
23456 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
23457 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
23458 exported symbols. The default is off.
23459 @item show debug coff-pe-read
23460 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23461 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23462 @item set debug dwarf-die
23463 @cindex DWARF DIEs
23464 Dump DWARF DIEs after they are read in.
23465 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
23466 A value of zero turns off the display.
23467 @item show debug dwarf-die
23468 Show the current state of DWARF DIE debugging.
23469 @item set debug dwarf-line
23470 @cindex DWARF Line Tables
23471 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
23472 DWARF line tables. The default is 0 (off).
23473 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23474 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23475 @item show debug dwarf-line
23476 Show the current state of DWARF line table debugging.
23477 @item set debug dwarf-read
23478 @cindex DWARF Reading
23479 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
23480 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
23481 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23482 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23483 @item show debug dwarf-read
23484 Show the current state of DWARF reader debugging.
23485 @item set debug displaced
23486 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
23487 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
23488 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
23489 @item show debug displaced
23490 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
23491 related to displaced stepping.
23492 @item set debug event
23493 @cindex event debugging info
23494 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
23495 default is off.
23496 @item show debug event
23497 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
23498 info.
23499 @item set debug expression
23500 @cindex expression debugging info
23501 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
23502 expression parsing. The default is off.
23503 @item show debug expression
23504 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
23505 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
23506 @item set debug frame
23507 @cindex frame debugging info
23508 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
23509 default is off.
23510 @item show debug frame
23511 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
23512 info.
23513 @item set debug gnu-nat
23514 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
23515 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
23516 @item show debug gnu-nat
23517 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
23518 @item set debug infrun
23519 @cindex inferior debugging info
23520 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
23521 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
23522 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
23523 @item show debug infrun
23524 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
23525 @item set debug jit
23526 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
23527 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
23528 @item show debug jit
23529 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
23530 @item set debug lin-lwp
23531 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
23532 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
23533 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
23534 @item show debug lin-lwp
23535 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
23536 @item set debug linux-namespaces
23537 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux namespaces debug messages
23538 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux namespaces debug support.
23539 @item show debug linux-namespaces
23540 Show the current state of Linux namespaces debugging messages.
23541 @item set debug mach-o
23542 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
23543 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
23544 processing. The default is off.
23545 @item show debug mach-o
23546 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23547 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23548 @item set debug notification
23549 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
23550 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
23551 The default is off.
23552 @item show debug notification
23553 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
23554 @item set debug observer
23555 @cindex observer debugging info
23556 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
23557 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
23558 @item show debug observer
23559 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
23560 @item set debug overload
23561 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
23562 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
23563 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
23564 is off.
23565 @item show debug overload
23566 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
23567 debugging info.
23568 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
23569 @cindex debug expression parser
23570 @item set debug parser
23571 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
23572 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
23573 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
23574 details. The default is off.
23575 @item show debug parser
23576 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
23577 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
23578 @cindex serial connections, debugging
23579 @cindex debug remote protocol
23580 @cindex remote protocol debugging
23581 @cindex display remote packets
23582 @item set debug remote
23583 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
23584 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
23585 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
23586 @item show debug remote
23587 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
23588 @item set debug serial
23589 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
23590 default is off.
23591 @item show debug serial
23592 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
23593 info.
23594 @item set debug solib-frv
23595 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
23596 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
23597 @item show debug solib-frv
23598 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
23599 messages.
23600 @item set debug symbol-lookup
23601 @cindex symbol lookup
23602 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
23603 The default is 0 (off).
23604 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23605 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23606 @item show debug symbol-lookup
23607 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
23608 @item set debug symfile
23609 @cindex symbol file functions
23610 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
23611 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
23612 @item show debug symfile
23613 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
23614 @item set debug symtab-create
23615 @cindex symbol table creation
23616 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
23617 The default is 0 (off).
23618 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23619 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23620 @item show debug symtab-create
23621 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
23622 @item set debug target
23623 @cindex target debugging info
23624 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
23625 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
23626 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
23627 value of large memory transfers.
23628 @item show debug target
23629 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
23630 info.
23631 @item set debug timestamp
23632 @cindex timestampping debugging info
23633 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
23634 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
23635 message.
23636 @item show debug timestamp
23637 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
23638 debugging info.
23639 @item set debug varobj
23640 @cindex variable object debugging info
23641 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
23642 info. The default is off.
23643 @item show debug varobj
23644 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
23645 debugging info.
23646 @item set debug xml
23647 @cindex XML parser debugging
23648 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
23649 @item show debug xml
23650 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
23651 @end table
23652
23653 @node Other Misc Settings
23654 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
23655 @cindex miscellaneous settings
23656
23657 @table @code
23658 @kindex set interactive-mode
23659 @item set interactive-mode
23660 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
23661 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
23662 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
23663 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
23664 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
23665 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
23666 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
23667 is, non-interactively otherwise.
23668
23669 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
23670 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
23671 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
23672 inside a cygwin window.
23673
23674 @kindex show interactive-mode
23675 @item show interactive-mode
23676 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
23677 @end table
23678
23679 @node Extending GDB
23680 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
23681 @cindex extending GDB
23682
23683 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
23684 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
23685 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
23686 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
23687 being debugged.
23688
23689 @menu
23690 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
23691 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
23692 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
23693 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
23694 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
23695 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
23696 @end menu
23697
23698 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
23699 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
23700 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
23701 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
23702 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23703 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
23704
23705 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
23706 setting:
23707
23708 @table @code
23709 @kindex set script-extension
23710 @kindex show script-extension
23711 @item set script-extension off
23712 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23713
23714 @item set script-extension soft
23715 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23716 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
23717 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
23718 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
23719
23720 @item set script-extension strict
23721 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23722 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
23723 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
23724
23725 @item show script-extension
23726 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
23727
23728 @end table
23729
23730 @node Sequences
23731 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
23732
23733 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
23734 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
23735 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
23736 files.
23737
23738 @menu
23739 * Define:: How to define your own commands
23740 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
23741 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
23742 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
23743 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
23744 @end menu
23745
23746 @node Define
23747 @subsection User-defined Commands
23748
23749 @cindex user-defined command
23750 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
23751 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
23752 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
23753 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
23754 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
23755 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
23756
23757 @smallexample
23758 define adder
23759 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23760 end
23761 @end smallexample
23762
23763 @noindent
23764 To execute the command use:
23765
23766 @smallexample
23767 adder 1 2 3
23768 @end smallexample
23769
23770 @noindent
23771 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
23772 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
23773 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
23774 functions calls.
23775
23776 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
23777 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
23778 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
23779 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
23780
23781 @smallexample
23782 define adder
23783 if $argc == 2
23784 print $arg0 + $arg1
23785 end
23786 if $argc == 3
23787 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23788 end
23789 end
23790 @end smallexample
23791
23792 @table @code
23793
23794 @kindex define
23795 @item define @var{commandname}
23796 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
23797 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
23798 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
23799 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
23800 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
23801 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
23802
23803 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
23804 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
23805 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23806
23807 @kindex document
23808 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
23809 @item document @var{commandname}
23810 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
23811 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
23812 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
23813 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
23814 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
23815 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
23816
23817 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
23818 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
23819 does not change the documentation.
23820
23821 @kindex dont-repeat
23822 @cindex don't repeat command
23823 @item dont-repeat
23824 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
23825 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
23826 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
23827
23828 @kindex help user-defined
23829 @item help user-defined
23830 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
23831 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
23832 included (if any).
23833
23834 @kindex show user
23835 @item show user
23836 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
23837 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
23838 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
23839 definitions for all user-defined commands.
23840 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
23841
23842 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
23843 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
23844 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
23845 @item show max-user-call-depth
23846 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
23847 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
23848 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
23849 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
23850 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
23851 @end table
23852
23853 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
23854 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
23855
23856 When user-defined commands are executed, the
23857 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
23858 stops execution of the user-defined command.
23859
23860 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
23861 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
23862 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
23863 messages when used in a user-defined command.
23864
23865 @node Hooks
23866 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
23867 @cindex command hooks
23868 @cindex hooks, for commands
23869 @cindex hooks, pre-command
23870
23871 @kindex hook
23872 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
23873 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
23874 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
23875 before that command.
23876
23877 @cindex hooks, post-command
23878 @kindex hookpost
23879 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
23880 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
23881 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
23882 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
23883 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
23884
23885 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
23886 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
23887
23888 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
23889 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
23890
23891 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
23892 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
23893 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
23894 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
23895 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
23896
23897 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
23898 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
23899 you could define:
23900
23901 @smallexample
23902 define hook-stop
23903 handle SIGALRM nopass
23904 end
23905
23906 define hook-run
23907 handle SIGALRM pass
23908 end
23909
23910 define hook-continue
23911 handle SIGALRM pass
23912 end
23913 @end smallexample
23914
23915 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
23916 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
23917 you could define:
23918
23919 @smallexample
23920 define hook-echo
23921 echo <<<---
23922 end
23923
23924 define hookpost-echo
23925 echo --->>>\n
23926 end
23927
23928 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
23929 <<<---Hello World--->>>
23930 (@value{GDBP})
23931
23932 @end smallexample
23933
23934 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
23935 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
23936 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
23937 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
23938 @c or not?
23939 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
23940 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
23941 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
23942
23943 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
23944 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
23945 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
23946
23947 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
23948 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
23949
23950 @node Command Files
23951 @subsection Command Files
23952
23953 @cindex command files
23954 @cindex scripting commands
23955 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
23956 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
23957 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
23958 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
23959 terminal.
23960
23961 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
23962 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
23963 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
23964 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
23965 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
23966
23967 @table @code
23968 @kindex source
23969 @cindex execute commands from a file
23970 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
23971 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
23972 @end table
23973
23974 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
23975 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
23976 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
23977 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
23978 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
23979
23980 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
23981 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
23982 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
23983 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
23984 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
23985 is not relevant to scripts.
23986
23987 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
23988 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
23989 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
23990 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
23991 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23992 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
23993 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
23994 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
23995 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23996 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
23997 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
23998 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
23999 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
24000 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
24001
24002 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
24003 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
24004 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
24005
24006 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
24007 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
24008 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
24009 when called from command files.
24010
24011 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
24012 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
24013 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
24014 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
24015 the next command.
24016
24017 @smallexample
24018 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
24019 @end smallexample
24020
24021 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
24022 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
24023 would be directed to @file{log}.
24024
24025 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
24026 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
24027 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
24028 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
24029 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
24030 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
24031 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
24032 conditionally, etc.
24033
24034 @table @code
24035 @kindex if
24036 @kindex else
24037 @item if
24038 @itemx else
24039 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
24040 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
24041 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
24042 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
24043 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
24044 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
24045 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
24046
24047 @kindex while
24048 @item while
24049 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
24050 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
24051 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
24052 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
24053 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
24054 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
24055
24056 @kindex loop_break
24057 @item loop_break
24058 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
24059 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
24060 line.
24061
24062 @kindex loop_continue
24063 @item loop_continue
24064 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
24065 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
24066 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
24067 the controlling expression.
24068
24069 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
24070 @item end
24071 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
24072 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
24073 @end table
24074
24075
24076 @node Output
24077 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
24078
24079 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
24080 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
24081 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
24082 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
24083 want.
24084
24085 @table @code
24086 @kindex echo
24087 @item echo @var{text}
24088 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
24089 @c because it is not in ANSI.
24090 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
24091 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
24092 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
24093 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
24094 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
24095 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
24096 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
24097 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
24098 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
24099
24100 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
24101 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
24102
24103 @smallexample
24104 echo This is some text\n\
24105 which is continued\n\
24106 onto several lines.\n
24107 @end smallexample
24108
24109 produces the same output as
24110
24111 @smallexample
24112 echo This is some text\n
24113 echo which is continued\n
24114 echo onto several lines.\n
24115 @end smallexample
24116
24117 @kindex output
24118 @item output @var{expression}
24119 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
24120 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
24121 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
24122 on expressions.
24123
24124 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
24125 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
24126 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
24127 Formats}, for more information.
24128
24129 @kindex printf
24130 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
24131 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
24132 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
24133 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
24134 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
24135 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
24136 executing the code below:
24137
24138 @smallexample
24139 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
24140 @end smallexample
24141
24142 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
24143 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
24144 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
24145 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
24146 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
24147 printed.
24148
24149 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
24150
24151 @smallexample
24152 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
24153 @end smallexample
24154
24155 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
24156 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
24157 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
24158
24159 @itemize @bullet
24160 @item
24161 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
24162
24163 @item
24164 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
24165 width.
24166
24167 @item
24168 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
24169 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
24170
24171 @item
24172 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
24173 supported.
24174
24175 @item
24176 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
24177
24178 @item
24179 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
24180 @end itemize
24181
24182 @noindent
24183 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
24184 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
24185 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
24186 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
24187
24188 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
24189 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
24190 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
24191 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
24192 supported.
24193
24194 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
24195 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
24196 together with a floating point specifier.
24197 letters:
24198
24199 @itemize @bullet
24200 @item
24201 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
24202
24203 @item
24204 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
24205
24206 @item
24207 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
24208 @end itemize
24209
24210 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
24211 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
24212 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
24213
24214 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
24215 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
24216
24217 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
24218 @smallexample
24219 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
24220 @end smallexample
24221
24222 @kindex eval
24223 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
24224 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
24225 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
24226
24227 @end table
24228
24229 @node Auto-loading sequences
24230 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
24231 @cindex native script auto-loading
24232
24233 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
24234 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
24235 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
24236 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
24237
24238 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
24239 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
24240
24241 @table @code
24242 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
24243 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
24244 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
24245 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
24246
24247 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
24248 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
24249 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
24250 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
24251 disabled.
24252
24253 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
24254 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
24255 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
24256 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
24257 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
24258 auto-loaded.
24259 @end table
24260
24261 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
24262 matching names are printed.
24263
24264 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
24265 @include python.texi
24266
24267 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
24268 @include guile.texi
24269
24270 @node Auto-loading extensions
24271 @section Auto-loading extensions
24272 @cindex auto-loading extensions
24273
24274 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
24275 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
24276 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
24277 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
24278 section of modern file formats like ELF.
24279
24280 @menu
24281 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
24282 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24283 * Which flavor to choose?::
24284 @end menu
24285
24286 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
24287 debugging commands and features.
24288
24289 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
24290 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
24291 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
24292 for more information.
24293 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
24294 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
24295
24296 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
24297 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24298
24299 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
24300 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
24301 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
24302 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
24303 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
24304
24305 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
24306 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
24307 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
24308 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
24309
24310 @table @code
24311 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
24312 GDB's own command language
24313 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
24314 Python
24315 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
24316 Guile
24317 @end table
24318
24319 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
24320 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
24321 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
24322 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
24323 script in the specified extension language.
24324
24325 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
24326 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
24327
24328 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
24329 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24330
24331 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
24332 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
24333 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
24334 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
24335 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
24336 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
24337
24338 @table @code
24339 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
24340 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
24341 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
24342 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
24343 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
24344 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
24345
24346 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
24347 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
24348
24349 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
24350 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
24351 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
24352 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
24353
24354 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
24355 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
24356 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
24357 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
24358 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
24359 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
24360 platform.
24361
24362 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
24363 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
24364 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
24365
24366 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
24367 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
24368 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
24369 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24370
24371 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
24372 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
24373 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
24374 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
24375 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
24376 @end table
24377
24378 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
24379 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
24380 @var{objfile} is opened.
24381 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
24382 is evaluated more than once.
24383
24384 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
24385 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24386 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24387
24388 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
24389 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
24390 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24391 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
24392 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
24393 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
24394 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24395
24396 The following entries are supported:
24397
24398 @table @code
24399 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
24400 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
24401 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
24402 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
24403 @end table
24404
24405 @subsubsection Script File Entries
24406
24407 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
24408 in the current directory and then along the source search path
24409 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
24410 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
24411 directory is not relevant to scripts.
24412
24413 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
24414 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
24415
24416 @example
24417 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
24418 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
24419 asm("\
24420 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
24421 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
24422 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
24423 .popsection \n\
24424 ");
24425 @end example
24426
24427 @noindent
24428 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
24429 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
24430
24431 @example
24432 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
24433 @end example
24434
24435 The script name may include directories if desired.
24436
24437 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
24438 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24439
24440 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
24441 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
24442 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
24443 will remove duplicates.
24444
24445 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
24446
24447 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
24448 itself instead of loading it from a file.
24449 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
24450 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
24451 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
24452 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
24453 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
24454 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
24455 on its name.
24456
24457 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
24458 testsuite.
24459
24460 @example
24461 #include "symcat.h"
24462 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
24463 asm(
24464 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
24465 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
24466 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
24467 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
24468 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
24469 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
24470 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
24471 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
24472 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
24473 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
24474 ".byte 0\n"
24475 ".popsection\n"
24476 );
24477 @end example
24478
24479 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
24480 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24481 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
24482 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
24483
24484 @node Which flavor to choose?
24485 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
24486
24487 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
24488 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
24489
24490 @noindent
24491 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
24492
24493 @itemize @bullet
24494 @item
24495 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
24496
24497 @item
24498 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
24499
24500 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
24501 in the source search path.
24502 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
24503 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
24504
24505 @item
24506 Doesn't require source code additions.
24507 @end itemize
24508
24509 @noindent
24510 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
24511
24512 @itemize @bullet
24513 @item
24514 Works with static linking.
24515
24516 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
24517 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
24518 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
24519 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
24520 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
24521
24522 @item
24523 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
24524
24525 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
24526 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
24527
24528 @item
24529 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
24530
24531 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
24532 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
24533 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
24534 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
24535 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
24536 top of the source tree to the source search path.
24537 @end itemize
24538
24539 @node Multiple Extension Languages
24540 @section Multiple Extension Languages
24541
24542 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
24543 and generally do not interfere with each other.
24544 There are some things to be aware of, however.
24545
24546 @subsection Python comes first
24547
24548 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
24549 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
24550 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
24551 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
24552 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
24553 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
24554 pretty-printed form of a value).
24555 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
24556 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
24557 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
24558
24559 @node Aliases
24560 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
24561 @cindex aliases for commands
24562
24563 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
24564 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
24565 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
24566 that involves less typing.
24567
24568 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
24569 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
24570 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
24571
24572 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
24573 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
24574 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
24575
24576 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
24577
24578 @table @code
24579
24580 @kindex alias
24581 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
24582
24583 @end table
24584
24585 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
24586 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
24587 underscores.
24588
24589 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
24590 that is being aliased.
24591
24592 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
24593 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
24594 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
24595
24596 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
24597 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
24598
24599 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
24600 of a command so that there is less to type.
24601 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
24602 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
24603 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
24604 The following will accomplish this.
24605
24606 @smallexample
24607 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
24608 @end smallexample
24609
24610 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
24611 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
24612 for it with the @samp{document} command.
24613 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
24614
24615 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
24616 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
24617 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
24618 of a command.
24619
24620 @smallexample
24621 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
24622 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
24623 (gdb) set p elms 20
24624 (gdb) show p elms
24625 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
24626 @end smallexample
24627
24628 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
24629 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
24630 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
24631
24632 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
24633 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
24634
24635 @smallexample
24636 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
24637 @end smallexample
24638
24639 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
24640 alias for a more complex command.
24641 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
24642
24643 @smallexample
24644 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
24645 (gdb) spe 20
24646 @end smallexample
24647
24648 @node Interpreters
24649 @chapter Command Interpreters
24650 @cindex command interpreters
24651
24652 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
24653 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
24654 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
24655
24656 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
24657 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
24658 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
24659 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
24660
24661 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
24662 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
24663 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
24664 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
24665
24666 @table @code
24667 @item console
24668 @cindex console interpreter
24669 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
24670 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
24671 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
24672
24673 @item mi
24674 @cindex mi interpreter
24675 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
24676 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
24677 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
24678 Interface}.
24679
24680 @item mi2
24681 @cindex mi2 interpreter
24682 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
24683
24684 @item mi1
24685 @cindex mi1 interpreter
24686 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
24687
24688 @end table
24689
24690 @cindex invoke another interpreter
24691 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24692 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24693 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24694 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24695 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24696 the IDE inoperable!
24697
24698 @kindex interpreter-exec
24699 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24700 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24701 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24702 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
24703
24704 @smallexample
24705 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24706 @end smallexample
24707
24708 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24709 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24710
24711 @node TUI
24712 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24713 @cindex TUI
24714 @cindex Text User Interface
24715
24716 @menu
24717 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24718 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24719 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24720 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24721 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24722 @end menu
24723
24724 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24725 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24726 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24727 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24728 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24729 is available.
24730
24731 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24732 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24733 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24734 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @command{tui
24735 enable} or @kbd{C-x C-a}. @xref{TUI Commands, ,TUI Commands}, and
24736 @ref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24737
24738 @node TUI Overview
24739 @section TUI Overview
24740
24741 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24742
24743 @table @emph
24744 @item command
24745 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24746 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24747 managed using readline.
24748
24749 @item source
24750 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24751 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24752
24753 @item assembly
24754 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24755
24756 @item register
24757 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24758 when their values change.
24759 @end table
24760
24761 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24762 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24763 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24764 indicates the breakpoint type:
24765
24766 @table @code
24767 @item B
24768 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24769
24770 @item b
24771 Breakpoint which was never hit.
24772
24773 @item H
24774 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24775
24776 @item h
24777 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24778 @end table
24779
24780 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24781
24782 @table @code
24783 @item +
24784 Breakpoint is enabled.
24785
24786 @item -
24787 Breakpoint is disabled.
24788 @end table
24789
24790 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24791 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24792 changes.
24793
24794 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24795 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24796 layouts:
24797
24798 @itemize @bullet
24799 @item
24800 source only,
24801
24802 @item
24803 assembly only,
24804
24805 @item
24806 source and assembly,
24807
24808 @item
24809 source and registers, or
24810
24811 @item
24812 assembly and registers.
24813 @end itemize
24814
24815 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24816
24817 @table @emph
24818 @item target
24819 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24820 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24821
24822 @item process
24823 Gives the current process or thread number.
24824 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24825
24826 @item function
24827 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24828 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24829 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24830 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24831
24832 @item line
24833 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24834 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24835
24836 @item pc
24837 Indicates the current program counter address.
24838 @end table
24839
24840 @node TUI Keys
24841 @section TUI Key Bindings
24842 @cindex TUI key bindings
24843
24844 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24845 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24846 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24847 @end ifset
24848 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24849 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24850 @end ifclear
24851 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24852 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24853
24854 @table @kbd
24855 @kindex C-x C-a
24856 @item C-x C-a
24857 @kindex C-x a
24858 @itemx C-x a
24859 @kindex C-x A
24860 @itemx C-x A
24861 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24862 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24863 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24864 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24865 The screen is then refreshed.
24866
24867 @kindex C-x 1
24868 @item C-x 1
24869 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24870 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24871 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24872
24873 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24874
24875 @kindex C-x 2
24876 @item C-x 2
24877 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24878 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24879 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24880 previous layout and the new one.
24881
24882 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24883
24884 @kindex C-x o
24885 @item C-x o
24886 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24887 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24888 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24889
24890 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24891
24892 @kindex C-x s
24893 @item C-x s
24894 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24895 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24896 @end table
24897
24898 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24899
24900 @table @asis
24901 @kindex PgUp
24902 @item @key{PgUp}
24903 Scroll the active window one page up.
24904
24905 @kindex PgDn
24906 @item @key{PgDn}
24907 Scroll the active window one page down.
24908
24909 @kindex Up
24910 @item @key{Up}
24911 Scroll the active window one line up.
24912
24913 @kindex Down
24914 @item @key{Down}
24915 Scroll the active window one line down.
24916
24917 @kindex Left
24918 @item @key{Left}
24919 Scroll the active window one column left.
24920
24921 @kindex Right
24922 @item @key{Right}
24923 Scroll the active window one column right.
24924
24925 @kindex C-L
24926 @item @kbd{C-L}
24927 Refresh the screen.
24928 @end table
24929
24930 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24931 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24932 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24933 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24934 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24935
24936 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24937 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24938 @cindex TUI single key mode
24939
24940 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24941 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24942 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24943
24944 @table @kbd
24945 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24946 @item c
24947 continue
24948
24949 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24950 @item d
24951 down
24952
24953 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24954 @item f
24955 finish
24956
24957 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24958 @item n
24959 next
24960
24961 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24962 @item q
24963 exit the SingleKey mode.
24964
24965 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24966 @item r
24967 run
24968
24969 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24970 @item s
24971 step
24972
24973 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24974 @item u
24975 up
24976
24977 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24978 @item v
24979 info locals
24980
24981 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24982 @item w
24983 where
24984 @end table
24985
24986 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24987 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24988 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24989 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24990 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24991 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24992
24993
24994 @node TUI Commands
24995 @section TUI-specific Commands
24996 @cindex TUI commands
24997
24998 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24999 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
25000 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
25001 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
25002
25003 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
25004 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
25005 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
25006 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
25007 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
25008
25009 @table @code
25010 @item tui enable
25011 @kindex tui enable
25012 Activate TUI mode. The last active TUI window layout will be used if
25013 TUI mode has prevsiouly been used in the current debugging session,
25014 otherwise a default layout is used.
25015
25016 @item tui disable
25017 @kindex tui disable
25018 Disable TUI mode, returning to the console interpreter.
25019
25020 @item info win
25021 @kindex info win
25022 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
25023
25024 @item layout @var{name}
25025 @kindex layout
25026 Changes which TUI windows are displayed. In each layout the command
25027 window is always displayed, the @var{name} parameter controls which
25028 additional windows are displayed, and can be any of the following:
25029
25030 @table @code
25031 @item next
25032 Display the next layout.
25033
25034 @item prev
25035 Display the previous layout.
25036
25037 @item src
25038 Display the source and command windows.
25039
25040 @item asm
25041 Display the assembly and command windows.
25042
25043 @item split
25044 Display the source, assembly, and command windows.
25045
25046 @item regs
25047 When in @code{src} layout display the register, source, and command
25048 windows. When in @code{asm} or @code{split} layout display the
25049 register, assembler, and command windows.
25050 @end table
25051
25052 @item focus @var{name}
25053 @kindex focus
25054 Changes which TUI window is currently active for scrolling. The
25055 @var{name} parameter can be any of the following:
25056
25057 @table @code
25058 @item next
25059 Make the next window active for scrolling.
25060
25061 @item prev
25062 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
25063
25064 @item src
25065 Make the source window active for scrolling.
25066
25067 @item asm
25068 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
25069
25070 @item regs
25071 Make the register window active for scrolling.
25072
25073 @item cmd
25074 Make the command window active for scrolling.
25075 @end table
25076
25077 @item refresh
25078 @kindex refresh
25079 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
25080
25081 @item tui reg @var{group}
25082 @kindex tui reg
25083 Changes the register group displayed in the tui register window to
25084 @var{group}. If the register window is not currently displayed this
25085 command will cause the register window to be displayed. The list of
25086 register groups, as well as their order is target specific. The
25087 following groups are available on most targets:
25088 @table @code
25089 @item next
25090 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
25091 through all of the available register groups.
25092
25093 @item prev
25094 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
25095 through all of the available register groups in the reverse order to
25096 @var{next}.
25097
25098 @item general
25099 Display the general registers.
25100 @item float
25101 Display the floating point registers.
25102 @item system
25103 Display the system registers.
25104 @item vector
25105 Display the vector registers.
25106 @item all
25107 Display all registers.
25108 @end table
25109
25110 @item update
25111 @kindex update
25112 Update the source window and the current execution point.
25113
25114 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
25115 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
25116 @kindex winheight
25117 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
25118 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
25119 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
25120 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
25121 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
25122
25123 @item tabset @var{nchars}
25124 @kindex tabset
25125 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
25126 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
25127 assembly windows.
25128 @end table
25129
25130 @node TUI Configuration
25131 @section TUI Configuration Variables
25132 @cindex TUI configuration variables
25133
25134 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
25135
25136 @table @code
25137 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
25138 @kindex set tui border-kind
25139 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
25140 The possible values are the following:
25141 @table @code
25142 @item space
25143 Use a space character to draw the border.
25144
25145 @item ascii
25146 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
25147
25148 @item acs
25149 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
25150 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
25151 @end table
25152
25153 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
25154 @kindex set tui border-mode
25155 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
25156 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
25157 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
25158 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
25159 @table @code
25160 @item normal
25161 Use normal attributes to display the border.
25162
25163 @item standout
25164 Use standout mode.
25165
25166 @item reverse
25167 Use reverse video mode.
25168
25169 @item half
25170 Use half bright mode.
25171
25172 @item half-standout
25173 Use half bright and standout mode.
25174
25175 @item bold
25176 Use extra bright or bold mode.
25177
25178 @item bold-standout
25179 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
25180 @end table
25181 @end table
25182
25183 @node Emacs
25184 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
25185
25186 @cindex Emacs
25187 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
25188 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
25189 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
25190 @value{GDBN}.
25191
25192 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
25193 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
25194 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
25195 created Emacs buffer.
25196 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
25197
25198 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
25199 things:
25200
25201 @itemize @bullet
25202 @item
25203 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
25204 the GUD buffer.
25205
25206 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
25207 and output done by the program you are debugging.
25208
25209 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
25210 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
25211 in this way.
25212
25213 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
25214 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
25215 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
25216 stop.
25217
25218 @item
25219 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
25220
25221 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
25222 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
25223 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
25224 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
25225 and the source.
25226
25227 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
25228 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
25229 @end itemize
25230
25231 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
25232 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
25233 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
25234 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
25235
25236 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
25237 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
25238 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
25239 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
25240 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
25241 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
25242 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
25243 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
25244 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
25245
25246 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
25247 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
25248 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
25249 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
25250
25251 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
25252 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
25253 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
25254 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
25255 one you want.
25256
25257 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
25258 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
25259
25260 @table @kbd
25261 @item C-h m
25262 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
25263
25264 @item C-c C-s
25265 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
25266 update the display window to show the current file and location.
25267
25268 @item C-c C-n
25269 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
25270 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
25271 to show the current file and location.
25272
25273 @item C-c C-i
25274 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
25275 display window accordingly.
25276
25277 @item C-c C-f
25278 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
25279 @code{finish} command.
25280
25281 @item C-c C-r
25282 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
25283 command.
25284
25285 @item C-c <
25286 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
25287 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
25288 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
25289
25290 @item C-c >
25291 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
25292 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
25293 @end table
25294
25295 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
25296 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
25297
25298 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
25299 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
25300 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
25301 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
25302 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
25303 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
25304 speedbar displays watch expressions.
25305
25306 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
25307 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
25308 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
25309 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
25310 frame.
25311
25312 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
25313 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
25314 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
25315 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
25316 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
25317 to correspond properly with the code.
25318
25319 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
25320 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
25321 Emacs Manual}).
25322
25323 @node GDB/MI
25324 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
25325
25326 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
25327
25328 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
25329 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
25330 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
25331 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
25332 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
25333 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
25334
25335 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
25336 in the form of a reference manual.
25337
25338 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
25339 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
25340 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
25341
25342 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
25343
25344 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
25345 This chapter uses the following notation:
25346
25347 @itemize @bullet
25348 @item
25349 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
25350
25351 @item
25352 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
25353 it may or may not be given.
25354
25355 @item
25356 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25357 may repeat zero or more times.
25358
25359 @item
25360 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25361 may repeat one or more times.
25362
25363 @item
25364 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
25365 @end itemize
25366
25367 @ignore
25368 @heading Dependencies
25369 @end ignore
25370
25371 @menu
25372 * GDB/MI General Design::
25373 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
25374 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
25375 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
25376 * GDB/MI Output Records::
25377 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
25378 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
25379 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
25380 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
25381 * GDB/MI Program Context::
25382 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
25383 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
25384 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
25385 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
25386 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
25387 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
25388 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
25389 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
25390 * GDB/MI File Commands::
25391 @ignore
25392 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
25393 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
25394 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
25395 @end ignore
25396 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
25397 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
25398 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
25399 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
25400 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
25401 @end menu
25402
25403 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25404 @node GDB/MI General Design
25405 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
25406 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
25407
25408 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
25409 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
25410 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
25411 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
25412 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
25413 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
25414 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
25415 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
25416 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
25417 a command and reported as part of that command response.
25418
25419 The important examples of notifications are:
25420 @itemize @bullet
25421
25422 @item
25423 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
25424 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
25425 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
25426 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
25427 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
25428 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
25429 command itself was successfully executed.
25430
25431 @item
25432 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
25433 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
25434 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
25435 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
25436 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
25437 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
25438
25439 @item
25440 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
25441 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
25442 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
25443 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
25444 orthogonal frontend design.
25445
25446 @end itemize
25447
25448 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
25449 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
25450 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
25451 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
25452 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
25453 the user interface.
25454
25455
25456 @menu
25457 * Context management::
25458 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
25459 * Thread groups::
25460 @end menu
25461
25462 @node Context management
25463 @subsection Context management
25464
25465 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
25466
25467 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
25468 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
25469 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
25470 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
25471 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
25472 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
25473 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
25474 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
25475 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
25476
25477 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
25478 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
25479 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
25480 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
25481 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
25482 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
25483 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
25484 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
25485 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
25486 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
25487 for thread and frame to operate on.
25488
25489 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
25490 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
25491 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
25492 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
25493 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
25494 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
25495 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
25496 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
25497 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
25498 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
25499
25500 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
25501 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
25502 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
25503 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
25504 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
25505 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
25506 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
25507 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
25508 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
25509 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
25510 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
25511 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
25512 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
25513 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
25514 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
25515 @samp{--frame} options.
25516
25517 @subsubsection Language
25518
25519 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
25520 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
25521 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
25522 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
25523 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
25524 For instance:
25525
25526 @smallexample
25527 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
25528 ^done,value="4"
25529 (gdb)
25530 @end smallexample
25531
25532 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
25533 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
25534 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
25535
25536 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
25537 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
25538
25539 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
25540 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
25541 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
25542 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
25543 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
25544 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
25545 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
25546 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
25547 @code{-list-target-features} command.
25548
25549 @table @code
25550 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
25551 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
25552 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
25553
25554 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
25555 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
25556 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
25557
25558 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
25559 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
25560 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
25561 MI commands even while the target is running.
25562
25563 @item -gdb-show mi-async
25564 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
25565 @end table
25566
25567 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
25568 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
25569 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
25570 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
25571 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
25572 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
25573
25574 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
25575 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
25576 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
25577 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
25578 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
25579 are running.
25580
25581 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
25582 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
25583 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
25584 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
25585 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
25586 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
25587 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
25588 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
25589 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
25590 @samp{--thread} option).
25591
25592 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
25593 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
25594 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
25595 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
25596
25597 @node Thread groups
25598 @subsection Thread groups
25599 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
25600 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
25601 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
25602 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
25603 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
25604
25605 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
25606 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
25607 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
25608 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
25609 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
25610 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
25611 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
25612 into processes.
25613
25614 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
25615 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
25616 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
25617 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
25618 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
25619 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
25620 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
25621 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
25622 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
25623 the members of specific thread group.
25624
25625 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
25626 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
25627 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
25628 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
25629 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
25630 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
25631 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
25632 after attaching to that thread group.
25633
25634 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
25635 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
25636 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
25637 such thread groups.
25638
25639 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25640 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
25641 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
25642
25643 @menu
25644 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
25645 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
25646 @end menu
25647
25648 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
25649 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
25650
25651 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
25652 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
25653 @table @code
25654 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
25655 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
25656
25657 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
25658 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
25659 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
25660
25661 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
25662 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
25663 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
25664
25665 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25666 "any sequence of digits"
25667
25668 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
25669 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
25670
25671 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
25672 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
25673
25674 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
25675 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
25676
25677 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
25678 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
25679 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
25680
25681 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
25682 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
25683
25684 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25685 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25686 @end table
25687
25688 @noindent
25689 Notes:
25690
25691 @itemize @bullet
25692 @item
25693 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
25694 output is described below.
25695
25696 @item
25697 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
25698 finishes.
25699
25700 @item
25701 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
25702 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
25703 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
25704 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
25705 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
25706 @end itemize
25707
25708 Pragmatics:
25709
25710 @itemize @bullet
25711 @item
25712 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
25713
25714 @item
25715 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
25716 @end itemize
25717
25718 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
25719 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
25720
25721 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
25722 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
25723 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
25724 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
25725 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
25726 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
25727
25728 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
25729 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
25730 @var{token}.
25731
25732 @table @code
25733 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
25734 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
25735
25736 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
25737 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25738
25739 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
25740 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
25741
25742 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
25743 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
25744
25745 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
25746 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
25747
25748 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
25749 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
25750
25751 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
25752 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
25753
25754 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
25755 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
25756
25757 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
25758 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
25759
25760 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
25761 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
25762 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
25763
25764 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
25765 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
25766
25767 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
25768 @code{ @var{string} }
25769
25770 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
25771 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25772
25773 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
25774 @code{@var{c-string}}
25775
25776 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25777 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25778
25779 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
25780 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25781 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25782
25783 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25784 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25785
25786 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25787 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
25788
25789 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25790 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
25791
25792 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25793 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
25794
25795 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25796 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25797
25798 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25799 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
25800 @end table
25801
25802 @noindent
25803 Notes:
25804
25805 @itemize @bullet
25806 @item
25807 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25808
25809 @item
25810 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25811 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25812 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25813 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25814 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25815 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25816 prior command.
25817
25818 @item
25819 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25820 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25821 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25822 prefixed by @samp{+}.
25823
25824 @item
25825 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25826 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25827 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25828 @samp{*}.
25829
25830 @item
25831 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25832 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25833 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25834 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25835
25836 @item
25837 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25838 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25839 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25840 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25841
25842 @item
25843 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25844 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25845 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25846
25847 @item
25848 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25849 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25850 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25851 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25852
25853 @item
25854 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25855 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25856 @var{values}.
25857
25858
25859 @end itemize
25860
25861 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25862 details about the various output records.
25863
25864 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25865 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25866 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25867
25868 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25869 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25870
25871 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25872 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25873 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25874 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25875 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25876 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25877
25878 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25879 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25880 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25881
25882 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25883 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25884 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25885 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25886
25887 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25888 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25889
25890 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25891 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25892 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25893 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25894 might change.
25895
25896 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25897 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25898 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25899 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25900
25901 @itemize @bullet
25902 @item
25903 New MI commands may be added.
25904
25905 @item
25906 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25907
25908 @item
25909 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25910 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25911
25912 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25913 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25914
25915 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25916 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25917 @end itemize
25918
25919 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25920 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25921 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25922 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25923 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25924
25925 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25926 @c version?
25927
25928 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25929 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25930 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25931 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25932 @cindex mailing lists
25933
25934 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25935 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25936 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25937
25938 @menu
25939 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25940 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25941 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25942 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
25943 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25944 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25945 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25946 @end menu
25947
25948 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25949 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25950
25951 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25952 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25953 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25954 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25955
25956 @table @code
25957 @findex ^done
25958 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25959 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25960 values.
25961
25962 @item "^running"
25963 @findex ^running
25964 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25965 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25966 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25967 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25968 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25969 which threads are resumed.
25970
25971 @item "^connected"
25972 @findex ^connected
25973 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25974
25975 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
25976 @findex ^error
25977 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
25978 the corresponding error message.
25979
25980 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
25981 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
25982 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
25983
25984 @table @samp
25985 @item "undefined-command"
25986 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
25987 @end table
25988
25989 @item "^exit"
25990 @findex ^exit
25991 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25992
25993 @end table
25994
25995 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25996 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25997
25998 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25999 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
26000 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
26001 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
26002 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
26003
26004 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
26005 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
26006 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
26007 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
26008 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
26009
26010 @table @code
26011 @item "~" @var{string-output}
26012 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
26013 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
26014
26015 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
26016 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
26017 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
26018 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
26019
26020 @item "&" @var{string-output}
26021 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
26022 internals.
26023 @end table
26024
26025 @node GDB/MI Async Records
26026 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
26027
26028 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
26029 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
26030 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
26031 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
26032 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
26033 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
26034
26035 The following is the list of possible async records:
26036
26037 @table @code
26038
26039 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
26040 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
26041 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
26042 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
26043 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
26044 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
26045 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
26046 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
26047 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
26048 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
26049
26050 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
26051 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
26052 following values:
26053
26054 @table @code
26055 @item breakpoint-hit
26056 A breakpoint was reached.
26057 @item watchpoint-trigger
26058 A watchpoint was triggered.
26059 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
26060 A read watchpoint was triggered.
26061 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
26062 An access watchpoint was triggered.
26063 @item function-finished
26064 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
26065 @item location-reached
26066 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
26067 @item watchpoint-scope
26068 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
26069 @item end-stepping-range
26070 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
26071 similar CLI command was accomplished.
26072 @item exited-signalled
26073 The inferior exited because of a signal.
26074 @item exited
26075 The inferior exited.
26076 @item exited-normally
26077 The inferior exited normally.
26078 @item signal-received
26079 A signal was received by the inferior.
26080 @item solib-event
26081 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
26082 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
26083 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
26084 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
26085 @item fork
26086 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
26087 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26088 @item vfork
26089 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
26090 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26091 @item syscall-entry
26092 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
26093 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26094 @item syscall-return
26095 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
26096 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26097 @item exec
26098 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
26099 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26100 @end table
26101
26102 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
26103 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
26104 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
26105 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
26106 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
26107 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
26108 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
26109 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
26110 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
26111 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
26112 if such information is not available.
26113
26114 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
26115 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
26116 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
26117 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
26118 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
26119 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
26120 cannot be used in any way.
26121
26122 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
26123 A thread group became associated with a running program,
26124 either because the program was just started or the thread group
26125 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
26126 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
26127 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
26128
26129 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
26130 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
26131 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
26132 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
26133 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
26134 only when the inferior exited with some code.
26135
26136 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
26137 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
26138 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
26139 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
26140 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
26141
26142 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
26143 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
26144 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
26145 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
26146 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
26147 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
26148 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
26149
26150 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
26151 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
26152 that thread.
26153
26154 @item =library-loaded,...
26155 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
26156 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
26157 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
26158 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
26159 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
26160 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
26161 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
26162 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
26163 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
26164 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
26165 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
26166 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
26167 thread groups.
26168
26169 @item =library-unloaded,...
26170 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
26171 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
26172 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
26173 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
26174 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
26175 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
26176 thread groups.
26177
26178 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
26179 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
26180 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
26181 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
26182 frame is @var{tpnum}.
26183
26184 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
26185 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
26186 initial value @var{initial}.
26187
26188 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
26189 @itemx =tsv-deleted
26190 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
26191 trace state variables are deleted.
26192
26193 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
26194 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
26195 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
26196 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
26197 value of trace state variable is known.
26198
26199 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
26200 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
26201 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
26202 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
26203 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
26204 user.
26205
26206 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
26207 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
26208 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
26209
26210 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
26211 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
26212
26213 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
26214 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
26215 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
26216 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
26217 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
26218
26219 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
26220 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
26221 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
26222 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
26223 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
26224 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
26225
26226 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
26227 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
26228 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
26229 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
26230 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
26231 executable code.
26232 @end table
26233
26234 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
26235 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
26236
26237 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
26238 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
26239 following fields:
26240
26241 @table @code
26242 @item number
26243 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
26244 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
26245 @samp{1.2}.
26246
26247 @item type
26248 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
26249 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
26250
26251 @item catch-type
26252 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
26253 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
26254
26255 @item disp
26256 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
26257 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
26258 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
26259
26260 @item enabled
26261 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
26262 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
26263 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
26264
26265 @item addr
26266 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
26267 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
26268 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
26269 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
26270 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
26271
26272 @item func
26273 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
26274 If not known, this field is not present.
26275
26276 @item filename
26277 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
26278 If not known, this field is not present.
26279
26280 @item fullname
26281 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
26282 known. If not known, this field is not present.
26283
26284 @item line
26285 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
26286 If not known, this field is not present.
26287
26288 @item at
26289 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
26290 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
26291 by a symbol name.
26292
26293 @item pending
26294 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
26295 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
26296
26297 @item evaluated-by
26298 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
26299 @samp{target}.
26300
26301 @item thread
26302 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
26303 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
26304
26305 @item task
26306 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
26307 field will hold the task identifier.
26308
26309 @item cond
26310 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
26311
26312 @item ignore
26313 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
26314
26315 @item enable
26316 The enable count of the breakpoint.
26317
26318 @item traceframe-usage
26319 FIXME.
26320
26321 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
26322 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
26323
26324 @item mask
26325 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
26326
26327 @item pass
26328 A tracepoint's pass count.
26329
26330 @item original-location
26331 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
26332 This field is optional.
26333
26334 @item times
26335 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
26336
26337 @item installed
26338 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
26339 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
26340 is not.
26341
26342 @item what
26343 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
26344
26345 @end table
26346
26347 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
26348 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
26349
26350 @smallexample
26351 -> -break-insert main
26352 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26353 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26354 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
26355 times="0"@}
26356 <- (gdb)
26357 @end smallexample
26358
26359 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
26360 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
26361
26362 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
26363 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
26364 fields:
26365
26366 @table @code
26367 @item level
26368 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
26369 zero. This field is always present.
26370
26371 @item func
26372 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
26373 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
26374
26375 @item addr
26376 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
26377
26378 @item file
26379 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
26380 address. This field may be absent.
26381
26382 @item line
26383 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
26384 may be absent.
26385
26386 @item from
26387 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
26388 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
26389
26390 @end table
26391
26392 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
26393 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
26394
26395 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
26396 uses a tuple with the following fields:
26397
26398 @table @code
26399 @item id
26400 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
26401 always present.
26402
26403 @item target-id
26404 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
26405
26406 @item details
26407 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
26408 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
26409 frontend. This field is optional.
26410
26411 @item state
26412 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
26413 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
26414
26415 @item core
26416 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
26417 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
26418 @end table
26419
26420 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
26421 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
26422
26423 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
26424 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
26425 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
26426 the @code{exception-name} field.
26427
26428 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26429 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
26430 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
26431 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
26432
26433 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
26434 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
26435 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
26436 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
26437
26438 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
26439 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
26440
26441 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
26442
26443 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
26444 information of the breakpoint.
26445
26446 @smallexample
26447 -> -break-insert main
26448 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26449 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26450 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
26451 times="0"@}
26452 <- (gdb)
26453 @end smallexample
26454
26455 @subheading Program Execution
26456
26457 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
26458 reason that execution stopped.
26459
26460 @smallexample
26461 -> -exec-run
26462 <- ^running
26463 <- (gdb)
26464 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26465 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
26466 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
26467 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
26468 <- (gdb)
26469 -> -exec-continue
26470 <- ^running
26471 <- (gdb)
26472 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26473 <- (gdb)
26474 @end smallexample
26475
26476 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
26477
26478 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
26479
26480 @smallexample
26481 -> (gdb)
26482 <- -gdb-exit
26483 <- ^exit
26484 @end smallexample
26485
26486 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
26487 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
26488 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
26489 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
26490 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
26491 fails to exit in reasonable time.
26492
26493 @subheading A Bad Command
26494
26495 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
26496
26497 @smallexample
26498 -> -rubbish
26499 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
26500 <- (gdb)
26501 @end smallexample
26502
26503
26504 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26505 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
26506 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
26507
26508 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
26509 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
26510
26511 @subheading Motivation
26512
26513 The motivation for this collection of commands.
26514
26515 @subheading Introduction
26516
26517 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
26518
26519 @subheading Commands
26520
26521 For each command in the block, the following is described:
26522
26523 @subsubheading Synopsis
26524
26525 @smallexample
26526 -command @var{args}@dots{}
26527 @end smallexample
26528
26529 @subsubheading Result
26530
26531 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26532
26533 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
26534
26535 @subsubheading Example
26536
26537 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
26538 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
26539
26540
26541 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26542 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
26543 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
26544
26545 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
26546 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
26547 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26548 breakpoints.
26549
26550 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
26551 @findex -break-after
26552
26553 @subsubheading Synopsis
26554
26555 @smallexample
26556 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
26557 @end smallexample
26558
26559 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
26560 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
26561 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
26562 @samp{-break-list} command below.
26563
26564 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26565
26566 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
26567
26568 @subsubheading Example
26569
26570 @smallexample
26571 (gdb)
26572 -break-insert main
26573 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26574 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26575 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26576 times="0"@}
26577 (gdb)
26578 -break-after 1 3
26579 ~
26580 ^done
26581 (gdb)
26582 -break-list
26583 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26584 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26585 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26586 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26587 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26588 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26589 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26590 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26591 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26592 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26593 (gdb)
26594 @end smallexample
26595
26596 @ignore
26597 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
26598 @findex -break-catch
26599 @end ignore
26600
26601 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
26602 @findex -break-commands
26603
26604 @subsubheading Synopsis
26605
26606 @smallexample
26607 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
26608 @end smallexample
26609
26610 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
26611 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
26612 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
26613 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
26614 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
26615 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
26616
26617 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26618
26619 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
26620
26621 @subsubheading Example
26622
26623 @smallexample
26624 (gdb)
26625 -break-insert main
26626 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26627 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26628 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26629 times="0"@}
26630 (gdb)
26631 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
26632 ^done
26633 (gdb)
26634 @end smallexample
26635
26636 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
26637 @findex -break-condition
26638
26639 @subsubheading Synopsis
26640
26641 @smallexample
26642 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
26643 @end smallexample
26644
26645 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
26646 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
26647 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
26648 command below).
26649
26650 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26651
26652 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
26653
26654 @subsubheading Example
26655
26656 @smallexample
26657 (gdb)
26658 -break-condition 1 1
26659 ^done
26660 (gdb)
26661 -break-list
26662 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26663 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26664 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26665 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26666 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26667 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26668 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26669 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26670 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26671 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26672 (gdb)
26673 @end smallexample
26674
26675 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
26676 @findex -break-delete
26677
26678 @subsubheading Synopsis
26679
26680 @smallexample
26681 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26682 @end smallexample
26683
26684 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
26685 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
26686
26687 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26688
26689 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
26690
26691 @subsubheading Example
26692
26693 @smallexample
26694 (gdb)
26695 -break-delete 1
26696 ^done
26697 (gdb)
26698 -break-list
26699 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26700 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26701 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26702 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26703 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26704 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26705 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26706 body=[]@}
26707 (gdb)
26708 @end smallexample
26709
26710 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
26711 @findex -break-disable
26712
26713 @subsubheading Synopsis
26714
26715 @smallexample
26716 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26717 @end smallexample
26718
26719 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
26720 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
26721
26722 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26723
26724 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
26725
26726 @subsubheading Example
26727
26728 @smallexample
26729 (gdb)
26730 -break-disable 2
26731 ^done
26732 (gdb)
26733 -break-list
26734 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26735 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26736 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26737 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26738 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26739 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26740 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26741 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26742 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26743 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26744 (gdb)
26745 @end smallexample
26746
26747 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
26748 @findex -break-enable
26749
26750 @subsubheading Synopsis
26751
26752 @smallexample
26753 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26754 @end smallexample
26755
26756 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
26757
26758 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26759
26760 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
26761
26762 @subsubheading Example
26763
26764 @smallexample
26765 (gdb)
26766 -break-enable 2
26767 ^done
26768 (gdb)
26769 -break-list
26770 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26771 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26772 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26773 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26774 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26775 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26776 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26777 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26778 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26779 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26780 (gdb)
26781 @end smallexample
26782
26783 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
26784 @findex -break-info
26785
26786 @subsubheading Synopsis
26787
26788 @smallexample
26789 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
26790 @end smallexample
26791
26792 @c REDUNDANT???
26793 Get information about a single breakpoint.
26794
26795 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
26796 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
26797 table.
26798
26799 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26800
26801 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
26802
26803 @subsubheading Example
26804 N.A.
26805
26806 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
26807 @findex -break-insert
26808 @anchor{-break-insert}
26809
26810 @subsubheading Synopsis
26811
26812 @smallexample
26813 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
26814 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26815 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
26816 @end smallexample
26817
26818 @noindent
26819 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26820
26821 @table @var
26822 @item linespec location
26823 A linespec location. @xref{Linespec Locations}.
26824
26825 @item explicit location
26826 An explicit location. @sc{gdb/mi} explicit locations are
26827 analogous to the CLI's explicit locations using the option names
26828 listed below. @xref{Explicit Locations}.
26829
26830 @table @samp
26831 @item --source @var{filename}
26832 The source file name of the location. This option requires the use
26833 of either @samp{--function} or @samp{--line}.
26834
26835 @item --function @var{function}
26836 The name of a function or method.
26837
26838 @item --label @var{label}
26839 The name of a label.
26840
26841 @item --line @var{lineoffset}
26842 An absolute or relative line offset from the start of the location.
26843 @end table
26844
26845 @item address location
26846 An address location, *@var{address}. @xref{Address Locations}.
26847 @end table
26848
26849 @noindent
26850 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26851
26852 @table @samp
26853 @item -t
26854 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26855 @item -h
26856 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
26857 @item -f
26858 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
26859 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26860 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26861 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26862 cannot be parsed.
26863 @item -d
26864 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26865 @item -a
26866 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
26867 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
26868 @item -c @var{condition}
26869 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26870 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26871 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
26872 @item -p @var{thread-id}
26873 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26874 @end table
26875
26876 @subsubheading Result
26877
26878 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26879 resulting breakpoint.
26880
26881 Note: this format is open to change.
26882 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26883
26884 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26885
26886 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
26887 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
26888
26889 @subsubheading Example
26890
26891 @smallexample
26892 (gdb)
26893 -break-insert main
26894 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
26895 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26896 times="0"@}
26897 (gdb)
26898 -break-insert -t foo
26899 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
26900 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26901 times="0"@}
26902 (gdb)
26903 -break-list
26904 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26905 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26906 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26907 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26908 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26909 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26910 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26911 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26912 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
26913 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26914 times="0"@},
26915 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26916 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
26917 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26918 times="0"@}]@}
26919 (gdb)
26920 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
26921 @c ~int foo(int, int);
26922 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
26923 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26924 @c times="0"@}
26925 @c (gdb)
26926 @end smallexample
26927
26928 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
26929 @findex -dprintf-insert
26930
26931 @subsubheading Synopsis
26932
26933 @smallexample
26934 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
26935 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26936 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
26937 [ @var{argument} ]
26938 @end smallexample
26939
26940 @noindent
26941 If supplied, @var{location} may be specified the same way as for
26942 the @code{-break-insert} command. @xref{-break-insert}.
26943
26944 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26945
26946 @table @samp
26947 @item -t
26948 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26949 @item -f
26950 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
26951 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26952 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26953 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26954 cannot be parsed.
26955 @item -d
26956 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26957 @item -c @var{condition}
26958 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26959 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26960 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
26961 to @var{ignore-count}.
26962 @item -p @var{thread-id}
26963 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26964 @end table
26965
26966 @subsubheading Result
26967
26968 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26969 resulting breakpoint.
26970
26971 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26972
26973 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26974
26975 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
26976
26977 @subsubheading Example
26978
26979 @smallexample
26980 (gdb)
26981 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
26982 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26983 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26984 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
26985 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
26986 original-location="foo"@}
26987 (gdb)
26988 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
26989 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26990 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26991 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
26992 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
26993 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
26994 (gdb)
26995 @end smallexample
26996
26997 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
26998 @findex -break-list
26999
27000 @subsubheading Synopsis
27001
27002 @smallexample
27003 -break-list
27004 @end smallexample
27005
27006 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
27007
27008 @table @samp
27009 @item Number
27010 number of the breakpoint
27011 @item Type
27012 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
27013 @item Disposition
27014 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
27015 or @samp{nokeep}
27016 @item Enabled
27017 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
27018 @item Address
27019 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
27020 @item What
27021 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
27022 name, line number
27023 @item Thread-groups
27024 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
27025 @item Times
27026 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
27027 @end table
27028
27029 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
27030 @code{body} field is an empty list.
27031
27032 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27033
27034 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
27035
27036 @subsubheading Example
27037
27038 @smallexample
27039 (gdb)
27040 -break-list
27041 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27042 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27043 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27044 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27045 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27046 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27047 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27048 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27049 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
27050 times="0"@},
27051 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27052 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27053 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
27054 (gdb)
27055 @end smallexample
27056
27057 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
27058
27059 @smallexample
27060 (gdb)
27061 -break-list
27062 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
27063 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27064 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27065 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27066 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27067 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27068 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27069 body=[]@}
27070 (gdb)
27071 @end smallexample
27072
27073 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
27074 @findex -break-passcount
27075
27076 @subsubheading Synopsis
27077
27078 @smallexample
27079 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
27080 @end smallexample
27081
27082 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
27083 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
27084 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
27085 command @samp{passcount}.
27086
27087 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
27088 @findex -break-watch
27089
27090 @subsubheading Synopsis
27091
27092 @smallexample
27093 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
27094 @end smallexample
27095
27096 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
27097 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
27098 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
27099 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
27100 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
27101 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
27102 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
27103 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
27104
27105 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
27106 breakpoints inserted.
27107
27108 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27109
27110 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
27111 @samp{rwatch}.
27112
27113 @subsubheading Example
27114
27115 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
27116
27117 @smallexample
27118 (gdb)
27119 -break-watch x
27120 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
27121 (gdb)
27122 -exec-continue
27123 ^running
27124 (gdb)
27125 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
27126 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
27127 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
27128 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
27129 (gdb)
27130 @end smallexample
27131
27132 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
27133 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
27134 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
27135
27136 @smallexample
27137 (gdb)
27138 -break-watch C
27139 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
27140 (gdb)
27141 -exec-continue
27142 ^running
27143 (gdb)
27144 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
27145 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
27146 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27147 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27148 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
27149 (gdb)
27150 -exec-continue
27151 ^running
27152 (gdb)
27153 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
27154 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
27155 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27156 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27157 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27158 (gdb)
27159 @end smallexample
27160
27161 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
27162 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
27163 deleted.
27164
27165 @smallexample
27166 (gdb)
27167 -break-watch C
27168 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
27169 (gdb)
27170 -break-list
27171 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27172 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27173 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27174 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27175 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27176 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27177 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27178 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27179 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27180 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27181 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
27182 times="1"@},
27183 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
27184 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
27185 (gdb)
27186 -exec-continue
27187 ^running
27188 (gdb)
27189 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
27190 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
27191 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27192 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27193 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
27194 (gdb)
27195 -break-list
27196 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27197 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27198 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27199 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27200 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27201 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27202 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27203 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27204 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27205 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27206 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
27207 times="1"@},
27208 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
27209 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
27210 (gdb)
27211 -exec-continue
27212 ^running
27213 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
27214 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
27215 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27216 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27217 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27218 (gdb)
27219 -break-list
27220 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27221 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27222 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27223 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27224 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27225 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27226 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27227 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27228 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27229 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27230 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
27231 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
27232 (gdb)
27233 @end smallexample
27234
27235
27236 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27237 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
27238 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
27239
27240 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27241 catchpoints.
27242
27243 @menu
27244 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27245 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27246 @end menu
27247
27248 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
27249 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
27250
27251 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
27252 @findex -catch-load
27253
27254 @subsubheading Synopsis
27255
27256 @smallexample
27257 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
27258 @end smallexample
27259
27260 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
27261 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
27262 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
27263 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
27264 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
27265
27266
27267 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27268
27269 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
27270
27271 @subsubheading Example
27272
27273 @smallexample
27274 -catch-load -t foo.so
27275 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
27276 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
27277 (gdb)
27278 @end smallexample
27279
27280
27281 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
27282 @findex -catch-unload
27283
27284 @subsubheading Synopsis
27285
27286 @smallexample
27287 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
27288 @end smallexample
27289
27290 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
27291 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
27292 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
27293 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
27294 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
27295
27296 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27297
27298 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
27299
27300 @subsubheading Example
27301
27302 @smallexample
27303 -catch-unload -d bar.so
27304 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
27305 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
27306 (gdb)
27307 @end smallexample
27308
27309 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
27310 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
27311
27312 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
27313 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
27314
27315 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
27316 @findex -catch-assert
27317
27318 @subsubheading Synopsis
27319
27320 @smallexample
27321 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
27322 @end smallexample
27323
27324 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
27325
27326 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
27327
27328 @table @samp
27329 @item -c @var{condition}
27330 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
27331 @item -d
27332 Create a disabled catchpoint.
27333 @item -t
27334 Create a temporary catchpoint.
27335 @end table
27336
27337 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27338
27339 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
27340
27341 @subsubheading Example
27342
27343 @smallexample
27344 -catch-assert
27345 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27346 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
27347 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
27348 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
27349 (gdb)
27350 @end smallexample
27351
27352 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
27353 @findex -catch-exception
27354
27355 @subsubheading Synopsis
27356
27357 @smallexample
27358 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
27359 [ -t ] [ -u ]
27360 @end smallexample
27361
27362 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
27363 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
27364 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
27365 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
27366 catchpoints.
27367
27368 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
27369
27370 @table @samp
27371 @item -c @var{condition}
27372 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
27373 @item -d
27374 Create a disabled catchpoint.
27375 @item -e @var{exception-name}
27376 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
27377 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
27378 @item -t
27379 Create a temporary catchpoint.
27380 @item -u
27381 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
27382 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
27383 @end table
27384
27385 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27386
27387 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
27388 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
27389
27390 @subsubheading Example
27391
27392 @smallexample
27393 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
27394 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27395 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
27396 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
27397 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
27398 (gdb)
27399 @end smallexample
27400
27401 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27402 @node GDB/MI Program Context
27403 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
27404
27405 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
27406 @findex -exec-arguments
27407
27408
27409 @subsubheading Synopsis
27410
27411 @smallexample
27412 -exec-arguments @var{args}
27413 @end smallexample
27414
27415 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
27416 @samp{-exec-run}.
27417
27418 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27419
27420 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
27421
27422 @subsubheading Example
27423
27424 @smallexample
27425 (gdb)
27426 -exec-arguments -v word
27427 ^done
27428 (gdb)
27429 @end smallexample
27430
27431
27432 @ignore
27433 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
27434 @findex -exec-show-arguments
27435
27436 @subsubheading Synopsis
27437
27438 @smallexample
27439 -exec-show-arguments
27440 @end smallexample
27441
27442 Print the arguments of the program.
27443
27444 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27445
27446 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
27447
27448 @subsubheading Example
27449 N.A.
27450 @end ignore
27451
27452
27453 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
27454 @findex -environment-cd
27455
27456 @subsubheading Synopsis
27457
27458 @smallexample
27459 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
27460 @end smallexample
27461
27462 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
27463
27464 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27465
27466 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
27467
27468 @subsubheading Example
27469
27470 @smallexample
27471 (gdb)
27472 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27473 ^done
27474 (gdb)
27475 @end smallexample
27476
27477
27478 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
27479 @findex -environment-directory
27480
27481 @subsubheading Synopsis
27482
27483 @smallexample
27484 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27485 @end smallexample
27486
27487 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
27488 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
27489 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
27490 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27491 occurs as normal.
27492 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27493 multiple directories in a single command
27494 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27495 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27496 If blanks are needed as
27497 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27498 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27499 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27500 character must not be used
27501 in any directory name.
27502 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
27503
27504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27505
27506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
27507
27508 @subsubheading Example
27509
27510 @smallexample
27511 (gdb)
27512 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27513 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27514 (gdb)
27515 -environment-directory ""
27516 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27517 (gdb)
27518 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
27519 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
27520 (gdb)
27521 -environment-directory -r
27522 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
27523 (gdb)
27524 @end smallexample
27525
27526
27527 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
27528 @findex -environment-path
27529
27530 @subsubheading Synopsis
27531
27532 @smallexample
27533 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27534 @end smallexample
27535
27536 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
27537 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
27538 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
27539 supplied in addition to the
27540 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27541 occurs as normal.
27542 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27543 multiple directories in a single command
27544 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27545 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27546 If blanks are needed as
27547 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27548 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27549 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27550 character must not be used
27551 in any directory name.
27552 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
27553
27554
27555 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27556
27557 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
27558
27559 @subsubheading Example
27560
27561 @smallexample
27562 (gdb)
27563 -environment-path
27564 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
27565 (gdb)
27566 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
27567 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
27568 (gdb)
27569 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
27570 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
27571 (gdb)
27572 @end smallexample
27573
27574
27575 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
27576 @findex -environment-pwd
27577
27578 @subsubheading Synopsis
27579
27580 @smallexample
27581 -environment-pwd
27582 @end smallexample
27583
27584 Show the current working directory.
27585
27586 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27587
27588 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
27589
27590 @subsubheading Example
27591
27592 @smallexample
27593 (gdb)
27594 -environment-pwd
27595 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
27596 (gdb)
27597 @end smallexample
27598
27599 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27600 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
27601 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
27602
27603
27604 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
27605 @findex -thread-info
27606
27607 @subsubheading Synopsis
27608
27609 @smallexample
27610 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
27611 @end smallexample
27612
27613 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
27614 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
27615 threads. When printing information about all threads,
27616 also reports the current thread.
27617
27618 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27619
27620 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
27621 about all threads.
27622
27623 @subsubheading Result
27624
27625 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
27626 defined for a given thread:
27627
27628 @table @samp
27629 @item current
27630 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27631
27632 @item id
27633 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
27634
27635 @item target-id
27636 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
27637
27638 @item details
27639 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
27640 field is optional.
27641
27642 @item name
27643 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
27644 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
27645 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
27646 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
27647 field is omitted.
27648
27649 @item frame
27650 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
27651
27652 @item state
27653 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
27654 values:
27655
27656 @table @code
27657 @item stopped
27658 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
27659 threads.
27660
27661 @item running
27662 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
27663 threads.
27664
27665 @end table
27666
27667 @item core
27668 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
27669 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
27670
27671 @end table
27672
27673 @subsubheading Example
27674
27675 @smallexample
27676 -thread-info
27677 ^done,threads=[
27678 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27679 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
27680 args=[]@},state="running"@},
27681 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27682 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
27683 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27684 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
27685 state="running"@}],
27686 current-thread-id="1"
27687 (gdb)
27688 @end smallexample
27689
27690 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
27691 @findex -thread-list-ids
27692
27693 @subsubheading Synopsis
27694
27695 @smallexample
27696 -thread-list-ids
27697 @end smallexample
27698
27699 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
27700 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
27701
27702 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
27703 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
27704
27705 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27706
27707 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
27708
27709 @subsubheading Example
27710
27711 @smallexample
27712 (gdb)
27713 -thread-list-ids
27714 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27715 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
27716 (gdb)
27717 @end smallexample
27718
27719
27720 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
27721 @findex -thread-select
27722
27723 @subsubheading Synopsis
27724
27725 @smallexample
27726 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
27727 @end smallexample
27728
27729 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
27730 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
27731
27732 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
27733 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
27734
27735 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27736
27737 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
27738
27739 @subsubheading Example
27740
27741 @smallexample
27742 (gdb)
27743 -exec-next
27744 ^running
27745 (gdb)
27746 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
27747 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
27748 (gdb)
27749 -thread-list-ids
27750 ^done,
27751 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27752 number-of-threads="3"
27753 (gdb)
27754 -thread-select 3
27755 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
27756 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
27757 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
27758 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
27759 (gdb)
27760 @end smallexample
27761
27762 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27763 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
27764 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
27765
27766 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
27767 @findex -ada-task-info
27768
27769 @subsubheading Synopsis
27770
27771 @smallexample
27772 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
27773 @end smallexample
27774
27775 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
27776 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
27777
27778 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27779
27780 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
27781 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
27782
27783 @subsubheading Result
27784
27785 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
27786 defined for each Ada task:
27787
27788 @table @samp
27789 @item current
27790 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27791
27792 @item id
27793 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
27794
27795 @item task-id
27796 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
27797
27798 @item thread-id
27799 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
27800
27801 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
27802 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
27803 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
27804
27805 @item parent-id
27806 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
27807 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
27808
27809 @item priority
27810 The base priority of the task.
27811
27812 @item state
27813 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
27814 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
27815
27816 @item name
27817 The name of the task.
27818
27819 @end table
27820
27821 @subsubheading Example
27822
27823 @smallexample
27824 -ada-task-info
27825 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
27826 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
27827 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
27828 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
27829 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
27830 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
27831 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
27832 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
27833 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
27834 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
27835 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
27836 (gdb)
27837 @end smallexample
27838
27839 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27840 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
27841 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
27842
27843 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
27844 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
27845 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
27846 other cases.
27847
27848 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
27849 @findex -exec-continue
27850
27851 @subsubheading Synopsis
27852
27853 @smallexample
27854 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
27855 @end smallexample
27856
27857 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
27858 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
27859 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
27860 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
27861 @itemize @bullet
27862 @item
27863 breakpoints or watchpoints
27864 @item
27865 signals or exceptions
27866 @item
27867 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
27868 @item
27869 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
27870 @end itemize
27871 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
27872 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
27873 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
27874 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
27875 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
27876 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
27877
27878 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27879
27880 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
27881
27882 @subsubheading Example
27883
27884 @smallexample
27885 -exec-continue
27886 ^running
27887 (gdb)
27888 @@Hello world
27889 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
27890 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
27891 line="13"@}
27892 (gdb)
27893 @end smallexample
27894
27895
27896 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
27897 @findex -exec-finish
27898
27899 @subsubheading Synopsis
27900
27901 @smallexample
27902 -exec-finish [--reverse]
27903 @end smallexample
27904
27905 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
27906 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
27907 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
27908 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
27909 function was called.
27910
27911 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27912
27913 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
27914
27915 @subsubheading Example
27916
27917 Function returning @code{void}.
27918
27919 @smallexample
27920 -exec-finish
27921 ^running
27922 (gdb)
27923 @@hello from foo
27924 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27925 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
27926 (gdb)
27927 @end smallexample
27928
27929 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
27930 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
27931 value itself.
27932
27933 @smallexample
27934 -exec-finish
27935 ^running
27936 (gdb)
27937 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
27938 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
27939 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27940 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
27941 (gdb)
27942 @end smallexample
27943
27944
27945 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
27946 @findex -exec-interrupt
27947
27948 @subsubheading Synopsis
27949
27950 @smallexample
27951 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
27952 @end smallexample
27953
27954 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
27955 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
27956 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
27957 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
27958 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
27959
27960 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
27961 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
27962 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
27963 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
27964
27965 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
27966 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
27967 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
27968 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
27969
27970 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27971
27972 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
27973
27974 @subsubheading Example
27975
27976 @smallexample
27977 (gdb)
27978 111-exec-continue
27979 111^running
27980
27981 (gdb)
27982 222-exec-interrupt
27983 222^done
27984 (gdb)
27985 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
27986 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27987 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
27988 (gdb)
27989
27990 (gdb)
27991 -exec-interrupt
27992 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
27993 (gdb)
27994 @end smallexample
27995
27996 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
27997 @findex -exec-jump
27998
27999 @subsubheading Synopsis
28000
28001 @smallexample
28002 -exec-jump @var{location}
28003 @end smallexample
28004
28005 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
28006 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
28007 different forms of @var{location}.
28008
28009 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28010
28011 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
28012
28013 @subsubheading Example
28014
28015 @smallexample
28016 -exec-jump foo.c:10
28017 *running,thread-id="all"
28018 ^running
28019 @end smallexample
28020
28021
28022 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
28023 @findex -exec-next
28024
28025 @subsubheading Synopsis
28026
28027 @smallexample
28028 -exec-next [--reverse]
28029 @end smallexample
28030
28031 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
28032 of the next source line is reached.
28033
28034 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
28035 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
28036 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
28037 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
28038 source line where the function was called.
28039
28040
28041 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28042
28043 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
28044
28045 @subsubheading Example
28046
28047 @smallexample
28048 -exec-next
28049 ^running
28050 (gdb)
28051 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
28052 (gdb)
28053 @end smallexample
28054
28055
28056 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
28057 @findex -exec-next-instruction
28058
28059 @subsubheading Synopsis
28060
28061 @smallexample
28062 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
28063 @end smallexample
28064
28065 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
28066 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
28067 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
28068 printed as well.
28069
28070 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
28071 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
28072 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
28073 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
28074 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
28075
28076 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28077
28078 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
28079
28080 @subsubheading Example
28081
28082 @smallexample
28083 (gdb)
28084 -exec-next-instruction
28085 ^running
28086
28087 (gdb)
28088 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28089 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
28090 (gdb)
28091 @end smallexample
28092
28093
28094 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
28095 @findex -exec-return
28096
28097 @subsubheading Synopsis
28098
28099 @smallexample
28100 -exec-return
28101 @end smallexample
28102
28103 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
28104 Displays the new current frame.
28105
28106 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28107
28108 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
28109
28110 @subsubheading Example
28111
28112 @smallexample
28113 (gdb)
28114 200-break-insert callee4
28115 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
28116 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
28117 (gdb)
28118 000-exec-run
28119 000^running
28120 (gdb)
28121 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
28122 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28123 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28124 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
28125 (gdb)
28126 205-break-delete
28127 205^done
28128 (gdb)
28129 111-exec-return
28130 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
28131 args=[@{name="strarg",
28132 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28133 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28134 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28135 (gdb)
28136 @end smallexample
28137
28138
28139 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
28140 @findex -exec-run
28141
28142 @subsubheading Synopsis
28143
28144 @smallexample
28145 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
28146 @end smallexample
28147
28148 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
28149 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
28150 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
28151 the program has exited exceptionally.
28152
28153 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
28154 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
28155 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
28156 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
28157 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
28158
28159 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
28160 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
28161 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
28162 (@pxref{Starting}).
28163
28164 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28165
28166 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
28167
28168 @subsubheading Examples
28169
28170 @smallexample
28171 (gdb)
28172 -break-insert main
28173 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
28174 (gdb)
28175 -exec-run
28176 ^running
28177 (gdb)
28178 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
28179 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28180 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
28181 (gdb)
28182 @end smallexample
28183
28184 @noindent
28185 Program exited normally:
28186
28187 @smallexample
28188 (gdb)
28189 -exec-run
28190 ^running
28191 (gdb)
28192 x = 55
28193 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28194 (gdb)
28195 @end smallexample
28196
28197 @noindent
28198 Program exited exceptionally:
28199
28200 @smallexample
28201 (gdb)
28202 -exec-run
28203 ^running
28204 (gdb)
28205 x = 55
28206 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
28207 (gdb)
28208 @end smallexample
28209
28210 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
28211 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
28212
28213 @smallexample
28214 (gdb)
28215 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
28216 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
28217 @end smallexample
28218
28219
28220 @c @subheading -exec-signal
28221
28222
28223 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
28224 @findex -exec-step
28225
28226 @subsubheading Synopsis
28227
28228 @smallexample
28229 -exec-step [--reverse]
28230 @end smallexample
28231
28232 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
28233 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
28234 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
28235 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
28236 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
28237 previously executed source line.
28238
28239 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28240
28241 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
28242
28243 @subsubheading Example
28244
28245 Stepping into a function:
28246
28247 @smallexample
28248 -exec-step
28249 ^running
28250 (gdb)
28251 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28252 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
28253 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
28254 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
28255 (gdb)
28256 @end smallexample
28257
28258 Regular stepping:
28259
28260 @smallexample
28261 -exec-step
28262 ^running
28263 (gdb)
28264 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
28265 (gdb)
28266 @end smallexample
28267
28268
28269 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
28270 @findex -exec-step-instruction
28271
28272 @subsubheading Synopsis
28273
28274 @smallexample
28275 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
28276 @end smallexample
28277
28278 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
28279 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
28280 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
28281 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
28282 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
28283 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
28284 as well.
28285
28286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28287
28288 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
28289
28290 @subsubheading Example
28291
28292 @smallexample
28293 (gdb)
28294 -exec-step-instruction
28295 ^running
28296
28297 (gdb)
28298 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28299 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28300 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
28301 (gdb)
28302 -exec-step-instruction
28303 ^running
28304
28305 (gdb)
28306 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28307 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28308 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
28309 (gdb)
28310 @end smallexample
28311
28312
28313 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
28314 @findex -exec-until
28315
28316 @subsubheading Synopsis
28317
28318 @smallexample
28319 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
28320 @end smallexample
28321
28322 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
28323 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
28324 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
28325 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
28326
28327 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28328
28329 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
28330
28331 @subsubheading Example
28332
28333 @smallexample
28334 (gdb)
28335 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
28336 ^running
28337 (gdb)
28338 x = 55
28339 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28340 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
28341 (gdb)
28342 @end smallexample
28343
28344 @ignore
28345 @subheading -file-clear
28346 Is this going away????
28347 @end ignore
28348
28349 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28350 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
28351 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
28352
28353 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
28354 @findex -enable-frame-filters
28355
28356 @smallexample
28357 -enable-frame-filters
28358 @end smallexample
28359
28360 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
28361 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
28362 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28363 request that this functionality be enabled.
28364
28365 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28366
28367 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28368 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28369
28370 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
28371 @findex -stack-info-frame
28372
28373 @subsubheading Synopsis
28374
28375 @smallexample
28376 -stack-info-frame
28377 @end smallexample
28378
28379 Get info on the selected frame.
28380
28381 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28382
28383 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
28384 (without arguments).
28385
28386 @subsubheading Example
28387
28388 @smallexample
28389 (gdb)
28390 -stack-info-frame
28391 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28392 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28393 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
28394 (gdb)
28395 @end smallexample
28396
28397 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
28398 @findex -stack-info-depth
28399
28400 @subsubheading Synopsis
28401
28402 @smallexample
28403 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
28404 @end smallexample
28405
28406 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
28407 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
28408
28409 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28410
28411 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
28412
28413 @subsubheading Example
28414
28415 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
28416
28417 @smallexample
28418 (gdb)
28419 -stack-info-depth
28420 ^done,depth="12"
28421 (gdb)
28422 -stack-info-depth 4
28423 ^done,depth="4"
28424 (gdb)
28425 -stack-info-depth 12
28426 ^done,depth="12"
28427 (gdb)
28428 -stack-info-depth 11
28429 ^done,depth="11"
28430 (gdb)
28431 -stack-info-depth 13
28432 ^done,depth="12"
28433 (gdb)
28434 @end smallexample
28435
28436 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
28437 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
28438 @findex -stack-list-arguments
28439
28440 @subsubheading Synopsis
28441
28442 @smallexample
28443 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28444 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28445 @end smallexample
28446
28447 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
28448 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
28449 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
28450 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
28451 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
28452 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
28453 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
28454 which case only existing frames will be returned.
28455
28456 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28457 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28458 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28459 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28460 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28461 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28462
28463 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
28464 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
28465 are still displayed, however.
28466
28467 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
28468 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28469
28470 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28471
28472 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
28473 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
28474 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
28475
28476 @subsubheading Example
28477
28478 @smallexample
28479 (gdb)
28480 -stack-list-frames
28481 ^done,
28482 stack=[
28483 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28484 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28485 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
28486 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28487 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28488 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
28489 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
28490 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28491 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
28492 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
28493 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28494 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
28495 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
28496 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28497 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
28498 (gdb)
28499 -stack-list-arguments 0
28500 ^done,
28501 stack-args=[
28502 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28503 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
28504 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
28505 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
28506 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28507 (gdb)
28508 -stack-list-arguments 1
28509 ^done,
28510 stack-args=[
28511 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28512 frame=@{level="1",
28513 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28514 frame=@{level="2",args=[
28515 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28516 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28517 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
28518 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28519 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
28520 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
28521 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28522 (gdb)
28523 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
28524 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
28525 (gdb)
28526 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
28527 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
28528 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28529 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
28530 (gdb)
28531 @end smallexample
28532
28533 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
28534
28535
28536 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
28537 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
28538 @findex -stack-list-frames
28539
28540 @subsubheading Synopsis
28541
28542 @smallexample
28543 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28544 @end smallexample
28545
28546 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
28547 following info:
28548
28549 @table @samp
28550 @item @var{level}
28551 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
28552 @item @var{addr}
28553 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
28554 @item @var{func}
28555 Function name.
28556 @item @var{file}
28557 File name of the source file where the function lives.
28558 @item @var{fullname}
28559 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
28560 @item @var{line}
28561 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
28562 @item @var{from}
28563 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
28564 if the frame's function is not known.
28565 @end table
28566
28567 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
28568 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
28569 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
28570 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
28571 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
28572 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
28573 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
28574 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28575 Python frame filters will not be executed.
28576
28577 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28578
28579 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
28580
28581 @subsubheading Example
28582
28583 Full stack backtrace:
28584
28585 @smallexample
28586 (gdb)
28587 -stack-list-frames
28588 ^done,stack=
28589 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
28590 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
28591 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28592 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28593 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28594 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28595 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28596 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28597 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28598 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28599 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28600 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28601 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28602 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28603 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28604 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28605 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28606 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28607 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28608 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28609 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28610 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28611 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
28612 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
28613 (gdb)
28614 @end smallexample
28615
28616 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
28617
28618 @smallexample
28619 (gdb)
28620 -stack-list-frames 3 5
28621 ^done,stack=
28622 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28623 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28624 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28625 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28626 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28627 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28628 (gdb)
28629 @end smallexample
28630
28631 Show a single frame:
28632
28633 @smallexample
28634 (gdb)
28635 -stack-list-frames 3 3
28636 ^done,stack=
28637 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28638 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28639 (gdb)
28640 @end smallexample
28641
28642
28643 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
28644 @findex -stack-list-locals
28645 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
28646
28647 @subsubheading Synopsis
28648
28649 @smallexample
28650 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28651 @end smallexample
28652
28653 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
28654 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28655 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28656 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28657 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28658 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
28659 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
28660 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
28661 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28662 Python frame filters will not be executed.
28663
28664 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28665 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
28666 variables are still displayed, however.
28667
28668 This command is deprecated in favor of the
28669 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28670
28671 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28672
28673 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
28674
28675 @subsubheading Example
28676
28677 @smallexample
28678 (gdb)
28679 -stack-list-locals 0
28680 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
28681 (gdb)
28682 -stack-list-locals --all-values
28683 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
28684 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
28685 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
28686 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
28687 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
28688 (gdb)
28689 @end smallexample
28690
28691 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
28692 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
28693 @findex -stack-list-variables
28694
28695 @subsubheading Synopsis
28696
28697 @smallexample
28698 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28699 @end smallexample
28700
28701 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
28702 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28703 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28704 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28705 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28706 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28707 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28708
28709 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28710 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
28711 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
28712
28713 @subsubheading Example
28714
28715 @smallexample
28716 (gdb)
28717 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
28718 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
28719 (gdb)
28720 @end smallexample
28721
28722
28723 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
28724 @findex -stack-select-frame
28725
28726 @subsubheading Synopsis
28727
28728 @smallexample
28729 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
28730 @end smallexample
28731
28732 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
28733 the stack.
28734
28735 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
28736 option to every command.
28737
28738 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28739
28740 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
28741 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
28742
28743 @subsubheading Example
28744
28745 @smallexample
28746 (gdb)
28747 -stack-select-frame 2
28748 ^done
28749 (gdb)
28750 @end smallexample
28751
28752 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28753 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
28754 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
28755
28756 @ignore
28757
28758 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28759
28760 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
28761 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
28762 used by @code{Insight}.
28763
28764 The two main reasons for that are:
28765
28766 @enumerate 1
28767 @item
28768 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
28769
28770 @item
28771 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
28772 now).
28773 @end enumerate
28774
28775 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
28776 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
28777 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
28778 hints about their use.
28779
28780 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
28781 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
28782 least, the following operations:
28783
28784 @itemize @bullet
28785 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
28786 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
28787 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
28788 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
28789 @end itemize
28790
28791 @end ignore
28792
28793 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
28794
28795 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28796
28797 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
28798 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
28799 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
28800 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
28801 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
28802 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
28803 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
28804 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
28805 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
28806 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
28807 object, or to change display format.
28808
28809 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
28810 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
28811 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
28812 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
28813 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
28814 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
28815 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
28816 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
28817 child will be created.
28818
28819 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
28820 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
28821 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
28822 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
28823 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
28824
28825 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
28826 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
28827 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
28828 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
28829 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
28830 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
28831 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
28832 variables that frontend has created.
28833
28834 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
28835 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
28836 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
28837 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
28838 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
28839 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
28840 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
28841 implicitly updated.
28842
28843 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
28844 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
28845 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
28846 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
28847 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
28848 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
28849 frame. Consider this example:
28850
28851 @smallexample
28852 void do_work(...)
28853 @{
28854 struct work_state state;
28855
28856 if (...)
28857 do_work(...);
28858 @}
28859 @end smallexample
28860
28861 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
28862 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
28863 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
28864 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
28865 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
28866
28867 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
28868 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
28869 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
28870 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
28871 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
28872 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
28873
28874 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
28875 access this functionality:
28876
28877 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
28878 @item @strong{Operation}
28879 @tab @strong{Description}
28880
28881 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
28882 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
28883 @item @code{-var-create}
28884 @tab create a variable object
28885 @item @code{-var-delete}
28886 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
28887 @item @code{-var-set-format}
28888 @tab set the display format of this variable
28889 @item @code{-var-show-format}
28890 @tab show the display format of this variable
28891 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
28892 @tab tells how many children this object has
28893 @item @code{-var-list-children}
28894 @tab return a list of the object's children
28895 @item @code{-var-info-type}
28896 @tab show the type of this variable object
28897 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
28898 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
28899 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
28900 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
28901 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
28902 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
28903 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
28904 @tab get the value of this variable
28905 @item @code{-var-assign}
28906 @tab set the value of this variable
28907 @item @code{-var-update}
28908 @tab update the variable and its children
28909 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
28910 @tab set frozeness attribute
28911 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
28912 @tab set range of children to display on update
28913 @end multitable
28914
28915 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
28916 how it can be used.
28917
28918 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
28919
28920 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
28921 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
28922
28923 @smallexample
28924 -enable-pretty-printing
28925 @end smallexample
28926
28927 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
28928 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
28929 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28930 request that this functionality be enabled.
28931
28932 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28933
28934 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28935 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28936
28937 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
28938 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
28939
28940 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
28941 @findex -var-create
28942
28943 @subsubheading Synopsis
28944
28945 @smallexample
28946 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
28947 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
28948 @end smallexample
28949
28950 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
28951 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
28952 register.
28953
28954 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
28955 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
28956 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
28957 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
28958 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
28959
28960 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
28961 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
28962 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
28963 object must be created.
28964
28965 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
28966 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
28967
28968 @itemize @bullet
28969 @item
28970 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
28971
28972 @item
28973 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
28974
28975 @item
28976 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
28977 @end itemize
28978
28979 @cindex dynamic varobj
28980 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
28981 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
28982 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
28983 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
28984 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
28985 compatibility for existing clients.
28986
28987 @subsubheading Result
28988
28989 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
28990 are:
28991
28992 @table @samp
28993 @item name
28994 The name of the varobj.
28995
28996 @item numchild
28997 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
28998 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
28999 @samp{has_more} attribute.
29000
29001 @item value
29002 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
29003 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
29004 will not be interesting.
29005
29006 @item type
29007 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
29008 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
29009 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
29010 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
29011 @emph{declared} one.
29012
29013 @item thread-id
29014 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
29015 thread's identifier.
29016
29017 @item has_more
29018 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
29019 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
29020
29021 @item dynamic
29022 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29023 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29024 then this attribute will not be present.
29025
29026 @item displayhint
29027 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29028 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29029 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29030 @end table
29031
29032 Typical output will look like this:
29033
29034 @smallexample
29035 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
29036 has_more="@var{has_more}"
29037 @end smallexample
29038
29039
29040 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
29041 @findex -var-delete
29042
29043 @subsubheading Synopsis
29044
29045 @smallexample
29046 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
29047 @end smallexample
29048
29049 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
29050 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
29051
29052 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
29053
29054
29055 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
29056 @findex -var-set-format
29057
29058 @subsubheading Synopsis
29059
29060 @smallexample
29061 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
29062 @end smallexample
29063
29064 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
29065 @var{format-spec}.
29066
29067 @anchor{-var-set-format}
29068 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
29069
29070 @smallexample
29071 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
29072 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural | zero-hexadecimal@}
29073 @end smallexample
29074
29075 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
29076 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
29077 for pointers, etc.).
29078
29079 The zero-hexadecimal format has a representation similar to hexadecimal
29080 but with padding zeroes to the left of the value. For example, a 32-bit
29081 hexadecimal value of 0x1234 would be represented as 0x00001234 in the
29082 zero-hexadecimal format.
29083
29084 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
29085 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
29086
29087 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
29088 @findex -var-show-format
29089
29090 @subsubheading Synopsis
29091
29092 @smallexample
29093 -var-show-format @var{name}
29094 @end smallexample
29095
29096 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
29097
29098 @smallexample
29099 @var{format} @expansion{}
29100 @var{format-spec}
29101 @end smallexample
29102
29103
29104 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
29105 @findex -var-info-num-children
29106
29107 @subsubheading Synopsis
29108
29109 @smallexample
29110 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
29111 @end smallexample
29112
29113 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
29114
29115 @smallexample
29116 numchild=@var{n}
29117 @end smallexample
29118
29119 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
29120 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
29121 be available.
29122
29123
29124 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
29125 @findex -var-list-children
29126
29127 @subsubheading Synopsis
29128
29129 @smallexample
29130 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
29131 @end smallexample
29132 @anchor{-var-list-children}
29133
29134 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
29135 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
29136 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
29137 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
29138 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
29139 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
29140 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
29141 and unions.
29142
29143 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
29144 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
29145 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
29146 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
29147 reported.
29148
29149 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
29150 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
29151 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
29152 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
29153 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
29154 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
29155 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
29156 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
29157 the visible items.
29158
29159 For each child the following results are returned:
29160
29161 @table @var
29162
29163 @item name
29164 Name of the variable object created for this child.
29165
29166 @item exp
29167 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
29168 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
29169
29170 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
29171 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
29172
29173 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
29174 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
29175 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
29176 type and value are not present.
29177
29178 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
29179 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
29180 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
29181
29182 @item numchild
29183 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
29184 0.
29185
29186 @item type
29187 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
29188 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
29189 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
29190 @emph{declared} one.
29191
29192 @item value
29193 If values were requested, this is the value.
29194
29195 @item thread-id
29196 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
29197 Otherwise this result is not present.
29198
29199 @item frozen
29200 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
29201
29202 @item displayhint
29203 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29204 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29205 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29206
29207 @item dynamic
29208 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29209 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29210 then this attribute will not be present.
29211
29212 @end table
29213
29214 The result may have its own attributes:
29215
29216 @table @samp
29217 @item displayhint
29218 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29219 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29220 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29221
29222 @item has_more
29223 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
29224 remaining after the end of the selected range.
29225 @end table
29226
29227 @subsubheading Example
29228
29229 @smallexample
29230 (gdb)
29231 -var-list-children n
29232 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
29233 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
29234 (gdb)
29235 -var-list-children --all-values n
29236 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
29237 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
29238 @end smallexample
29239
29240
29241 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
29242 @findex -var-info-type
29243
29244 @subsubheading Synopsis
29245
29246 @smallexample
29247 -var-info-type @var{name}
29248 @end smallexample
29249
29250 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
29251 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
29252 @value{GDBN} CLI:
29253
29254 @smallexample
29255 type=@var{typename}
29256 @end smallexample
29257
29258
29259 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
29260 @findex -var-info-expression
29261
29262 @subsubheading Synopsis
29263
29264 @smallexample
29265 -var-info-expression @var{name}
29266 @end smallexample
29267
29268 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
29269 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
29270 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
29271
29272 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
29273 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
29274
29275 @smallexample
29276 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
29277 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
29278 @end smallexample
29279
29280 @noindent
29281 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
29282 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
29283
29284 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
29285 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
29286 is of limited use.
29287
29288 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
29289 @findex -var-info-path-expression
29290
29291 @subsubheading Synopsis
29292
29293 @smallexample
29294 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
29295 @end smallexample
29296
29297 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
29298 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
29299 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
29300 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
29301 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
29302 watchpoint from a variable object.
29303
29304 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
29305 and will give an error when invoked on one.
29306
29307 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
29308 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
29309 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
29310 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
29311 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
29312 @smallexample
29313 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
29314 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
29315 @end smallexample
29316
29317 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
29318 @findex -var-show-attributes
29319
29320 @subsubheading Synopsis
29321
29322 @smallexample
29323 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
29324 @end smallexample
29325
29326 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
29327
29328 @smallexample
29329 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
29330 @end smallexample
29331
29332 @noindent
29333 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
29334
29335 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
29336 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
29337
29338 @subsubheading Synopsis
29339
29340 @smallexample
29341 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
29342 @end smallexample
29343
29344 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
29345 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
29346 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
29347 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
29348 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
29349 the current display format will be used. The current display format
29350 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
29351
29352 @smallexample
29353 value=@var{value}
29354 @end smallexample
29355
29356 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
29357 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
29358
29359 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
29360 @findex -var-assign
29361
29362 @subsubheading Synopsis
29363
29364 @smallexample
29365 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
29366 @end smallexample
29367
29368 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
29369 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
29370 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
29371 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
29372
29373 @subsubheading Example
29374
29375 @smallexample
29376 (gdb)
29377 -var-assign var1 3
29378 ^done,value="3"
29379 (gdb)
29380 -var-update *
29381 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
29382 (gdb)
29383 @end smallexample
29384
29385 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
29386 @findex -var-update
29387
29388 @subsubheading Synopsis
29389
29390 @smallexample
29391 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
29392 @end smallexample
29393
29394 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
29395 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
29396 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
29397 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
29398 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
29399 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
29400 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
29401 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
29402 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
29403 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
29404 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
29405 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
29406 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
29407
29408 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
29409 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
29410 diagnostic.
29411
29412 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
29413 only the selected range of children will be reported.
29414
29415 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
29416 @samp{changelist}.
29417
29418 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
29419
29420 @table @samp
29421 @item name
29422 The name of the varobj.
29423
29424 @item value
29425 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
29426 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
29427
29428 @item in_scope
29429 @anchor{-var-update}
29430 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
29431
29432 @table @code
29433 @item "true"
29434 The variable object's current value is valid.
29435
29436 @item "false"
29437 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
29438 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
29439 scope.
29440
29441 @item "invalid"
29442 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
29443 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
29444 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
29445 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
29446 objects.
29447 @end table
29448
29449 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
29450 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
29451
29452 @item type_changed
29453 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
29454 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
29455 be @samp{false}.
29456
29457 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
29458 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
29459 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
29460 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
29461 unset.
29462
29463 @item new_type
29464 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
29465 hold the new type.
29466
29467 @item new_num_children
29468 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
29469 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
29470
29471 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
29472 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
29473 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
29474 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
29475 children which may be available.
29476
29477 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
29478 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
29479 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
29480 only happen at the end of the update range).
29481
29482 @item displayhint
29483 The display hint, if any.
29484
29485 @item has_more
29486 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
29487 available outside the varobj's update range.
29488
29489 @item dynamic
29490 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29491 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29492 then this attribute will not be present.
29493
29494 @item new_children
29495 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
29496 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
29497 be listed in this attribute.
29498 @end table
29499
29500 @subsubheading Example
29501
29502 @smallexample
29503 (gdb)
29504 -var-assign var1 3
29505 ^done,value="3"
29506 (gdb)
29507 -var-update --all-values var1
29508 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
29509 type_changed="false"@}]
29510 (gdb)
29511 @end smallexample
29512
29513 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
29514 @findex -var-set-frozen
29515 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
29516
29517 @subsubheading Synopsis
29518
29519 @smallexample
29520 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
29521 @end smallexample
29522
29523 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
29524 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
29525 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
29526 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
29527 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
29528 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
29529 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
29530 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
29531 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
29532 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
29533 @code{-var-update} does.
29534
29535 @subsubheading Example
29536
29537 @smallexample
29538 (gdb)
29539 -var-set-frozen V 1
29540 ^done
29541 (gdb)
29542 @end smallexample
29543
29544 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
29545 @findex -var-set-update-range
29546 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
29547
29548 @subsubheading Synopsis
29549
29550 @smallexample
29551 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
29552 @end smallexample
29553
29554 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
29555 @code{-var-update}.
29556
29557 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
29558 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
29559 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
29560 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
29561
29562 @subsubheading Example
29563
29564 @smallexample
29565 (gdb)
29566 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
29567 ^done
29568 @end smallexample
29569
29570 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
29571 @findex -var-set-visualizer
29572 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
29573
29574 @subsubheading Synopsis
29575
29576 @smallexample
29577 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
29578 @end smallexample
29579
29580 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
29581
29582 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
29583 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
29584
29585 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
29586 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
29587 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
29588 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
29589 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
29590 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
29591 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
29592
29593 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
29594 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
29595 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
29596 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
29597
29598 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
29599 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
29600 can be used to check this.
29601
29602 @subsubheading Example
29603
29604 Resetting the visualizer:
29605
29606 @smallexample
29607 (gdb)
29608 -var-set-visualizer V None
29609 ^done
29610 @end smallexample
29611
29612 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
29613
29614 @smallexample
29615 (gdb)
29616 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
29617 ^done
29618 @end smallexample
29619
29620 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
29621 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
29622
29623 @smallexample
29624 (gdb)
29625 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
29626 ^done
29627 @end smallexample
29628
29629 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29630 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
29631 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
29632
29633 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
29634 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
29635 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
29636 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
29637
29638 For details about what an addressable memory unit is,
29639 @pxref{addressable memory unit}.
29640
29641 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
29642 @c @subheading -data-assign
29643 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
29644 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
29645 @c set variable
29646 @c @subsubheading Example
29647 @c N.A.
29648
29649 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
29650 @findex -data-disassemble
29651
29652 @subsubheading Synopsis
29653
29654 @smallexample
29655 -data-disassemble
29656 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
29657 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
29658 -- @var{mode}
29659 @end smallexample
29660
29661 @noindent
29662 Where:
29663
29664 @table @samp
29665 @item @var{start-addr}
29666 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
29667 @item @var{end-addr}
29668 is the end address
29669 @item @var{filename}
29670 is the name of the file to disassemble
29671 @item @var{linenum}
29672 is the line number to disassemble around
29673 @item @var{lines}
29674 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
29675 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
29676 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
29677 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
29678 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
29679 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
29680 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
29681 are displayed.
29682 @item @var{mode}
29683 is one of:
29684 @itemize @bullet
29685 @item 0 disassembly only
29686 @item 1 mixed source and disassembly (deprecated)
29687 @item 2 disassembly with raw opcodes
29688 @item 3 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes (deprecated)
29689 @item 4 mixed source and disassembly
29690 @item 5 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes
29691 @end itemize
29692
29693 Modes 1 and 3 are deprecated. The output is ``source centric''
29694 which hasn't proved useful in practice.
29695 @xref{Machine Code}, for a discussion of the difference between
29696 @code{/m} and @code{/s} output of the @code{disassemble} command.
29697 @end table
29698
29699 @subsubheading Result
29700
29701 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
29702 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
29703 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
29704
29705 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
29706 following fields:
29707
29708 @table @code
29709 @item address
29710 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
29711
29712 @item func-name
29713 The name of the function this instruction is within.
29714
29715 @item offset
29716 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
29717
29718 @item inst
29719 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
29720
29721 @item opcodes
29722 This field is only present for modes 2, 3 and 5. This contains the raw opcode
29723 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
29724
29725 @end table
29726
29727 For modes 1, 3, 4 and 5 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
29728 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
29729
29730 @table @code
29731 @item line
29732 The line number within @samp{file}.
29733
29734 @item file
29735 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
29736 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
29737 used.
29738
29739 @item fullname
29740 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
29741 using the source file search path
29742 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
29743 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
29744
29745 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
29746 present in the debug information.
29747
29748 @item line_asm_insn
29749 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
29750 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
29751 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
29752 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
29753 @samp{opcodes}.
29754
29755 @end table
29756
29757 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
29758 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
29759 adjust its format.
29760
29761 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29762
29763 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
29764
29765 @subsubheading Example
29766
29767 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
29768
29769 @smallexample
29770 (gdb)
29771 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
29772 ^done,
29773 asm_insns=[
29774 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29775 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29776 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29777 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29778 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
29779 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
29780 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
29781 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29782 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
29783 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
29784 (gdb)
29785 @end smallexample
29786
29787 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
29788 @code{main}.
29789
29790 @smallexample
29791 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
29792 ^done,asm_insns=[
29793 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29794 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29795 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29796 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29797 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29798 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29799 [@dots{}]
29800 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
29801 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
29802 (gdb)
29803 @end smallexample
29804
29805 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
29806
29807 @smallexample
29808 (gdb)
29809 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
29810 ^done,asm_insns=[
29811 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29812 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29813 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29814 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29815 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29816 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
29817 (gdb)
29818 @end smallexample
29819
29820 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
29821
29822 @smallexample
29823 (gdb)
29824 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
29825 ^done,asm_insns=[
29826 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
29827 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29828 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29829 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
29830 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
29831 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
29832 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29833 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29834 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
29835 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29836 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29837 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
29838 (gdb)
29839 @end smallexample
29840
29841
29842 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
29843 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
29844
29845 @subsubheading Synopsis
29846
29847 @smallexample
29848 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
29849 @end smallexample
29850
29851 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
29852 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
29853 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
29854
29855 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29856
29857 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
29858 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
29859 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
29860
29861 @subsubheading Example
29862
29863 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
29864 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
29865 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
29866 output.
29867
29868 @smallexample
29869 211-data-evaluate-expression A
29870 211^done,value="1"
29871 (gdb)
29872 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
29873 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
29874 (gdb)
29875 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
29876 411^done,value="4"
29877 (gdb)
29878 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
29879 511^done,value="4"
29880 (gdb)
29881 @end smallexample
29882
29883
29884 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
29885 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
29886
29887 @subsubheading Synopsis
29888
29889 @smallexample
29890 -data-list-changed-registers
29891 @end smallexample
29892
29893 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
29894
29895 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29896
29897 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
29898 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
29899
29900 @subsubheading Example
29901
29902 On a PPC MBX board:
29903
29904 @smallexample
29905 (gdb)
29906 -exec-continue
29907 ^running
29908
29909 (gdb)
29910 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
29911 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
29912 line="5"@}
29913 (gdb)
29914 -data-list-changed-registers
29915 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
29916 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
29917 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
29918 (gdb)
29919 @end smallexample
29920
29921
29922 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
29923 @findex -data-list-register-names
29924
29925 @subsubheading Synopsis
29926
29927 @smallexample
29928 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
29929 @end smallexample
29930
29931 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
29932 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
29933 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
29934 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
29935 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
29936 include empty register names.
29937
29938 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29939
29940 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
29941 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
29942 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
29943
29944 @subsubheading Example
29945
29946 For the PPC MBX board:
29947 @smallexample
29948 (gdb)
29949 -data-list-register-names
29950 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
29951 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
29952 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
29953 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
29954 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
29955 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
29956 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
29957 (gdb)
29958 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
29959 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
29960 (gdb)
29961 @end smallexample
29962
29963 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
29964 @findex -data-list-register-values
29965
29966 @subsubheading Synopsis
29967
29968 @smallexample
29969 -data-list-register-values
29970 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
29971 @end smallexample
29972
29973 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
29974 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
29975 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
29976 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
29977 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
29978 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
29979
29980 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
29981
29982 @table @code
29983 @item x
29984 Hexadecimal
29985 @item o
29986 Octal
29987 @item t
29988 Binary
29989 @item d
29990 Decimal
29991 @item r
29992 Raw
29993 @item N
29994 Natural
29995 @end table
29996
29997 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29998
29999 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
30000 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
30001
30002 @subsubheading Example
30003
30004 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
30005 don't appear in the actual output):
30006
30007 @smallexample
30008 (gdb)
30009 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
30010 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30011 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
30012 (gdb)
30013 -data-list-register-values x
30014 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
30015 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30016 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
30017 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
30018 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
30019 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
30020 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
30021 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
30022 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
30023 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30024 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
30025 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
30026 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
30027 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
30028 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
30029 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
30030 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
30031 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
30032 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
30033 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
30034 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
30035 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
30036 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
30037 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
30038 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
30039 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
30040 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
30041 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
30042 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
30043 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
30044 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
30045 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
30046 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30047 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
30048 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
30049 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
30050 (gdb)
30051 @end smallexample
30052
30053
30054 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
30055 @findex -data-read-memory
30056
30057 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
30058
30059 @subsubheading Synopsis
30060
30061 @smallexample
30062 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
30063 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
30064 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
30065 @end smallexample
30066
30067 @noindent
30068 where:
30069
30070 @table @samp
30071 @item @var{address}
30072 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30073 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30074 quoted using the C convention.
30075
30076 @item @var{word-format}
30077 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
30078 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
30079 ,Output Formats}).
30080
30081 @item @var{word-size}
30082 The size of each memory word in bytes.
30083
30084 @item @var{nr-rows}
30085 The number of rows in the output table.
30086
30087 @item @var{nr-cols}
30088 The number of columns in the output table.
30089
30090 @item @var{aschar}
30091 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
30092 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
30093 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
30094 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
30095
30096 @item @var{byte-offset}
30097 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
30098 @end table
30099
30100 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
30101 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
30102 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
30103 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
30104 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
30105 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
30106 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
30107 @samp{addr}.
30108
30109 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
30110 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
30111 @samp{prev-page}.
30112
30113 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30114
30115 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
30116 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
30117
30118 @subsubheading Example
30119
30120 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
30121 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
30122 word. Display each word in hex.
30123
30124 @smallexample
30125 (gdb)
30126 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
30127 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
30128 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
30129 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
30130 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
30131 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
30132 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
30133 (gdb)
30134 @end smallexample
30135
30136 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
30137 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
30138
30139 @smallexample
30140 (gdb)
30141 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
30142 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
30143 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
30144 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
30145 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
30146 (gdb)
30147 @end smallexample
30148
30149 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
30150 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
30151 used as the non-printable character.
30152
30153 @smallexample
30154 (gdb)
30155 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
30156 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
30157 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
30158 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
30159 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30160 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30161 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30162 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30163 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
30164 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
30165 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
30166 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
30167 (gdb)
30168 @end smallexample
30169
30170 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
30171 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
30172
30173 @subsubheading Synopsis
30174
30175 @smallexample
30176 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{offset} ]
30177 @var{address} @var{count}
30178 @end smallexample
30179
30180 @noindent
30181 where:
30182
30183 @table @samp
30184 @item @var{address}
30185 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
30186 to be read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30187 quoted using the C convention.
30188
30189 @item @var{count}
30190 The number of addressable memory units to read. This should be an integer
30191 literal.
30192
30193 @item @var{offset}
30194 The offset relative to @var{address} at which to start reading. This
30195 should be an integer literal. This option is provided so that a frontend
30196 is not required to first evaluate address and then perform address
30197 arithmetics itself.
30198
30199 @end table
30200
30201 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
30202 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
30203 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
30204 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
30205 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
30206 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
30207
30208 In general, every single memory unit in the region may be readable or not,
30209 and the only way to read every readable unit is to try a read at
30210 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
30211 attempt to read all accessible memory units at either beginning or the end
30212 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
30213 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
30214 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
30215 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
30216
30217 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
30218 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
30219 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
30220 and has the following fields:
30221
30222 @table @code
30223 @item begin
30224 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
30225
30226 @item end
30227 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
30228
30229 @item offset
30230 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
30231 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
30232
30233 @item contents
30234 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
30235
30236 @end table
30237
30238
30239
30240 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30241
30242 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
30243
30244 @subsubheading Example
30245
30246 @smallexample
30247 (gdb)
30248 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
30249 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
30250 end="0xbffff15e",
30251 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
30252 (gdb)
30253 @end smallexample
30254
30255
30256 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
30257 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
30258
30259 @subsubheading Synopsis
30260
30261 @smallexample
30262 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
30263 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
30264 @end smallexample
30265
30266 @noindent
30267 where:
30268
30269 @table @samp
30270 @item @var{address}
30271 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
30272 to be written. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should
30273 be quoted using the C convention.
30274
30275 @item @var{contents}
30276 The hex-encoded data to write. It is an error if @var{contents} does
30277 not represent an integral number of addressable memory units.
30278
30279 @item @var{count}
30280 Optional argument indicating the number of addressable memory units to be
30281 written. If @var{count} is greater than @var{contents}' length,
30282 @value{GDBN} will repeatedly write @var{contents} until it fills
30283 @var{count} memory units.
30284
30285 @end table
30286
30287 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30288
30289 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30290
30291 @subsubheading Example
30292
30293 @smallexample
30294 (gdb)
30295 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
30296 ^done
30297 (gdb)
30298 @end smallexample
30299
30300 @smallexample
30301 (gdb)
30302 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
30303 ^done
30304 (gdb)
30305 @end smallexample
30306
30307 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30308 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
30309 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
30310
30311 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
30312 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
30313
30314 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
30315 @findex -trace-find
30316
30317 @subsubheading Synopsis
30318
30319 @smallexample
30320 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
30321 @end smallexample
30322
30323 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
30324 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
30325 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
30326
30327 @table @samp
30328
30329 @item none
30330 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
30331
30332 @item frame-number
30333 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
30334 that index.
30335
30336 @item tracepoint-number
30337 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
30338 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
30339
30340 @item pc
30341 An address is required as parameter. Finds
30342 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
30343 address.
30344
30345 @item pc-inside-range
30346 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
30347 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
30348 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
30349
30350 @item pc-outside-range
30351 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
30352 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
30353 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
30354
30355 @item line
30356 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
30357 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
30358 the specified location.
30359
30360 @end table
30361
30362 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
30363 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
30364
30365 @table @samp
30366 @item found
30367 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
30368 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
30369
30370 @item traceframe
30371 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
30372 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
30373
30374 @item tracepoint
30375 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
30376 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
30377
30378 @item frame
30379 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
30380 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
30381 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
30382
30383 @end table
30384
30385 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30386
30387 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
30388
30389 @subheading -trace-define-variable
30390 @findex -trace-define-variable
30391
30392 @subsubheading Synopsis
30393
30394 @smallexample
30395 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
30396 @end smallexample
30397
30398 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
30399 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
30400 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
30401 with the @samp{$} character.
30402
30403 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30404
30405 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
30406
30407 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
30408 @findex -trace-frame-collected
30409
30410 @subsubheading Synopsis
30411
30412 @smallexample
30413 -trace-frame-collected
30414 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
30415 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
30416 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
30417 [--memory-contents]
30418 @end smallexample
30419
30420 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
30421 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
30422 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
30423 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
30424 See the output description table below for more details.
30425
30426 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
30427 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
30428 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
30429 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
30430 memory range and which is a computed expression.
30431
30432 For instance, if the actions were
30433 @smallexample
30434 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
30435 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
30436 @end smallexample
30437
30438 @noindent
30439 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
30440 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
30441 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
30442 objects would be computed expressions.
30443
30444 An example output would be:
30445
30446 @smallexample
30447 (gdb)
30448 -trace-frame-collected
30449 ^done,
30450 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
30451 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
30452 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
30453 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
30454 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
30455 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
30456 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
30457 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
30458 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
30459 ...
30460 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
30461 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
30462 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
30463 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
30464 (gdb)
30465 @end smallexample
30466
30467 Where:
30468
30469 @table @code
30470 @item explicit-variables
30471 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
30472 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
30473 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
30474 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
30475 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
30476 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
30477 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
30478 arrays, structures and unions.
30479
30480 @item computed-expressions
30481 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
30482 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
30483 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
30484 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
30485
30486 @item registers
30487 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
30488 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
30489 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
30490 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
30491 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
30492
30493 @item tvars
30494 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
30495 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
30496 current value are returned.
30497
30498 @item memory
30499 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
30500 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
30501 collected memory range and has the following fields:
30502
30503 @table @code
30504 @item address
30505 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
30506
30507 @item length
30508 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
30509
30510 @item contents
30511 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
30512 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
30513
30514 @end table
30515
30516 @end table
30517
30518 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30519
30520 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30521
30522 @subsubheading Example
30523
30524 @subheading -trace-list-variables
30525 @findex -trace-list-variables
30526
30527 @subsubheading Synopsis
30528
30529 @smallexample
30530 -trace-list-variables
30531 @end smallexample
30532
30533 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
30534 table has the following fields:
30535
30536 @table @samp
30537 @item name
30538 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
30539
30540 @item initial
30541 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
30542 field is always present.
30543
30544 @item current
30545 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
30546 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
30547 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
30548 presently running.
30549
30550 @end table
30551
30552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30553
30554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
30555
30556 @subsubheading Example
30557
30558 @smallexample
30559 (gdb)
30560 -trace-list-variables
30561 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
30562 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
30563 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
30564 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
30565 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
30566 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
30567 (gdb)
30568 @end smallexample
30569
30570 @subheading -trace-save
30571 @findex -trace-save
30572
30573 @subsubheading Synopsis
30574
30575 @smallexample
30576 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
30577 @end smallexample
30578
30579 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
30580 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
30581 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
30582 to perform the save.
30583
30584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30585
30586 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
30587
30588
30589 @subheading -trace-start
30590 @findex -trace-start
30591
30592 @subsubheading Synopsis
30593
30594 @smallexample
30595 -trace-start
30596 @end smallexample
30597
30598 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
30599 have any fields.
30600
30601 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30602
30603 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
30604
30605 @subheading -trace-status
30606 @findex -trace-status
30607
30608 @subsubheading Synopsis
30609
30610 @smallexample
30611 -trace-status
30612 @end smallexample
30613
30614 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
30615 the following fields:
30616
30617 @table @samp
30618
30619 @item supported
30620 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
30621 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
30622 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
30623 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
30624 started. This field is always present.
30625
30626 @item running
30627 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
30628 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
30629 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30630
30631 @item stop-reason
30632 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
30633 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
30634 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
30635 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
30636 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
30637 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
30638 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
30639 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
30640 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30641
30642 @item stopping-tracepoint
30643 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
30644 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
30645 @samp{passcount}.
30646
30647 @item frames
30648 @itemx frames-created
30649 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
30650 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
30651 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
30652 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
30653
30654 @item buffer-size
30655 @itemx buffer-free
30656 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
30657 remaining space. These fields are optional.
30658
30659 @item circular
30660 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
30661 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
30662 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
30663 and may fill up.
30664
30665 @item disconnected
30666 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
30667 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
30668 that the trace run will stop.
30669
30670 @item trace-file
30671 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
30672 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
30673
30674 @end table
30675
30676 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30677
30678 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
30679
30680 @subheading -trace-stop
30681 @findex -trace-stop
30682
30683 @subsubheading Synopsis
30684
30685 @smallexample
30686 -trace-stop
30687 @end smallexample
30688
30689 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
30690 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
30691 @samp{running} fields are not output.
30692
30693 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30694
30695 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
30696
30697
30698 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30699 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
30700 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
30701
30702
30703 @ignore
30704 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
30705 @findex -symbol-info-address
30706
30707 @subsubheading Synopsis
30708
30709 @smallexample
30710 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
30711 @end smallexample
30712
30713 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
30714
30715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30716
30717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
30718
30719 @subsubheading Example
30720 N.A.
30721
30722
30723 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
30724 @findex -symbol-info-file
30725
30726 @subsubheading Synopsis
30727
30728 @smallexample
30729 -symbol-info-file
30730 @end smallexample
30731
30732 Show the file for the symbol.
30733
30734 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30735
30736 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
30737 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
30738
30739 @subsubheading Example
30740 N.A.
30741
30742
30743 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
30744 @findex -symbol-info-function
30745
30746 @subsubheading Synopsis
30747
30748 @smallexample
30749 -symbol-info-function
30750 @end smallexample
30751
30752 Show which function the symbol lives in.
30753
30754 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30755
30756 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
30757
30758 @subsubheading Example
30759 N.A.
30760
30761
30762 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
30763 @findex -symbol-info-line
30764
30765 @subsubheading Synopsis
30766
30767 @smallexample
30768 -symbol-info-line
30769 @end smallexample
30770
30771 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
30772
30773 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30774
30775 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
30776 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
30777
30778 @subsubheading Example
30779 N.A.
30780
30781
30782 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
30783 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
30784
30785 @subsubheading Synopsis
30786
30787 @smallexample
30788 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
30789 @end smallexample
30790
30791 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
30792
30793 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30794
30795 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
30796
30797 @subsubheading Example
30798 N.A.
30799
30800
30801 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
30802 @findex -symbol-list-functions
30803
30804 @subsubheading Synopsis
30805
30806 @smallexample
30807 -symbol-list-functions
30808 @end smallexample
30809
30810 List the functions in the executable.
30811
30812 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30813
30814 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
30815 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30816
30817 @subsubheading Example
30818 N.A.
30819 @end ignore
30820
30821
30822 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
30823 @findex -symbol-list-lines
30824
30825 @subsubheading Synopsis
30826
30827 @smallexample
30828 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
30829 @end smallexample
30830
30831 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
30832 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
30833 ascending PC order.
30834
30835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30836
30837 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30838
30839 @subsubheading Example
30840 @smallexample
30841 (gdb)
30842 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
30843 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
30844 (gdb)
30845 @end smallexample
30846
30847
30848 @ignore
30849 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
30850 @findex -symbol-list-types
30851
30852 @subsubheading Synopsis
30853
30854 @smallexample
30855 -symbol-list-types
30856 @end smallexample
30857
30858 List all the type names.
30859
30860 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30861
30862 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
30863 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30864
30865 @subsubheading Example
30866 N.A.
30867
30868
30869 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
30870 @findex -symbol-list-variables
30871
30872 @subsubheading Synopsis
30873
30874 @smallexample
30875 -symbol-list-variables
30876 @end smallexample
30877
30878 List all the global and static variable names.
30879
30880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30881
30882 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30883
30884 @subsubheading Example
30885 N.A.
30886
30887
30888 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
30889 @findex -symbol-locate
30890
30891 @subsubheading Synopsis
30892
30893 @smallexample
30894 -symbol-locate
30895 @end smallexample
30896
30897 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30898
30899 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
30900
30901 @subsubheading Example
30902 N.A.
30903
30904
30905 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
30906 @findex -symbol-type
30907
30908 @subsubheading Synopsis
30909
30910 @smallexample
30911 -symbol-type @var{variable}
30912 @end smallexample
30913
30914 Show type of @var{variable}.
30915
30916 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30917
30918 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
30919 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
30920
30921 @subsubheading Example
30922 N.A.
30923 @end ignore
30924
30925
30926 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30927 @node GDB/MI File Commands
30928 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
30929
30930 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
30931 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
30932
30933 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
30934 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
30935
30936 @subsubheading Synopsis
30937
30938 @smallexample
30939 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
30940 @end smallexample
30941
30942 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
30943 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
30944 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
30945 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
30946 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
30947 notification.
30948
30949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30950
30951 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
30952
30953 @subsubheading Example
30954
30955 @smallexample
30956 (gdb)
30957 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30958 ^done
30959 (gdb)
30960 @end smallexample
30961
30962
30963 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
30964 @findex -file-exec-file
30965
30966 @subsubheading Synopsis
30967
30968 @smallexample
30969 -file-exec-file @var{file}
30970 @end smallexample
30971
30972 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
30973 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
30974 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
30975 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
30976 notification.
30977
30978 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30979
30980 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
30981
30982 @subsubheading Example
30983
30984 @smallexample
30985 (gdb)
30986 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30987 ^done
30988 (gdb)
30989 @end smallexample
30990
30991
30992 @ignore
30993 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
30994 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
30995
30996 @subsubheading Synopsis
30997
30998 @smallexample
30999 -file-list-exec-sections
31000 @end smallexample
31001
31002 List the sections of the current executable file.
31003
31004 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31005
31006 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
31007 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
31008 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
31009
31010 @subsubheading Example
31011 N.A.
31012 @end ignore
31013
31014
31015 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
31016 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
31017
31018 @subsubheading Synopsis
31019
31020 @smallexample
31021 -file-list-exec-source-file
31022 @end smallexample
31023
31024 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
31025 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
31026 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
31027 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
31028
31029 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31030
31031 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
31032
31033 @subsubheading Example
31034
31035 @smallexample
31036 (gdb)
31037 123-file-list-exec-source-file
31038 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
31039 (gdb)
31040 @end smallexample
31041
31042
31043 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
31044 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
31045
31046 @subsubheading Synopsis
31047
31048 @smallexample
31049 -file-list-exec-source-files
31050 @end smallexample
31051
31052 List the source files for the current executable.
31053
31054 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
31055 name) of a source file.
31056
31057 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31058
31059 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
31060 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
31061
31062 @subsubheading Example
31063 @smallexample
31064 (gdb)
31065 -file-list-exec-source-files
31066 ^done,files=[
31067 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
31068 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
31069 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
31070 (gdb)
31071 @end smallexample
31072
31073 @ignore
31074 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
31075 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
31076
31077 @subsubheading Synopsis
31078
31079 @smallexample
31080 -file-list-shared-libraries
31081 @end smallexample
31082
31083 List the shared libraries in the program.
31084
31085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31086
31087 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
31088
31089 @subsubheading Example
31090 N.A.
31091
31092
31093 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
31094 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
31095
31096 @subsubheading Synopsis
31097
31098 @smallexample
31099 -file-list-symbol-files
31100 @end smallexample
31101
31102 List symbol files.
31103
31104 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31105
31106 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
31107
31108 @subsubheading Example
31109 N.A.
31110 @end ignore
31111
31112
31113 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
31114 @findex -file-symbol-file
31115
31116 @subsubheading Synopsis
31117
31118 @smallexample
31119 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
31120 @end smallexample
31121
31122 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
31123 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
31124 produced, except for a completion notification.
31125
31126 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31127
31128 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
31129
31130 @subsubheading Example
31131
31132 @smallexample
31133 (gdb)
31134 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31135 ^done
31136 (gdb)
31137 @end smallexample
31138
31139 @ignore
31140 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31141 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
31142 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
31143
31144 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
31145
31146 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
31147
31148 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
31149
31150 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
31151
31152 @c @subheading -overlay-map
31153
31154 @c @subheading -overlay-off
31155
31156 @c @subheading -overlay-on
31157
31158 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
31159
31160 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31161 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
31162 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
31163
31164 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
31165
31166 @c @subheading -signal-handle
31167
31168 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
31169
31170 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
31171 @end ignore
31172
31173
31174 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31175 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
31176 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
31177
31178
31179 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
31180 @findex -target-attach
31181
31182 @subsubheading Synopsis
31183
31184 @smallexample
31185 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
31186 @end smallexample
31187
31188 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
31189 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
31190 group, the id previously returned by
31191 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
31192
31193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31194
31195 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
31196
31197 @subsubheading Example
31198 @smallexample
31199 (gdb)
31200 -target-attach 34
31201 =thread-created,id="1"
31202 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
31203 ^done
31204 (gdb)
31205 @end smallexample
31206
31207 @ignore
31208 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
31209 @findex -target-compare-sections
31210
31211 @subsubheading Synopsis
31212
31213 @smallexample
31214 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
31215 @end smallexample
31216
31217 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
31218 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
31219
31220 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31221
31222 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
31223
31224 @subsubheading Example
31225 N.A.
31226 @end ignore
31227
31228
31229 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
31230 @findex -target-detach
31231
31232 @subsubheading Synopsis
31233
31234 @smallexample
31235 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
31236 @end smallexample
31237
31238 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
31239 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
31240 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
31241
31242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31243
31244 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
31245
31246 @subsubheading Example
31247
31248 @smallexample
31249 (gdb)
31250 -target-detach
31251 ^done
31252 (gdb)
31253 @end smallexample
31254
31255
31256 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
31257 @findex -target-disconnect
31258
31259 @subsubheading Synopsis
31260
31261 @smallexample
31262 -target-disconnect
31263 @end smallexample
31264
31265 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
31266 generally not resumed.
31267
31268 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31269
31270 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
31271
31272 @subsubheading Example
31273
31274 @smallexample
31275 (gdb)
31276 -target-disconnect
31277 ^done
31278 (gdb)
31279 @end smallexample
31280
31281
31282 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
31283 @findex -target-download
31284
31285 @subsubheading Synopsis
31286
31287 @smallexample
31288 -target-download
31289 @end smallexample
31290
31291 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
31292 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
31293
31294 @table @samp
31295 @item section
31296 The name of the section.
31297 @item section-sent
31298 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
31299 @item section-size
31300 The size of the section.
31301 @item total-sent
31302 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
31303 @item total-size
31304 The size of the overall executable to download.
31305 @end table
31306
31307 @noindent
31308 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
31309 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
31310
31311 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
31312 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
31313
31314 @table @samp
31315 @item section
31316 The name of the section.
31317 @item section-size
31318 The size of the section.
31319 @item total-size
31320 The size of the overall executable to download.
31321 @end table
31322
31323 @noindent
31324 At the end, a summary is printed.
31325
31326 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31327
31328 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
31329
31330 @subsubheading Example
31331
31332 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
31333 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
31334
31335 @smallexample
31336 (gdb)
31337 -target-download
31338 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
31339 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
31340 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
31341 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
31342 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
31343 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
31344 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
31345 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
31346 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
31347 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
31348 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
31349 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
31350 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
31351 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
31352 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
31353 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
31354 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
31355 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
31356 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
31357 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
31358 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
31359 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
31360 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
31361 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
31362 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
31363 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
31364 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
31365 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
31366 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
31367 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
31368 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
31369 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
31370 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
31371 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
31372 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
31373 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
31374 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
31375 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
31376 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
31377 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
31378 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
31379 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
31380 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
31381 write-rate="429"
31382 (gdb)
31383 @end smallexample
31384
31385
31386 @ignore
31387 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
31388 @findex -target-exec-status
31389
31390 @subsubheading Synopsis
31391
31392 @smallexample
31393 -target-exec-status
31394 @end smallexample
31395
31396 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
31397 not, for instance).
31398
31399 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31400
31401 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31402
31403 @subsubheading Example
31404 N.A.
31405
31406
31407 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
31408 @findex -target-list-available-targets
31409
31410 @subsubheading Synopsis
31411
31412 @smallexample
31413 -target-list-available-targets
31414 @end smallexample
31415
31416 List the possible targets to connect to.
31417
31418 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31419
31420 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
31421
31422 @subsubheading Example
31423 N.A.
31424
31425
31426 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
31427 @findex -target-list-current-targets
31428
31429 @subsubheading Synopsis
31430
31431 @smallexample
31432 -target-list-current-targets
31433 @end smallexample
31434
31435 Describe the current target.
31436
31437 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31438
31439 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
31440 other things).
31441
31442 @subsubheading Example
31443 N.A.
31444
31445
31446 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
31447 @findex -target-list-parameters
31448
31449 @subsubheading Synopsis
31450
31451 @smallexample
31452 -target-list-parameters
31453 @end smallexample
31454
31455 @c ????
31456 @end ignore
31457
31458 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31459
31460 No equivalent.
31461
31462 @subsubheading Example
31463 N.A.
31464
31465
31466 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
31467 @findex -target-select
31468
31469 @subsubheading Synopsis
31470
31471 @smallexample
31472 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
31473 @end smallexample
31474
31475 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
31476
31477 @table @samp
31478 @item @var{type}
31479 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
31480 @item @var{parameters}
31481 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
31482 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
31483 @end table
31484
31485 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
31486 which the target program is, in the following form:
31487
31488 @smallexample
31489 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
31490 args=[@var{arg list}]
31491 @end smallexample
31492
31493 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31494
31495 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
31496
31497 @subsubheading Example
31498
31499 @smallexample
31500 (gdb)
31501 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
31502 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
31503 (gdb)
31504 @end smallexample
31505
31506 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31507 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
31508 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
31509
31510
31511 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
31512 @findex -target-file-put
31513
31514 @subsubheading Synopsis
31515
31516 @smallexample
31517 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
31518 @end smallexample
31519
31520 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
31521 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
31522
31523 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31524
31525 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
31526
31527 @subsubheading Example
31528
31529 @smallexample
31530 (gdb)
31531 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
31532 ^done
31533 (gdb)
31534 @end smallexample
31535
31536
31537 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
31538 @findex -target-file-get
31539
31540 @subsubheading Synopsis
31541
31542 @smallexample
31543 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
31544 @end smallexample
31545
31546 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
31547 on the host system.
31548
31549 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31550
31551 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
31552
31553 @subsubheading Example
31554
31555 @smallexample
31556 (gdb)
31557 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
31558 ^done
31559 (gdb)
31560 @end smallexample
31561
31562
31563 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
31564 @findex -target-file-delete
31565
31566 @subsubheading Synopsis
31567
31568 @smallexample
31569 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
31570 @end smallexample
31571
31572 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
31573
31574 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31575
31576 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
31577
31578 @subsubheading Example
31579
31580 @smallexample
31581 (gdb)
31582 -target-file-delete remotefile
31583 ^done
31584 (gdb)
31585 @end smallexample
31586
31587
31588 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31589 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
31590 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31591
31592 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
31593 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
31594
31595 @subsubheading Synopsis
31596
31597 @smallexample
31598 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
31599 @end smallexample
31600
31601 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
31602 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
31603 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
31604
31605 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31606
31607 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
31608
31609 @subsubheading Result
31610
31611 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
31612 defined for each exception:
31613
31614 @table @samp
31615 @item name
31616 The name of the exception.
31617
31618 @item address
31619 The address of the exception.
31620
31621 @end table
31622
31623 @subsubheading Example
31624
31625 @smallexample
31626 -info-ada-exceptions aint
31627 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
31628 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31629 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
31630 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
31631 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
31632 @end smallexample
31633
31634 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
31635
31636 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
31637 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
31638 Catchpoint Commands}.
31639
31640
31641 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31642 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
31643 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
31644
31645 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
31646 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
31647 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
31648 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
31649
31650 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
31651 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
31652 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
31653
31654 @subsubheading Synopsis
31655
31656 @smallexample
31657 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
31658 @end smallexample
31659
31660 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
31661
31662 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
31663 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
31664 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
31665 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
31666 dash.
31667
31668 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31669
31670 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31671
31672 @subsubheading Result
31673
31674 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
31675
31676 @table @samp
31677 @item exists
31678 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
31679 @code{"false"} otherwise.
31680
31681 @end table
31682
31683 @subsubheading Example
31684
31685 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
31686
31687 @smallexample
31688 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
31689 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
31690 @end smallexample
31691
31692 @noindent
31693 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
31694 to the debugger:
31695
31696 @smallexample
31697 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
31698 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
31699 @end smallexample
31700
31701 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
31702 @findex -list-features
31703 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
31704
31705 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
31706 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
31707 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
31708 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
31709 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
31710 startup.
31711
31712 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
31713 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
31714 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
31715 is given below.
31716
31717 Example output:
31718
31719 @smallexample
31720 (gdb) -list-features
31721 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
31722 @end smallexample
31723
31724 The current list of features is:
31725
31726 @ftable @samp
31727 @item frozen-varobjs
31728 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
31729 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
31730 of @code{-varobj-create}.
31731 @item pending-breakpoints
31732 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
31733 command.
31734 @item python
31735 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
31736 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
31737 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
31738 @item thread-info
31739 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
31740 @item data-read-memory-bytes
31741 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
31742 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
31743 @item breakpoint-notifications
31744 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
31745 CLI will be announced via async records.
31746 @item ada-task-info
31747 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
31748 @item language-option
31749 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
31750 option (@pxref{Context management}).
31751 @item info-gdb-mi-command
31752 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
31753 @item undefined-command-error-code
31754 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
31755 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
31756 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
31757 @item exec-run-start-option
31758 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
31759 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
31760 @end ftable
31761
31762 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
31763 @findex -list-target-features
31764
31765 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
31766 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
31767 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
31768 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
31769 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
31770 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
31771 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
31772 Example output:
31773
31774 @smallexample
31775 (gdb) -list-target-features
31776 ^done,result=["async"]
31777 @end smallexample
31778
31779 The current list of features is:
31780
31781 @table @samp
31782 @item async
31783 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
31784 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
31785 while the target is running.
31786
31787 @item reverse
31788 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
31789 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31790
31791 @end table
31792
31793 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31794 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
31795 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31796
31797 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
31798
31799 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
31800 @findex -gdb-exit
31801
31802 @subsubheading Synopsis
31803
31804 @smallexample
31805 -gdb-exit
31806 @end smallexample
31807
31808 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
31809
31810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31811
31812 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
31813
31814 @subsubheading Example
31815
31816 @smallexample
31817 (gdb)
31818 -gdb-exit
31819 ^exit
31820 @end smallexample
31821
31822
31823 @ignore
31824 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
31825 @findex -exec-abort
31826
31827 @subsubheading Synopsis
31828
31829 @smallexample
31830 -exec-abort
31831 @end smallexample
31832
31833 Kill the inferior running program.
31834
31835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31836
31837 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
31838
31839 @subsubheading Example
31840 N.A.
31841 @end ignore
31842
31843
31844 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
31845 @findex -gdb-set
31846
31847 @subsubheading Synopsis
31848
31849 @smallexample
31850 -gdb-set
31851 @end smallexample
31852
31853 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
31854 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
31855
31856 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31857
31858 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
31859
31860 @subsubheading Example
31861
31862 @smallexample
31863 (gdb)
31864 -gdb-set $foo=3
31865 ^done
31866 (gdb)
31867 @end smallexample
31868
31869
31870 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
31871 @findex -gdb-show
31872
31873 @subsubheading Synopsis
31874
31875 @smallexample
31876 -gdb-show
31877 @end smallexample
31878
31879 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
31880
31881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31882
31883 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
31884
31885 @subsubheading Example
31886
31887 @smallexample
31888 (gdb)
31889 -gdb-show annotate
31890 ^done,value="0"
31891 (gdb)
31892 @end smallexample
31893
31894 @c @subheading -gdb-source
31895
31896
31897 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
31898 @findex -gdb-version
31899
31900 @subsubheading Synopsis
31901
31902 @smallexample
31903 -gdb-version
31904 @end smallexample
31905
31906 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
31907
31908 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31909
31910 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
31911 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
31912
31913 @subsubheading Example
31914
31915 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
31916 @c box in TeX.
31917 @smallexample
31918 (gdb)
31919 -gdb-version
31920 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
31921 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31922 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
31923 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
31924 ~ certain conditions.
31925 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31926 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
31927 ~ details.
31928 ~This GDB was configured as
31929 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
31930 ^done
31931 (gdb)
31932 @end smallexample
31933
31934 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
31935 @findex -list-thread-groups
31936
31937 @subheading Synopsis
31938
31939 @smallexample
31940 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
31941 @end smallexample
31942
31943 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
31944 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
31945 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
31946 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
31947 top-level thread groups.
31948
31949 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
31950 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
31951 available on the target.
31952
31953 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
31954 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
31955 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
31956 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
31957 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
31958 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
31959 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
31960 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
31961
31962 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
31963 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
31964 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
31965 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
31966 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
31967 @samp{threads} field.
31968
31969 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
31970 the following caveats:
31971
31972 @itemize @bullet
31973 @item
31974 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
31975 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
31976 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
31977
31978 @item
31979 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
31980 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
31981 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
31982 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
31983 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
31984 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
31985
31986 @end itemize
31987
31988 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
31989 have the following fields:
31990
31991 @table @code
31992 @item id
31993 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
31994 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
31995 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
31996
31997 @item type
31998 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
31999 valid type.
32000
32001 @item pid
32002 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
32003 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
32004
32005 @item exit-code
32006 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
32007 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
32008 only if the process is not running.
32009
32010 @item num_children
32011 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
32012 absent for an available thread group.
32013
32014 @item threads
32015 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
32016 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
32017 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
32018
32019 @item cores
32020 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
32021 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
32022 such information is not available.
32023
32024 @item executable
32025 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
32026 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
32027 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
32028
32029 @end table
32030
32031 @subheading Example
32032
32033 @smallexample
32034 @value{GDBP}
32035 -list-thread-groups
32036 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
32037 -list-thread-groups 17
32038 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
32039 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
32040 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
32041 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
32042 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
32043 -list-thread-groups --available
32044 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
32045 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
32046 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32047 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32048 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
32049 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
32050 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32051 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32052 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
32053 @end smallexample
32054
32055 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
32056 @findex -info-os
32057
32058 @subsubheading Synopsis
32059
32060 @smallexample
32061 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
32062 @end smallexample
32063
32064 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
32065 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
32066 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
32067 of data of that type.
32068
32069 The types of information available depend on the target operating
32070 system.
32071
32072 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32073
32074 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
32075
32076 @subsubheading Example
32077
32078 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
32079 like this:
32080
32081 @smallexample
32082 @value{GDBP}
32083 -info-os
32084 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="10",nr_cols="3",
32085 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
32086 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
32087 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
32088 body=[item=@{col0="cpus",col1="Listing of all cpus/cores on the system",
32089 col2="CPUs"@},
32090 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
32091 col2="File descriptors"@},
32092 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
32093 col2="Kernel modules"@},
32094 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
32095 col2="Message queues"@},
32096 item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
32097 col2="Processes"@},
32098 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
32099 col2="Process groups"@},
32100 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
32101 col2="Semaphores"@},
32102 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
32103 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
32104 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
32105 col2="Sockets"@},
32106 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
32107 col2="Threads"@}]
32108 @value{GDBP}
32109 -info-os processes
32110 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
32111 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
32112 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
32113 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
32114 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
32115 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
32116 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
32117 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
32118 ...
32119 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
32120 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
32121 (gdb)
32122 @end smallexample
32123
32124 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
32125 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
32126 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
32127 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
32128 @code{info os} omits it.)
32129
32130 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
32131 @findex -add-inferior
32132
32133 @subheading Synopsis
32134
32135 @smallexample
32136 -add-inferior
32137 @end smallexample
32138
32139 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
32140 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
32141 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
32142 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
32143 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
32144 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
32145
32146 @subheading Example
32147
32148 @smallexample
32149 @value{GDBP}
32150 -add-inferior
32151 ^done,inferior="i3"
32152 @end smallexample
32153
32154 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
32155 @findex -interpreter-exec
32156
32157 @subheading Synopsis
32158
32159 @smallexample
32160 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
32161 @end smallexample
32162 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
32163
32164 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
32165
32166 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32167
32168 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
32169
32170 @subheading Example
32171
32172 @smallexample
32173 (gdb)
32174 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
32175 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
32176 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
32177 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
32178 ^done
32179 (gdb)
32180 @end smallexample
32181
32182 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
32183 @findex -inferior-tty-set
32184
32185 @subheading Synopsis
32186
32187 @smallexample
32188 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32189 @end smallexample
32190
32191 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
32192
32193 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32194
32195 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
32196
32197 @subheading Example
32198
32199 @smallexample
32200 (gdb)
32201 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32202 ^done
32203 (gdb)
32204 @end smallexample
32205
32206 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
32207 @findex -inferior-tty-show
32208
32209 @subheading Synopsis
32210
32211 @smallexample
32212 -inferior-tty-show
32213 @end smallexample
32214
32215 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
32216
32217 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32218
32219 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
32220
32221 @subheading Example
32222
32223 @smallexample
32224 (gdb)
32225 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32226 ^done
32227 (gdb)
32228 -inferior-tty-show
32229 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
32230 (gdb)
32231 @end smallexample
32232
32233 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
32234 @findex -enable-timings
32235
32236 @subheading Synopsis
32237
32238 @smallexample
32239 -enable-timings [yes | no]
32240 @end smallexample
32241
32242 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
32243 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
32244 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
32245 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
32246
32247 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32248
32249 No equivalent.
32250
32251 @subheading Example
32252
32253 @smallexample
32254 (gdb)
32255 -enable-timings
32256 ^done
32257 (gdb)
32258 -break-insert main
32259 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
32260 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
32261 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
32262 times="0"@},
32263 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
32264 (gdb)
32265 -enable-timings no
32266 ^done
32267 (gdb)
32268 -exec-run
32269 ^running
32270 (gdb)
32271 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
32272 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
32273 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
32274 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
32275 (gdb)
32276 @end smallexample
32277
32278 @node Annotations
32279 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
32280
32281 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
32282 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
32283 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
32284 relatively high level.
32285
32286 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
32287 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
32288
32289 @ignore
32290 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
32291 @end ignore
32292
32293 @menu
32294 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
32295 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
32296 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
32297 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
32298 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
32299 * Annotations for Running::
32300 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
32301 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
32302 @end menu
32303
32304 @node Annotations Overview
32305 @section What is an Annotation?
32306 @cindex annotations
32307
32308 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
32309 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
32310 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
32311 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
32312 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
32313 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
32314 cannot contain newline characters.
32315
32316 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
32317 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
32318 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
32319 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
32320 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
32321 means those three characters as output.
32322
32323 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
32324 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
32325 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
32326 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
32327 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
32328 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
32329 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
32330 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
32331 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
32332
32333 @table @code
32334 @kindex set annotate
32335 @item set annotate @var{level}
32336 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
32337 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
32338
32339 @item show annotate
32340 @kindex show annotate
32341 Show the current annotation level.
32342 @end table
32343
32344 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
32345
32346 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
32347
32348 @smallexample
32349 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
32350 GNU gdb 6.0
32351 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32352 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
32353 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
32354 under certain conditions.
32355 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32356 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
32357 for details.
32358 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
32359
32360 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
32361 (@value{GDBP})
32362 ^Z^Zprompt
32363 @kbd{quit}
32364
32365 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
32366 $
32367 @end smallexample
32368
32369 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
32370 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
32371 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
32372 output from @value{GDBN}.
32373
32374 @node Server Prefix
32375 @section The Server Prefix
32376 @cindex server prefix
32377
32378 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
32379 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
32380 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
32381 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
32382 a transparent manner.
32383
32384 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
32385 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
32386 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
32387 @code{print} command.
32388
32389 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
32390 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
32391
32392 @node Prompting
32393 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
32394
32395 @cindex annotations for prompts
32396 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
32397 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
32398 over, etc.
32399
32400 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
32401 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
32402 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
32403 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
32404 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
32405 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
32406 features the following annotations:
32407
32408 @smallexample
32409 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
32410 ^Z^Zprompt
32411 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
32412 @end smallexample
32413
32414 The input types are
32415
32416 @table @code
32417 @findex pre-prompt annotation
32418 @findex prompt annotation
32419 @findex post-prompt annotation
32420 @item prompt
32421 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
32422
32423 @findex pre-commands annotation
32424 @findex commands annotation
32425 @findex post-commands annotation
32426 @item commands
32427 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
32428 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
32429
32430 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
32431 @findex overload-choice annotation
32432 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
32433 @item overload-choice
32434 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
32435
32436 @findex pre-query annotation
32437 @findex query annotation
32438 @findex post-query annotation
32439 @item query
32440 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
32441
32442 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
32443 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
32444 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
32445 @item prompt-for-continue
32446 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
32447 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
32448 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
32449 presence of annotations.
32450 @end table
32451
32452 @node Errors
32453 @section Errors
32454 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
32455
32456 @findex quit annotation
32457 @smallexample
32458 ^Z^Zquit
32459 @end smallexample
32460
32461 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
32462
32463 @findex error annotation
32464 @smallexample
32465 ^Z^Zerror
32466 @end smallexample
32467
32468 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
32469
32470 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
32471 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
32472 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
32473 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
32474 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
32475 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
32476 to the top level.
32477
32478 @findex error-begin annotation
32479 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
32480
32481 @smallexample
32482 ^Z^Zerror-begin
32483 @end smallexample
32484
32485 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
32486 message.
32487
32488 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
32489 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
32490 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
32491
32492 @node Invalidation
32493 @section Invalidation Notices
32494
32495 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
32496 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
32497 changed.
32498
32499 @table @code
32500 @findex frames-invalid annotation
32501 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
32502
32503 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
32504 have changed.
32505
32506 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
32507 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
32508
32509 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
32510 deleted a breakpoint.
32511 @end table
32512
32513 @node Annotations for Running
32514 @section Running the Program
32515 @cindex annotations for running programs
32516
32517 @findex starting annotation
32518 @findex stopping annotation
32519 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
32520 @code{step} or @code{continue},
32521
32522 @smallexample
32523 ^Z^Zstarting
32524 @end smallexample
32525
32526 is output. When the program stops,
32527
32528 @smallexample
32529 ^Z^Zstopped
32530 @end smallexample
32531
32532 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
32533 annotations describe how the program stopped.
32534
32535 @table @code
32536 @findex exited annotation
32537 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
32538 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
32539 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
32540
32541 @findex signalled annotation
32542 @findex signal-name annotation
32543 @findex signal-name-end annotation
32544 @findex signal-string annotation
32545 @findex signal-string-end annotation
32546 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
32547 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
32548 annotation continues:
32549
32550 @smallexample
32551 @var{intro-text}
32552 ^Z^Zsignal-name
32553 @var{name}
32554 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
32555 @var{middle-text}
32556 ^Z^Zsignal-string
32557 @var{string}
32558 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
32559 @var{end-text}
32560 @end smallexample
32561
32562 @noindent
32563 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
32564 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
32565 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
32566 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
32567 user's benefit and have no particular format.
32568
32569 @findex signal annotation
32570 @item ^Z^Zsignal
32571 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
32572 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
32573 terminated with it.
32574
32575 @findex breakpoint annotation
32576 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
32577 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
32578
32579 @findex watchpoint annotation
32580 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
32581 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
32582 @end table
32583
32584 @node Source Annotations
32585 @section Displaying Source
32586 @cindex annotations for source display
32587
32588 @findex source annotation
32589 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
32590
32591 @smallexample
32592 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
32593 @end smallexample
32594
32595 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
32596 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
32597 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
32598 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
32599 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
32600 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
32601 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
32602 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
32603 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
32604 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
32605 depend on the language).
32606
32607 @node JIT Interface
32608 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
32609 @cindex just-in-time compilation
32610 @cindex JIT compilation interface
32611
32612 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
32613 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
32614 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
32615 performance while maintaining platform independence.
32616
32617 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
32618 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
32619 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
32620 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
32621 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
32622 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
32623
32624 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
32625 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
32626 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
32627 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
32628 LLVM JIT.
32629
32630 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
32631 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
32632 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
32633 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
32634 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
32635 out about additional code.
32636
32637 @menu
32638 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
32639 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
32640 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
32641 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
32642 @end menu
32643
32644 @node Declarations
32645 @section JIT Declarations
32646
32647 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
32648 implement the interface:
32649
32650 @smallexample
32651 typedef enum
32652 @{
32653 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
32654 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
32655 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
32656 @} jit_actions_t;
32657
32658 struct jit_code_entry
32659 @{
32660 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
32661 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
32662 const char *symfile_addr;
32663 uint64_t symfile_size;
32664 @};
32665
32666 struct jit_descriptor
32667 @{
32668 uint32_t version;
32669 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
32670 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
32671 uint32_t action_flag;
32672 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
32673 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
32674 @};
32675
32676 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
32677 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
32678
32679 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
32680 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
32681 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
32682 @end smallexample
32683
32684 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
32685 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
32686 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
32687
32688 @node Registering Code
32689 @section Registering Code
32690
32691 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
32692
32693 @itemize @bullet
32694 @item
32695 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
32696 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
32697
32698 @item
32699 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
32700 file.
32701
32702 @item
32703 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
32704
32705 @item
32706 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
32707
32708 @item
32709 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
32710 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32711 @end itemize
32712
32713 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
32714 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
32715 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
32716 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
32717
32718 @node Unregistering Code
32719 @section Unregistering Code
32720
32721 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
32722
32723 @itemize @bullet
32724 @item
32725 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
32726
32727 @item
32728 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
32729
32730 @item
32731 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
32732 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32733 @end itemize
32734
32735 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
32736 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
32737
32738 @node Custom Debug Info
32739 @section Custom Debug Info
32740 @cindex custom JIT debug info
32741 @cindex JIT debug info reader
32742
32743 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
32744 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
32745 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
32746 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
32747 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
32748 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
32749 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
32750 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
32751 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
32752
32753 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
32754 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
32755 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
32756 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
32757 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
32758 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
32759 compiler.
32760
32761 @menu
32762 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
32763 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
32764 @end menu
32765
32766 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32767 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32768 @kindex jit-reader-load
32769 @kindex jit-reader-unload
32770
32771 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
32772 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
32773
32774 @table @code
32775 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
32776 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
32777 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
32778 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
32779 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
32780 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
32781 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
32782
32783 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
32784 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
32785 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
32786 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
32787 @code{jit-reader-load}.
32788
32789 @item jit-reader-unload
32790 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
32791
32792 @end table
32793
32794 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32795 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32796 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
32797
32798 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
32799 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
32800
32801 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
32802 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
32803 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
32804 the system include directory.
32805
32806 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
32807 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
32808 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
32809
32810 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
32811 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
32812
32813 @findex gdb_init_reader
32814 @smallexample
32815 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
32816 @end smallexample
32817
32818 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
32819
32820 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
32821 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
32822 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
32823 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
32824 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
32825 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
32826
32827 @smallexample
32828 struct gdb_reader_funcs
32829 @{
32830 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
32831 int reader_version;
32832
32833 /* For use by the reader. */
32834 void *priv_data;
32835
32836 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
32837 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
32838 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
32839 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
32840 @};
32841 @end smallexample
32842
32843 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
32844 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
32845
32846 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
32847 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
32848 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
32849 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
32850 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
32851 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
32852 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
32853 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
32854 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
32855 target's address space.
32856
32857 @node In-Process Agent
32858 @chapter In-Process Agent
32859 @cindex debugging agent
32860 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
32861 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
32862 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
32863 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
32864 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
32865 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
32866 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
32867 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
32868 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
32869 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
32870 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
32871 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
32872 behavior without interrupting it.
32873
32874 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
32875 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
32876 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
32877 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
32878 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
32879 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
32880 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
32881 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
32882 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
32883
32884 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
32885 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
32886 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
32887 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
32888
32889 @anchor{Control Agent}
32890 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
32891 debugging with the following commands:
32892
32893 @table @code
32894 @kindex set agent on
32895 @item set agent on
32896 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
32897 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
32898 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
32899 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
32900 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
32901 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
32902
32903 @kindex set agent off
32904 @item set agent off
32905 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
32906 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
32907
32908 @kindex show agent
32909 @item show agent
32910 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
32911 the in-process agent.
32912 @end table
32913
32914 @menu
32915 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
32916 @end menu
32917
32918 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
32919 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
32920 @cindex in-process agent protocol
32921
32922 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
32923 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
32924 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
32925 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
32926 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
32927 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
32928 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
32929 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
32930 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
32931
32932 @menu
32933 * IPA Protocol Objects::
32934 * IPA Protocol Commands::
32935 @end menu
32936
32937 @node IPA Protocol Objects
32938 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
32939 @cindex ipa protocol objects
32940
32941 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
32942 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
32943
32944 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
32945 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
32946 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
32947 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
32948
32949 @enumerate
32950 @item
32951 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
32952 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
32953 @item
32954 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
32955 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
32956 the other one.
32957 @end enumerate
32958
32959 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
32960
32961 @enumerate
32962 @item
32963 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
32964 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
32965 @anchor{agent expression object}
32966 @item
32967 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
32968 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
32969 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
32970 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
32971 @item
32972 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
32973 @anchor{tracepoint object}
32974
32975 @end enumerate
32976
32977 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
32978 object:
32979
32980 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
32981 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
32982 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
32983 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
32984 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
32985 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
32986 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32987 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
32988 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
32989 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
32990 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
32991 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
32992 memory address for collecting.
32993 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
32994 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32995 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
32996 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32997 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
32998 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32999 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
33000 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
33001 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
33002 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
33003 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
33004 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
33005 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
33006 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
33007 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
33008 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
33009 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
33010 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
33011 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
33012 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
33013 @ref{agent expression object}
33014 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
33015 @ref{agent expression object}
33016 @item actions @tab variable
33017 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
33018 @end multitable
33019
33020 @node IPA Protocol Commands
33021 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
33022 @cindex ipa protocol commands
33023
33024 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
33025 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
33026
33027 @table @samp
33028
33029 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
33030 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
33031 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
33032 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
33033 in IPA finally.
33034
33035 Replies:
33036 @table @samp
33037 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
33038 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
33039 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
33040 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
33041 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
33042 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
33043 @item E @var{NN}
33044 for an error
33045
33046 @end table
33047
33048 @item close
33049 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
33050 is about to kill inferiors.
33051
33052 @item qTfSTM
33053 @xref{qTfSTM}.
33054 @item qTsSTM
33055 @xref{qTsSTM}.
33056 @item qTSTMat
33057 @xref{qTSTMat}.
33058 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
33059 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
33060
33061 Replies:
33062 @table @samp
33063 @item E @var{NN}
33064 for an error
33065 @end table
33066 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
33067 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
33068 @end table
33069
33070 @node GDB Bugs
33071 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
33072 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
33073 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
33074
33075 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
33076
33077 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
33078 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
33079 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
33080 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
33081
33082 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
33083 information that enables us to fix the bug.
33084
33085 @menu
33086 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
33087 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
33088 @end menu
33089
33090 @node Bug Criteria
33091 @section Have You Found a Bug?
33092 @cindex bug criteria
33093
33094 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
33095
33096 @itemize @bullet
33097 @cindex fatal signal
33098 @cindex debugger crash
33099 @cindex crash of debugger
33100 @item
33101 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
33102 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
33103
33104 @cindex error on valid input
33105 @item
33106 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
33107 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
33108 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
33109
33110 @cindex invalid input
33111 @item
33112 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
33113 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
33114 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
33115 for traditional practice''.
33116
33117 @item
33118 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
33119 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
33120 @end itemize
33121
33122 @node Bug Reporting
33123 @section How to Report Bugs
33124 @cindex bug reports
33125 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
33126
33127 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
33128 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
33129 contact that organization first.
33130
33131 You can find contact information for many support companies and
33132 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
33133 distribution.
33134 @c should add a web page ref...
33135
33136 @ifset BUGURL
33137 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
33138 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33139 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
33140 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
33141 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
33142 be used.
33143
33144 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
33145 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
33146 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
33147 @samp{bug-gdb}.
33148
33149 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
33150 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
33151 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
33152 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
33153 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
33154 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
33155 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
33156 bug reports to the mailing list.
33157 @end ifset
33158 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
33159 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33160 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
33161 @end ifclear
33162 @end ifset
33163
33164 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
33165 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
33166 fact or leave it out, state it!
33167
33168 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
33169 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
33170 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
33171 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
33172 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
33173 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
33174 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
33175 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
33176 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
33177
33178 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
33179 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
33180 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
33181 self-contained.
33182
33183 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
33184 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
33185 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
33186 bugs properly.
33187
33188 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
33189
33190 @itemize @bullet
33191 @item
33192 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
33193 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
33194 version}.
33195
33196 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
33197 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
33198
33199 @item
33200 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
33201 version number.
33202
33203 @item
33204 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
33205 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
33206 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
33207 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
33208
33209 @item
33210 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
33211 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
33212
33213 @item
33214 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
33215 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
33216 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
33217 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
33218 those compilers.
33219
33220 @item
33221 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
33222 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
33223 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
33224 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
33225
33226 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
33227 and then we might not encounter the bug.
33228
33229 @item
33230 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
33231 reproduce the bug.
33232
33233 @item
33234 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
33235 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
33236
33237 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
33238 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
33239 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
33240 a chance to make a mistake.
33241
33242 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
33243 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
33244 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
33245 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
33246 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
33247 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
33248 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
33249 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
33250
33251 @pindex script
33252 @cindex recording a session script
33253 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
33254 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
33255 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
33256 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
33257
33258 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
33259 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
33260
33261 @item
33262 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
33263 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
33264 it by context, not by line number.
33265
33266 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
33267 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
33268
33269 @end itemize
33270
33271 Here are some things that are not necessary:
33272
33273 @itemize @bullet
33274 @item
33275 A description of the envelope of the bug.
33276
33277 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
33278 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
33279 changes will not affect it.
33280
33281 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
33282 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
33283 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
33284 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
33285
33286 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
33287 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
33288 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
33289 less time, and so on.
33290
33291 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
33292 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
33293
33294 @item
33295 A patch for the bug.
33296
33297 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
33298 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
33299 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
33300 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
33301
33302 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
33303 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
33304 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
33305 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
33306
33307 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
33308 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
33309 help us to understand.
33310
33311 @item
33312 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
33313
33314 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
33315 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
33316 @end itemize
33317
33318 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
33319 @c and consists of the two following files:
33320 @c rluser.texi
33321 @c hsuser.texi
33322 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
33323 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
33324 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
33325 @include rluser.texi
33326 @include hsuser.texi
33327 @end ifclear
33328
33329 @node In Memoriam
33330 @appendix In Memoriam
33331
33332 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
33333 contributors:
33334
33335 @table @code
33336 @item Fred Fish
33337 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
33338 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
33339 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
33340
33341 @item Michael Snyder
33342 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
33343 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
33344 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
33345 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
33346 @end table
33347
33348 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
33349 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
33350
33351 @node Formatting Documentation
33352 @appendix Formatting Documentation
33353
33354 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
33355 @cindex reference card
33356 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
33357 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
33358 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
33359 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
33360 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
33361 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
33362
33363 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
33364 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
33365
33366 @smallexample
33367 make refcard.dvi
33368 @end smallexample
33369
33370 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
33371 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
33372 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
33373 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
33374 your @sc{dvi} output program.
33375
33376 @cindex documentation
33377
33378 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
33379 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
33380 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
33381 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
33382 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
33383 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
33384
33385 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
33386 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
33387 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
33388 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
33389 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
33390 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
33391 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
33392 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
33393
33394 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
33395 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
33396 @code{makeinfo}.
33397
33398 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
33399 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
33400 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
33401
33402 @smallexample
33403 cd gdb
33404 make gdb.info
33405 @end smallexample
33406
33407 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
33408 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
33409 Texinfo definitions file.
33410
33411 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
33412 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
33413 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
33414 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
33415 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
33416 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
33417 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
33418
33419 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
33420 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
33421 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
33422 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
33423 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
33424 directory.
33425
33426 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
33427 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
33428 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
33429 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
33430
33431 @smallexample
33432 make gdb.dvi
33433 @end smallexample
33434
33435 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
33436
33437 @node Installing GDB
33438 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
33439 @cindex installation
33440
33441 @menu
33442 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
33443 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
33444 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
33445 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
33446 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
33447 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
33448 @end menu
33449
33450 @node Requirements
33451 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
33452 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
33453
33454 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
33455 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
33456
33457 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
33458 @table @asis
33459 @item ISO C90 compiler
33460 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
33461 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
33462
33463 @end table
33464
33465 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
33466 @table @asis
33467 @item Expat
33468 @anchor{Expat}
33469 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
33470 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
33471 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
33472 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
33473 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
33474 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
33475
33476 Expat is used for:
33477
33478 @itemize @bullet
33479 @item
33480 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
33481 @item
33482 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
33483 @item
33484 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
33485 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
33486 @item
33487 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
33488 @item
33489 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
33490 @item
33491 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format},
33492 @pxref{Branch Trace Configuration Format})
33493 @end itemize
33494
33495 @item zlib
33496 @cindex compressed debug sections
33497 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
33498 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
33499 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
33500 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
33501 information in such binaries.
33502
33503 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
33504 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
33505 @url{http://zlib.net}.
33506
33507 @item iconv
33508 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
33509 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
33510 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
33511 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
33512
33513 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
33514 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
33515 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
33516 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
33517
33518 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
33519 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
33520 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
33521
33522 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
33523 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
33524 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
33525 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
33526 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
33527 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
33528 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
33529 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
33530 @end table
33531
33532 @node Running Configure
33533 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
33534 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
33535 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
33536 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
33537 build the @code{gdb} program.
33538 @iftex
33539 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
33540 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
33541 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
33542 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
33543 @end iftex
33544
33545 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
33546 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
33547 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
33548
33549 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
33550 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
33551
33552 @table @code
33553 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
33554 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
33555
33556 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
33557 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
33558
33559 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
33560 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
33561
33562 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
33563 @sc{gnu} include files
33564
33565 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
33566 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
33567
33568 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
33569 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
33570
33571 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
33572 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
33573
33574 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
33575 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
33576
33577 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
33578 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
33579 @end table
33580
33581 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
33582 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
33583 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
33584
33585 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
33586 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
33587 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
33588 argument.
33589
33590 For example:
33591
33592 @smallexample
33593 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33594 ./configure @var{host}
33595 make
33596 @end smallexample
33597
33598 @noindent
33599 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
33600 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
33601 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
33602 correct value by examining your system.)
33603
33604 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
33605 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
33606 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
33607 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
33608
33609 @need 750
33610 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
33611 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
33612 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
33613
33614 @smallexample
33615 sh configure @var{host}
33616 @end smallexample
33617
33618 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
33619 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
33620 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
33621 @file{configure}
33622 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
33623 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
33624
33625 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
33626 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
33627 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
33628 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
33629 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
33630 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
33631 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
33632 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
33633 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33634
33635 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
33636 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
33637 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
33638 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
33639 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
33640
33641 @node Separate Objdir
33642 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
33643
33644 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
33645 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
33646 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
33647 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
33648 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
33649 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
33650 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
33651 program specified there.
33652
33653 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
33654 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
33655 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
33656 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
33657 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
33658 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
33659
33660 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
33661 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
33662
33663 @smallexample
33664 @group
33665 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33666 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
33667 cd ../gdb-sun4
33668 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
33669 make
33670 @end group
33671 @end smallexample
33672
33673 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
33674 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
33675 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
33676 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
33677 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
33678 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
33679
33680 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
33681 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
33682 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
33683 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
33684 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33685
33686 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
33687 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
33688 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
33689 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
33690 You specify a cross-debugging target by
33691 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
33692
33693 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
33694 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
33695 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
33696
33697 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
33698 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
33699 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
33700 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
33701 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
33702
33703 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
33704 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
33705 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
33706 with each other.
33707
33708 @node Config Names
33709 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
33710
33711 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
33712 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
33713 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
33714 of information in the following pattern:
33715
33716 @smallexample
33717 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
33718 @end smallexample
33719
33720 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
33721 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
33722 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
33723
33724 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
33725 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
33726 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
33727 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
33728 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
33729 abbreviations---for example:
33730
33731 @smallexample
33732 % sh config.sub i386-linux
33733 i386-pc-linux-gnu
33734 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
33735 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
33736 % sh config.sub hp9k700
33737 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
33738 % sh config.sub sun4
33739 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
33740 % sh config.sub sun3
33741 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
33742 % sh config.sub i986v
33743 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
33744 @end smallexample
33745
33746 @noindent
33747 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
33748 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
33749
33750 @node Configure Options
33751 @section @file{configure} Options
33752
33753 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
33754 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
33755 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
33756 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
33757
33758 @smallexample
33759 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
33760 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33761 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33762 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
33763 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
33764 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
33765 @var{host}
33766 @end smallexample
33767
33768 @noindent
33769 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
33770 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
33771 @samp{--}.
33772
33773 @table @code
33774 @item --help
33775 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
33776
33777 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
33778 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
33779 @file{@var{dir}}.
33780
33781 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
33782 Configure the source to install programs under directory
33783 @file{@var{dir}}.
33784
33785 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
33786 @need 2000
33787 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
33788 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
33789 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
33790 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
33791 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
33792 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
33793 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
33794 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
33795 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
33796 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
33797 @var{dirname}.
33798
33799 @item --norecursion
33800 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
33801 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
33802
33803 @item --target=@var{target}
33804 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
33805 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
33806 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
33807
33808 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
33809
33810 @item @var{host} @dots{}
33811 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
33812
33813 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
33814 @end table
33815
33816 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
33817 needed for special purposes only.
33818
33819 @node System-wide configuration
33820 @section System-wide configuration and settings
33821 @cindex system-wide init file
33822
33823 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
33824 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
33825 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
33826
33827 Here is the corresponding configure option:
33828
33829 @table @code
33830 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
33831 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
33832 @var{file}.
33833 @end table
33834
33835 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
33836 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
33837
33838 @itemize @bullet
33839 @item
33840 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
33841 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
33842 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
33843 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
33844 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
33845 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
33846
33847 @item
33848 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
33849 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
33850 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33851 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33852 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
33853 @end itemize
33854
33855 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
33856 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
33857 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
33858 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
33859 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
33860 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
33861 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
33862 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
33863 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
33864 reread.
33865
33866 @menu
33867 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33868 @end menu
33869
33870 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
33871 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33872 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
33873
33874 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
33875 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
33876 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
33877 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
33878 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
33879 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
33880
33881 The following scripts are currently available:
33882 @itemize @bullet
33883
33884 @item @file{elinos.py}
33885 @pindex elinos.py
33886 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
33887 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
33888 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
33889 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
33890 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
33891 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
33892
33893 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
33894 @pindex wrs-linux.py
33895 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
33896 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
33897 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
33898 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
33899
33900 @end itemize
33901
33902 @node Maintenance Commands
33903 @appendix Maintenance Commands
33904 @cindex maintenance commands
33905 @cindex internal commands
33906
33907 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
33908 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
33909 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
33910 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
33911 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
33912
33913 @table @code
33914 @kindex maint agent
33915 @kindex maint agent-eval
33916 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33917 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33918 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
33919 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
33920 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
33921 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
33922 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
33923 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
33924 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
33925 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
33926 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
33927 addition and return the sum.
33928 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
33929 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
33930
33931 @kindex maint agent-printf
33932 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
33933 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
33934 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
33935 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
33936 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
33937
33938 @kindex maint info breakpoints
33939 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
33940 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
33941 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
33942 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
33943 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
33944 is shown:
33945
33946 @table @code
33947 @item breakpoint
33948 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
33949
33950 @item watchpoint
33951 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
33952
33953 @item longjmp
33954 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
33955 @code{longjmp} calls.
33956
33957 @item longjmp resume
33958 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
33959
33960 @item until
33961 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
33962
33963 @item finish
33964 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
33965
33966 @item shlib events
33967 Shared library events.
33968
33969 @end table
33970
33971 @kindex maint info btrace
33972 @item maint info btrace
33973 Pint information about raw branch tracing data.
33974
33975 @kindex maint btrace packet-history
33976 @item maint btrace packet-history
33977 Print the raw branch trace packets that are used to compute the
33978 execution history for the @samp{record btrace} command. Both the
33979 information and the format in which it is printed depend on the btrace
33980 recording format.
33981
33982 @table @code
33983 @item bts
33984 For the BTS recording format, print a list of blocks of sequential
33985 code. For each block, the following information is printed:
33986
33987 @table @asis
33988 @item Block number
33989 Newer blocks have higher numbers. The oldest block has number zero.
33990 @item Lowest @samp{PC}
33991 @item Highest @samp{PC}
33992 @end table
33993
33994 @item pt
33995 For the Intel Processor Trace recording format, print a list of
33996 Intel Processor Trace packets. For each packet, the following
33997 information is printed:
33998
33999 @table @asis
34000 @item Packet number
34001 Newer packets have higher numbers. The oldest packet has number zero.
34002 @item Trace offset
34003 The packet's offset in the trace stream.
34004 @item Packet opcode and payload
34005 @end table
34006 @end table
34007
34008 @kindex maint btrace clear-packet-history
34009 @item maint btrace clear-packet-history
34010 Discards the cached packet history printed by the @samp{maint btrace
34011 packet-history} command. The history will be computed again when
34012 needed.
34013
34014 @kindex maint btrace clear
34015 @item maint btrace clear
34016 Discard the branch trace data. The data will be fetched anew and the
34017 branch trace will be recomputed when needed.
34018
34019 This implicitly truncates the branch trace to a single branch trace
34020 buffer. When updating branch trace incrementally, the branch trace
34021 available to @value{GDBN} may be bigger than a single branch trace
34022 buffer.
34023
34024 @kindex maint set btrace pt skip-pad
34025 @item maint set btrace pt skip-pad
34026 @kindex maint show btrace pt skip-pad
34027 @item maint show btrace pt skip-pad
34028 Control whether @value{GDBN} will skip PAD packets when computing the
34029 packet history.
34030
34031 @kindex set displaced-stepping
34032 @kindex show displaced-stepping
34033 @cindex displaced stepping support
34034 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
34035 @item set displaced-stepping
34036 @itemx show displaced-stepping
34037 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
34038 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
34039 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
34040 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
34041 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
34042
34043 @table @code
34044 @item set displaced-stepping on
34045 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
34046 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
34047
34048 @item set displaced-stepping off
34049 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
34050 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
34051
34052 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
34053 @item set displaced-stepping auto
34054 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
34055 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
34056 architecture supports displaced stepping.
34057 @end table
34058
34059 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
34060 @item maint check-psymtabs
34061 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
34062 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
34063
34064 @kindex maint check-symtabs
34065 @item maint check-symtabs
34066 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
34067
34068 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
34069 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
34070 Expand symbol tables.
34071 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
34072 names matching @var{regexp}.
34073
34074 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
34075 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
34076 @cindex demangler crashes
34077 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
34078 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
34079 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
34080 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
34081 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
34082 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
34083 option to terminate the current session.
34084
34085 @kindex maint cplus first_component
34086 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
34087 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
34088
34089 @kindex maint cplus namespace
34090 @item maint cplus namespace
34091 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
34092
34093 @kindex maint deprecate
34094 @kindex maint undeprecate
34095 @cindex deprecated commands
34096 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
34097 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
34098 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
34099 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
34100 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
34101 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
34102 the replacement as part of the warning.
34103
34104 @kindex maint dump-me
34105 @item maint dump-me
34106 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
34107 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
34108 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
34109 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
34110
34111 @kindex maint internal-error
34112 @kindex maint internal-warning
34113 @kindex maint demangler-warning
34114 @cindex demangler crashes
34115 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34116 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34117 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34118
34119 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
34120 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
34121 as though an internal problem has been detected. In addition to
34122 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
34123 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
34124 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
34125 @value{GDBN} session.
34126
34127 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
34128 used as the text of the error or warning message.
34129
34130 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
34131
34132 @smallexample
34133 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
34134 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
34135 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
34136 debugging may prove unreliable.
34137 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34138 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34139 (@value{GDBP})
34140 @end smallexample
34141
34142 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
34143 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
34144 @cindex demangler crashes
34145
34146 @kindex maint set internal-error
34147 @kindex maint show internal-error
34148 @kindex maint set internal-warning
34149 @kindex maint show internal-warning
34150 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
34151 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
34152 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34153 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
34154 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34155 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
34156 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34157 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
34158 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
34159 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
34160 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
34161 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
34162 described in the table below.
34163
34164 @table @samp
34165 @item quit
34166 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34167 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34168
34169 @item corefile
34170 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34171 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
34172 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
34173 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
34174 disabled.
34175 @end table
34176
34177 @kindex maint packet
34178 @item maint packet @var{text}
34179 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
34180 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
34181 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
34182 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
34183 checksum.
34184
34185 @kindex maint print architecture
34186 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34187 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
34188 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
34189
34190 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
34191 @item maint print c-tdesc
34192 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
34193 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
34194 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
34195
34196 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
34197 @item maint print dummy-frames
34198 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
34199
34200 @smallexample
34201 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
34202 @dots{}
34203 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
34204 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
34205 58 return (a + b);
34206 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
34207 @dots{}
34208 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
34209 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
34210 (@value{GDBP})
34211 @end smallexample
34212
34213 Takes an optional file parameter.
34214
34215 @kindex maint print registers
34216 @kindex maint print raw-registers
34217 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
34218 @kindex maint print register-groups
34219 @kindex maint print remote-registers
34220 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34221 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34222 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34223 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34224 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34225 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
34226
34227 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
34228 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
34229 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
34230 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
34231 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
34232 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
34233 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
34234 and offsets in the `G' packets.
34235
34236 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
34237 write the information.
34238
34239 @kindex maint print reggroups
34240 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34241 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
34242 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
34243 information.
34244
34245 The register groups info looks like this:
34246
34247 @smallexample
34248 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
34249 Group Type
34250 general user
34251 float user
34252 all user
34253 vector user
34254 system user
34255 save internal
34256 restore internal
34257 @end smallexample
34258
34259 @kindex flushregs
34260 @item flushregs
34261 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
34262
34263 @kindex maint print objfiles
34264 @cindex info for known object files
34265 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
34266 Print a dump of all known object files.
34267 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
34268 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
34269 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
34270
34271 @kindex maint print user-registers
34272 @cindex user registers
34273 @item maint print user-registers
34274 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
34275 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
34276 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
34277 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
34278 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
34279 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
34280 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
34281
34282 @kindex maint print section-scripts
34283 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
34284 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
34285 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
34286 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
34287 matching @var{regexp}.
34288 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
34289 and the full path if known.
34290 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
34291
34292 @kindex maint print statistics
34293 @cindex bcache statistics
34294 @item maint print statistics
34295 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
34296 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
34297 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
34298 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
34299 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
34300 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
34301 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
34302 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
34303 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
34304 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
34305 lengths.
34306
34307 @kindex maint print target-stack
34308 @cindex target stack description
34309 @item maint print target-stack
34310 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
34311 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
34312 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
34313 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
34314 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
34315 address.
34316
34317 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
34318 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
34319
34320 @kindex maint print type
34321 @cindex type chain of a data type
34322 @item maint print type @var{expr}
34323 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
34324 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
34325 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
34326 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
34327 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
34328
34329 @kindex maint set dwarf always-disassemble
34330 @kindex maint show dwarf always-disassemble
34331 @item maint set dwarf always-disassemble
34332 @item maint show dwarf always-disassemble
34333 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
34334 information.
34335
34336 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
34337 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
34338 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
34339 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
34340 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
34341 always see the disassembly form.
34342
34343 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
34344
34345 @smallexample
34346 (gdb) info addr argc
34347 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
34348 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
34349 @end smallexample
34350
34351 For more information on these expressions, see
34352 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
34353
34354 @kindex maint set dwarf max-cache-age
34355 @kindex maint show dwarf max-cache-age
34356 @item maint set dwarf max-cache-age
34357 @itemx maint show dwarf max-cache-age
34358 Control the DWARF compilation unit cache.
34359
34360 @cindex DWARF compilation units cache
34361 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
34362 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF
34363 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
34364 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
34365 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
34366 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
34367 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
34368 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
34369
34370 @kindex maint set profile
34371 @kindex maint show profile
34372 @cindex profiling GDB
34373 @item maint set profile
34374 @itemx maint show profile
34375 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
34376
34377 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
34378 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
34379 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
34380 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
34381 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
34382 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
34383 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
34384
34385 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
34386 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
34387
34388 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
34389 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
34390 @cindex hardware debug registers
34391 @item maint set show-debug-regs
34392 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
34393 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
34394 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
34395 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
34396 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
34397 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
34398
34399 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
34400 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
34401 @item maint set show-all-tib
34402 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
34403 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
34404 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
34405 command.
34406
34407 @kindex maint set target-async
34408 @kindex maint show target-async
34409 @item maint set target-async
34410 @itemx maint show target-async
34411 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
34412 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
34413 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
34414 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
34415
34416 @kindex maint set target-non-stop @var{mode} [on|off|auto]
34417 @kindex maint show target-non-stop
34418 @item maint set target-non-stop
34419 @itemx maint show target-non-stop
34420
34421 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets always operate in non-stop
34422 mode even if @code{set non-stop} is @code{off} (@pxref{Non-Stop
34423 Mode}). The default is @code{auto}, meaning non-stop mode is enabled
34424 if supported by the target.
34425
34426 @table @code
34427 @item maint set target-non-stop auto
34428 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} controls the target in
34429 non-stop mode if the target supports it.
34430
34431 @item maint set target-non-stop on
34432 @value{GDBN} controls the target in non-stop mode even if the target
34433 does not indicate support.
34434
34435 @item maint set target-non-stop off
34436 @value{GDBN} does not control the target in non-stop mode even if the
34437 target supports it.
34438 @end table
34439
34440 @kindex maint set per-command
34441 @kindex maint show per-command
34442 @item maint set per-command
34443 @itemx maint show per-command
34444 @cindex resources used by commands
34445
34446 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
34447 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
34448
34449 @table @code
34450 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
34451 @itemx maint show per-command space
34452 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
34453 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
34454 took, following the command's own output.
34455 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34456 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34457
34458 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
34459 @itemx maint show per-command time
34460 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
34461 for each command.
34462 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
34463 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
34464 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
34465 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
34466 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
34467 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
34468 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
34469 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
34470 spent by the program been debugged.
34471 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34472 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34473
34474 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
34475 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
34476 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
34477 for each command.
34478 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
34479
34480 @enumerate a
34481 @item
34482 number of symbol tables
34483 @item
34484 number of primary symbol tables
34485 @item
34486 number of blocks in the blockvector
34487 @end enumerate
34488 @end table
34489
34490 @kindex maint space
34491 @cindex memory used by commands
34492 @item maint space @var{value}
34493 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
34494 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
34495
34496 @kindex maint time
34497 @cindex time of command execution
34498 @item maint time @var{value}
34499 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
34500 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
34501
34502 @kindex maint translate-address
34503 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34504 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34505 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34506 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34507 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34508 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34509 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34510
34511 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34512 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34513 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34514
34515 @end table
34516
34517 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34518 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34519
34520 @table @code
34521 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34522 @kindex set watchdog
34523 @cindex watchdog timer
34524 @cindex timeout for commands
34525 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34526 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34527 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34528
34529 @item show watchdog
34530 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34531 @end table
34532
34533 @node Remote Protocol
34534 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34535
34536 @menu
34537 * Overview::
34538 * Packets::
34539 * Stop Reply Packets::
34540 * General Query Packets::
34541 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34542 * Tracepoint Packets::
34543 * Host I/O Packets::
34544 * Interrupts::
34545 * Notification Packets::
34546 * Remote Non-Stop::
34547 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34548 * Examples::
34549 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34550 * Library List Format::
34551 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34552 * Memory Map Format::
34553 * Thread List Format::
34554 * Traceframe Info Format::
34555 * Branch Trace Format::
34556 * Branch Trace Configuration Format::
34557 @end menu
34558
34559 @node Overview
34560 @section Overview
34561
34562 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34563 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34564 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34565 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34566
34567 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34568 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34569
34570 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34571 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34572 @cindex remote serial protocol
34573 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
34574 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
34575 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
34576 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
34577 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
34578
34579 @smallexample
34580 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34581 @end smallexample
34582 @noindent
34583
34584 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
34585 @noindent
34586 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
34587 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
34588 eight bit unsigned checksum).
34589
34590 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
34591 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
34592
34593 @smallexample
34594 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34595 @end smallexample
34596
34597 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
34598 @noindent
34599 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
34600 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
34601 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
34602
34603 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
34604 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34605 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
34606 retransmission):
34607
34608 @smallexample
34609 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34610 <- @code{+}
34611 @end smallexample
34612 @noindent
34613
34614 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
34615 once a connection is established.
34616 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
34617
34618 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
34619 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
34620 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
34621 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
34622 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
34623 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
34624 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
34625
34626 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
34627 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
34628 exceptions).
34629
34630 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
34631 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
34632 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
34633 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
34634
34635 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
34636 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
34637 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
34638
34639 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
34640 @anchor{Binary Data}
34641 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
34642 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
34643 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
34644 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
34645 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
34646 binary data.
34647
34648 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
34649 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
34650 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
34651 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
34652 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
34653 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
34654 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
34655 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
34656 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
34657 (described next).
34658
34659 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
34660 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
34661 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
34662 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
34663 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
34664 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
34665 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
34666 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
34667 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
34668 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
34669 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
34670 3}} more times.
34671
34672 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
34673 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
34674 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
34675 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
34676 @samp{0*"00}.
34677
34678 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
34679 error number. That number is not well defined.
34680
34681 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
34682 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
34683 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
34684 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
34685 on that response.
34686
34687 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
34688 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
34689 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
34690 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
34691 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
34692 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
34693
34694 @node Packets
34695 @section Packets
34696
34697 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
34698 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
34699 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
34700 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
34701
34702 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
34703 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
34704 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
34705 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
34706 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
34707 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
34708 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
34709 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
34710 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
34711 @var{baz}.
34712
34713 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
34714 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
34715 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
34716 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
34717 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
34718 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
34719 pick any thread.
34720
34721 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
34722 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
34723 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
34724 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
34725 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
34726 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
34727 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
34728 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
34729 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
34730 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
34731 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
34732 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
34733 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
34734
34735 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
34736 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
34737 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
34738 more information.
34739
34740 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
34741 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
34742
34743 Here are the packet descriptions.
34744
34745 @table @samp
34746
34747 @item !
34748 @cindex @samp{!} packet
34749 @anchor{extended mode}
34750 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
34751 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
34752 debugged.
34753
34754 Reply:
34755 @table @samp
34756 @item OK
34757 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
34758 @end table
34759
34760 @item ?
34761 @cindex @samp{?} packet
34762 @anchor{? packet}
34763 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
34764 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
34765 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
34766
34767 Reply:
34768 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34769
34770 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
34771 @cindex @samp{A} packet
34772 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
34773 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
34774 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
34775
34776 Reply:
34777 @table @samp
34778 @item OK
34779 The arguments were set.
34780 @item E @var{NN}
34781 An error occurred.
34782 @end table
34783
34784 @item b @var{baud}
34785 @cindex @samp{b} packet
34786 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
34787 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
34788
34789 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
34790 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
34791 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
34792
34793 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
34794 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
34795 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
34796 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
34797 of view, nothing actually happened.}
34798
34799 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
34800 @cindex @samp{B} packet
34801 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
34802 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
34803
34804 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
34805 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
34806
34807 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
34808 @anchor{bc}
34809 @item bc
34810 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
34811 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34812
34813 Reply:
34814 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34815
34816 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
34817 @anchor{bs}
34818 @item bs
34819 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
34820 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34821
34822 Reply:
34823 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34824
34825 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34826 @cindex @samp{c} packet
34827 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
34828 is omitted, resume at current address.
34829
34830 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34831 packet}.
34832
34833 Reply:
34834 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34835
34836 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34837 @cindex @samp{C} packet
34838 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
34839 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
34840
34841 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34842 packet}.
34843
34844 Reply:
34845 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34846
34847 @item d
34848 @cindex @samp{d} packet
34849 Toggle debug flag.
34850
34851 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
34852 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
34853
34854 @item D
34855 @itemx D;@var{pid}
34856 @cindex @samp{D} packet
34857 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
34858 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
34859 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
34860
34861 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
34862 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
34863 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
34864 big-endian hex string.
34865
34866 Reply:
34867 @table @samp
34868 @item OK
34869 for success
34870 @item E @var{NN}
34871 for an error
34872 @end table
34873
34874 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
34875 @cindex @samp{F} packet
34876 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
34877 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
34878 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
34879
34880 @item g
34881 @anchor{read registers packet}
34882 @cindex @samp{g} packet
34883 Read general registers.
34884
34885 Reply:
34886 @table @samp
34887 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34888 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
34889 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
34890 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
34891 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
34892 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
34893 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
34894
34895 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
34896 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
34897 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
34898 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
34899 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
34900 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
34901 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
34902 have been collected, and both have zero value:
34903
34904 @smallexample
34905 -> @code{g}
34906 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
34907 @end smallexample
34908
34909 @item E @var{NN}
34910 for an error.
34911 @end table
34912
34913 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
34914 @cindex @samp{G} packet
34915 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
34916 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
34917
34918 Reply:
34919 @table @samp
34920 @item OK
34921 for success
34922 @item E @var{NN}
34923 for an error
34924 @end table
34925
34926 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
34927 @cindex @samp{H} packet
34928 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
34929 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
34930 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
34931 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
34932 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
34933 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
34934 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34935
34936 Reply:
34937 @table @samp
34938 @item OK
34939 for success
34940 @item E @var{NN}
34941 for an error
34942 @end table
34943
34944 @c FIXME: JTC:
34945 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
34946 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
34947 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
34948 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
34949 @c described. For example:
34950 @c
34951 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34952 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
34953 @c otherwise returns current registers.
34954 @c
34955 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34956 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
34957 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
34958
34959 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
34960 @anchor{cycle step packet}
34961 @cindex @samp{i} packet
34962 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
34963 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
34964 step starting at that address.
34965
34966 @item I
34967 @cindex @samp{I} packet
34968 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
34969 step packet}.
34970
34971 @item k
34972 @cindex @samp{k} packet
34973 Kill request.
34974
34975 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
34976
34977 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
34978 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
34979
34980 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
34981
34982 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
34983 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
34984 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
34985
34986 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
34987 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
34988 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
34989
34990 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
34991 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
34992 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
34993 (@pxref{? packet}).
34994
34995 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
34996 @cindex @samp{m} packet
34997 Read @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
34998 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to
34999 any particular boundary.
35000
35001 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
35002 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
35003 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
35004 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
35005 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
35006 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
35007 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
35008 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
35009
35010 Reply:
35011 @table @samp
35012 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35013 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
35014 The reply may contain fewer addressable memory units than requested if the
35015 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
35016 @item E @var{NN}
35017 @var{NN} is errno
35018 @end table
35019
35020 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35021 @cindex @samp{M} packet
35022 Write @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
35023 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each
35024 byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
35025
35026 Reply:
35027 @table @samp
35028 @item OK
35029 for success
35030 @item E @var{NN}
35031 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
35032 written).
35033 @end table
35034
35035 @item p @var{n}
35036 @cindex @samp{p} packet
35037 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
35038 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
35039 register value is encoded.
35040
35041 Reply:
35042 @table @samp
35043 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35044 the register's value
35045 @item E @var{NN}
35046 for an error
35047 @item @w{}
35048 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
35049 @end table
35050
35051 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
35052 @anchor{write register packet}
35053 @cindex @samp{P} packet
35054 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
35055 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
35056 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
35057
35058 Reply:
35059 @table @samp
35060 @item OK
35061 for success
35062 @item E @var{NN}
35063 for an error
35064 @end table
35065
35066 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35067 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35068 @cindex @samp{q} packet
35069 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
35070 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
35071 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
35072
35073 @item r
35074 @cindex @samp{r} packet
35075 Reset the entire system.
35076
35077 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
35078
35079 @item R @var{XX}
35080 @cindex @samp{R} packet
35081 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
35082 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35083
35084 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
35085
35086 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35087 @cindex @samp{s} packet
35088 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
35089 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
35090
35091 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35092 packet}.
35093
35094 Reply:
35095 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35096
35097 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35098 @anchor{step with signal packet}
35099 @cindex @samp{S} packet
35100 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
35101 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
35102
35103 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35104 packet}.
35105
35106 Reply:
35107 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35108
35109 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
35110 @cindex @samp{t} packet
35111 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
35112 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
35113 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
35114
35115 @item T @var{thread-id}
35116 @cindex @samp{T} packet
35117 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35118
35119 Reply:
35120 @table @samp
35121 @item OK
35122 thread is still alive
35123 @item E @var{NN}
35124 thread is dead
35125 @end table
35126
35127 @item v
35128 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
35129 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
35130
35131 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
35132 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
35133 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
35134 The process ID is a
35135 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
35136 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
35137 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
35138
35139 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
35140 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
35141 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
35142 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
35143 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
35144 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
35145 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
35146 @c stopping or restarting threads.
35147
35148 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35149
35150 Reply:
35151 @table @samp
35152 @item E @var{nn}
35153 for an error
35154 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35155 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35156 @item OK
35157 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
35158 @end table
35159
35160 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
35161 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
35162 @anchor{vCont packet}
35163 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
35164 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
35165 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
35166 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
35167 in their current state in non-stop mode.
35168 Specifying multiple
35169 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
35170 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35171
35172 Currently supported actions are:
35173
35174 @table @samp
35175 @item c
35176 Continue.
35177 @item C @var{sig}
35178 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35179 @item s
35180 Step.
35181 @item S @var{sig}
35182 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35183 @item t
35184 Stop.
35185 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
35186 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
35187 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
35188 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
35189 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
35190 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
35191
35192 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
35193 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
35194 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
35195 jumps to @var{start}).
35196
35197 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
35198 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
35199 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
35200
35201 @end table
35202
35203 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
35204 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
35205 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
35206
35207 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
35208 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
35209 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
35210 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
35211 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
35212 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
35213 as an implementation detail.
35214
35215 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
35216 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
35217 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
35218 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
35219 @var{thread-id}.
35220
35221 Reply:
35222 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35223
35224 @item vCont?
35225 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
35226 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
35227
35228 Reply:
35229 @table @samp
35230 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
35231 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
35232 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
35233 @item @w{}
35234 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
35235 @end table
35236
35237 @anchor{vCtrlC packet}
35238 @item vCtrlC
35239 @cindex @samp{vCtrlC} packet
35240 Interrupt remote target as if a control-C was pressed on the remote
35241 terminal. This is the equivalent to reacting to the @code{^C}
35242 (@samp{\003}, the control-C character) character in all-stop mode
35243 while the target is running, except this works in non-stop mode.
35244 @xref{interrupting remote targets}, for more info on the all-stop
35245 variant.
35246
35247 Reply:
35248 @table @samp
35249 @item E @var{nn}
35250 for an error
35251 @item OK
35252 for success
35253 @end table
35254
35255 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
35256 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
35257 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
35258 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
35259
35260 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
35261 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
35262 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
35263 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
35264 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
35265 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
35266 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
35267 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
35268 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35269 packet is received.
35270
35271 Reply:
35272 @table @samp
35273 @item OK
35274 for success
35275 @item E @var{NN}
35276 for an error
35277 @end table
35278
35279 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35280 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
35281 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
35282 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
35283 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
35284 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
35285 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
35286 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
35287 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
35288 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
35289 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
35290 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
35291
35292
35293 Reply:
35294 @table @samp
35295 @item OK
35296 for success
35297 @item E.memtype
35298 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
35299 @item E @var{NN}
35300 for an error
35301 @end table
35302
35303 @item vFlashDone
35304 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
35305 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
35306 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
35307 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
35308 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
35309 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35310 request is completed.
35311
35312 @item vKill;@var{pid}
35313 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
35314 @anchor{vKill packet}
35315 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
35316 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
35317 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
35318 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35319
35320 Reply:
35321 @table @samp
35322 @item E @var{nn}
35323 for an error
35324 @item OK
35325 for success
35326 @end table
35327
35328 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
35329 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
35330 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
35331 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
35332 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
35333 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
35334 state.
35335
35336 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
35337
35338 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35339
35340 Reply:
35341 @table @samp
35342 @item E @var{nn}
35343 for an error
35344 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35345 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35346 @end table
35347
35348 @item vStopped
35349 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
35350 @xref{Notification Packets}.
35351
35352 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35353 @anchor{X packet}
35354 @cindex @samp{X} packet
35355 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
35356 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of addressable memory
35357 units @var{length} (@pxref{addressable memory unit});
35358 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35359
35360 Reply:
35361 @table @samp
35362 @item OK
35363 for success
35364 @item E @var{NN}
35365 for an error
35366 @end table
35367
35368 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35369 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35370 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
35371 @cindex @samp{z} packet
35372 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
35373 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
35374 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
35375
35376 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
35377 separately.
35378
35379 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
35380 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
35381 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
35382 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
35383 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
35384 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
35385
35386 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35387 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35388 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
35389 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
35390 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
35391 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
35392
35393 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
35394 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
35395 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
35396 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
35397 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
35398 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
35399 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
35400 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
35401 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
35402 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
35403
35404 See also the @samp{swbreak} stop reason (@pxref{swbreak stop reason})
35405 for how to best report a memory breakpoint event to @value{GDBN}.
35406
35407 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
35408 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
35409
35410 @table @samp
35411
35412 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35413 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35414 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35415
35416 @end table
35417
35418 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
35419 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
35420 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
35421 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
35422 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
35423 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
35424 separators. Each expression has the following form:
35425
35426 @table @samp
35427
35428 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35429 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35430 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35431
35432 @end table
35433
35434 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
35435
35436 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
35437 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
35438 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
35439 target, is not defined.}
35440
35441 Reply:
35442 @table @samp
35443 @item OK
35444 success
35445 @item @w{}
35446 not supported
35447 @item E @var{NN}
35448 for an error
35449 @end table
35450
35451 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35452 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35453 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
35454 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
35455 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
35456 address @var{addr}.
35457
35458 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
35459 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. The @var{kind}
35460 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
35461
35462 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
35463 movement.}
35464
35465 Reply:
35466 @table @samp
35467 @item OK
35468 success
35469 @item @w{}
35470 not supported
35471 @item E @var{NN}
35472 for an error
35473 @end table
35474
35475 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35476 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35477 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
35478 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
35479 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35480 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
35481
35482 Reply:
35483 @table @samp
35484 @item OK
35485 success
35486 @item @w{}
35487 not supported
35488 @item E @var{NN}
35489 for an error
35490 @end table
35491
35492 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35493 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35494 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
35495 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
35496 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35497 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
35498
35499 Reply:
35500 @table @samp
35501 @item OK
35502 success
35503 @item @w{}
35504 not supported
35505 @item E @var{NN}
35506 for an error
35507 @end table
35508
35509 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35510 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35511 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
35512 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
35513 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35514 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
35515
35516 Reply:
35517 @table @samp
35518 @item OK
35519 success
35520 @item @w{}
35521 not supported
35522 @item E @var{NN}
35523 for an error
35524 @end table
35525
35526 @end table
35527
35528 @node Stop Reply Packets
35529 @section Stop Reply Packets
35530 @cindex stop reply packets
35531
35532 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35533 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35534 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35535 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35536 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35537 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35538 @value{GDBN} source code.
35539
35540 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35541 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35542 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35543 components.
35544
35545 @table @samp
35546
35547 @item S @var{AA}
35548 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35549 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35550 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35551
35552 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35553 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35554 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35555 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35556 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35557 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35558 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35559 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35560
35561 @itemize @bullet
35562 @item
35563 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35564 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
35565 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35566 two-digit hex number.
35567
35568 @item
35569 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35570 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35571
35572 @item
35573 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35574 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35575
35576 @item
35577 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35578 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35579 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35580 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35581
35582 @item
35583 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35584 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35585 future.
35586 @end itemize
35587
35588 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35589
35590 @table @samp
35591 @item watch
35592 @itemx rwatch
35593 @itemx awatch
35594 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35595 hex.
35596
35597 @item syscall_entry
35598 @itemx syscall_return
35599 The packet indicates a syscall entry or return, and @var{r} is the
35600 syscall number, in hex.
35601
35602 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35603 @item library
35604 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35605 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35606 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
35607
35608 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35609 @item replaylog
35610 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35611 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35612 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35613 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35614 for more information.
35615
35616 @item swbreak
35617 @anchor{swbreak stop reason}
35618 The packet indicates a memory breakpoint instruction was executed,
35619 irrespective of whether it was @value{GDBN} that planted the
35620 breakpoint or the breakpoint is hardcoded in the program. The @var{r}
35621 part must be left empty.
35622
35623 On some architectures, such as x86, at the architecture level, when a
35624 breakpoint instruction executes the program counter points at the
35625 breakpoint address plus an offset. On such targets, the stub is
35626 responsible for adjusting the PC to point back at the breakpoint
35627 address.
35628
35629 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35630 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35631 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35632 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35633 indicating support.
35634
35635 This packet is required for correct non-stop mode operation.
35636
35637 @item hwbreak
35638 The packet indicates the target stopped for a hardware breakpoint.
35639 The @var{r} part must be left empty.
35640
35641 The same remarks about @samp{qSupported} and non-stop mode above
35642 apply.
35643
35644 @cindex fork events, remote reply
35645 @item fork
35646 The packet indicates that @code{fork} was called, and @var{r}
35647 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
35648 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35649 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
35650 fork events.
35651
35652 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35653 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35654 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35655 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35656 indicating support.
35657
35658 @cindex vfork events, remote reply
35659 @item vfork
35660 The packet indicates that @code{vfork} was called, and @var{r}
35661 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
35662 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35663 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
35664 vfork events.
35665
35666 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35667 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35668 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35669 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35670 indicating support.
35671
35672 @cindex vforkdone events, remote reply
35673 @item vforkdone
35674 The packet indicates that a child process created by a vfork
35675 has either called @code{exec} or terminated, so that the
35676 address spaces of the parent and child process are no longer
35677 shared. The @var{r} part is ignored. This packet is only
35678 applicable to targets that support vforkdone events.
35679
35680 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35681 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35682 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35683 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35684 indicating support.
35685
35686 @cindex exec events, remote reply
35687 @item exec
35688 The packet indicates that @code{execve} was called, and @var{r}
35689 is the absolute pathname of the file that was executed, in hex.
35690 This packet is only applicable to targets that support exec events.
35691
35692 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35693 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35694 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35695 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35696 indicating support.
35697
35698 @cindex thread create event, remote reply
35699 @anchor{thread create event}
35700 @item create
35701 The packet indicates that the thread was just created. The new thread
35702 is stopped until @value{GDBN} sets it running with a resumption packet
35703 (@pxref{vCont packet}). This packet should not be sent by default;
35704 @value{GDBN} requests it with the @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See
35705 also the @samp{w} (@ref{thread exit event}) remote reply below.
35706
35707 @end table
35708
35709 @item W @var{AA}
35710 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35711 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35712 applicable to certain targets.
35713
35714 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35715 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35716 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35717 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35718
35719 @item X @var{AA}
35720 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35721 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
35722
35723 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
35724 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
35725 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
35726 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35727
35728 @anchor{thread exit event}
35729 @cindex thread exit event, remote reply
35730 @item w @var{AA} ; @var{tid}
35731
35732 The thread exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This response
35733 should not be sent by default; @value{GDBN} requests it with the
35734 @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See also @ref{thread create event} above.
35735
35736 @item N
35737 There are no resumed threads left in the target. In other words, even
35738 though the process is alive, the last resumed thread has exited. For
35739 example, say the target process has two threads: thread 1 and thread
35740 2. The client leaves thread 1 stopped, and resumes thread 2, which
35741 subsequently exits. At this point, even though the process is still
35742 alive, and thus no @samp{W} stop reply is sent, no thread is actually
35743 executing either. The @samp{N} stop reply thus informs the client
35744 that it can stop waiting for stop replies. This packet should not be
35745 sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions did not support it.
35746 @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an appropriate
35747 @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The remote stub must
35748 also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature indicating
35749 support.
35750
35751 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
35752 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
35753 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
35754 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
35755 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
35756
35757 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
35758 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
35759 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
35760 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
35761 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
35762 system calls.
35763
35764 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
35765 this very system call.
35766
35767 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
35768 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
35769 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
35770 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35771 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
35772 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
35773
35774 @end table
35775
35776 @node General Query Packets
35777 @section General Query Packets
35778 @cindex remote query requests
35779
35780 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
35781 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
35782 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
35783 sending information to and from the stub.
35784
35785 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
35786 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
35787 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
35788 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
35789 conventions:
35790
35791 @itemize @bullet
35792 @item
35793 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
35794 @item
35795 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
35796 letter.
35797 @item
35798 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
35799 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
35800 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
35801 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
35802 @end itemize
35803
35804 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
35805 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
35806 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
35807 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
35808 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
35809 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
35810 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
35811 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
35812 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
35813 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
35814 packet.}.
35815
35816 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
35817 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
35818 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
35819 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
35820 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
35821
35822 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
35823
35824 @table @samp
35825
35826 @item QAgent:1
35827 @itemx QAgent:0
35828 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
35829 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
35830
35831 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
35832 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
35833 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
35834 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
35835 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
35836 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
35837 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
35838 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
35839 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
35840 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
35841 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
35842
35843 @item qC
35844 @cindex current thread, remote request
35845 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
35846 Return the current thread ID.
35847
35848 Reply:
35849 @table @samp
35850 @item QC @var{thread-id}
35851 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
35852 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35853 @item @r{(anything else)}
35854 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
35855 @end table
35856
35857 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
35858 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
35859 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
35860 @anchor{qCRC packet}
35861 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
35862 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
35863 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
35864 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
35865
35866 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
35867 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
35868 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
35869 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
35870 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
35871 detect trailing zeros.
35872
35873 Reply:
35874 @table @samp
35875 @item E @var{NN}
35876 An error (such as memory fault)
35877 @item C @var{crc32}
35878 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
35879 @end table
35880
35881 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
35882 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
35883 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
35884 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
35885 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
35886 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
35887 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
35888 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
35889 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
35890 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
35891 randomization.
35892
35893 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35894
35895 Reply:
35896 @table @samp
35897 @item OK
35898 The request succeeded.
35899
35900 @item E @var{nn}
35901 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35902
35903 @item @w{}
35904 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
35905 by the stub.
35906 @end table
35907
35908 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35909 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35910 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
35911 address space randomization.
35912
35913 @item qfThreadInfo
35914 @itemx qsThreadInfo
35915 @cindex list active threads, remote request
35916 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
35917 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
35918 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
35919 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
35920 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
35921 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
35922 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
35923 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
35924
35925 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
35926
35927 Reply:
35928 @table @samp
35929 @item m @var{thread-id}
35930 A single thread ID
35931 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
35932 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
35933 @item l
35934 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
35935 @end table
35936
35937 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
35938 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
35939 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
35940 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
35941 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
35942 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35943 fields.
35944
35945 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
35946 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
35947 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
35948 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
35949 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
35950
35951 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
35952 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
35953 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
35954 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
35955 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
35956
35957 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
35958 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35959
35960 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
35961 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
35962 information associated with the variable.)
35963
35964 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
35965 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
35966 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
35967 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
35968 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
35969 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
35970
35971 Reply:
35972 @table @samp
35973 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35974 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
35975 local storage requested.
35976
35977 @item E @var{nn}
35978 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35979
35980 @item @w{}
35981 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35982 @end table
35983
35984 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
35985 @cindex get thread information block address
35986 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
35987 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
35988
35989 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
35990
35991 Reply:
35992 @table @samp
35993 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35994 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
35995 thread information block.
35996
35997 @item E @var{nn}
35998 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
35999 address could not be retrieved.
36000
36001 @item @w{}
36002 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36003 @end table
36004
36005 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
36006 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
36007 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
36008 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
36009 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
36010 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
36011 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
36012
36013 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
36014
36015 Reply:
36016 @table @samp
36017 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
36018 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
36019 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
36020 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
36021 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
36022 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
36023 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
36024 @end table
36025
36026 @item qOffsets
36027 @cindex section offsets, remote request
36028 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
36029 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
36030 image.
36031
36032 Reply:
36033 @table @samp
36034 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
36035 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
36036 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
36037 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
36038 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
36039 segments by the supplied offsets.
36040
36041 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
36042 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
36043 to the @code{Bss} section.}
36044
36045 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
36046 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
36047 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
36048 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
36049 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
36050 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
36051 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
36052 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
36053 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
36054 @end table
36055
36056 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
36057 @cindex thread information, remote request
36058 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
36059 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
36060 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
36061 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
36062
36063 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
36064 (see below).
36065
36066 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
36067
36068 @item QNonStop:1
36069 @itemx QNonStop:0
36070 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
36071 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
36072 @anchor{QNonStop}
36073 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
36074 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
36075
36076 Reply:
36077 @table @samp
36078 @item OK
36079 The request succeeded.
36080
36081 @item E @var{nn}
36082 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
36083
36084 @item @w{}
36085 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
36086 the stub.
36087 @end table
36088
36089 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36090 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36091 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
36092 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
36093
36094 @item QCatchSyscalls:1 @r{[};@var{sysno}@r{]}@dots{}
36095 @itemx QCatchSyscalls:0
36096 @cindex catch syscalls from inferior, remote request
36097 @cindex @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
36098 @anchor{QCatchSyscalls}
36099 Enable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}) or disable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:0})
36100 catching syscalls from the inferior process.
36101
36102 For @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}, each listed syscall @var{sysno} (encoded
36103 in hex) should be reported to @value{GDBN}. If no syscall @var{sysno}
36104 is listed, every system call should be reported.
36105
36106 Note that if a syscall not in the list is reported, @value{GDBN} will
36107 still filter the event according to its own list from all corresponding
36108 @code{catch syscall} commands. However, it is more efficient to only
36109 report the requested syscalls.
36110
36111 Multiple @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} packets do not combine; any earlier
36112 @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} list is completely replaced by the new list.
36113
36114 If the inferior process execs, the state of @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is
36115 kept for the new process too. On targets where exec may affect syscall
36116 numbers, for example with exec between 32 and 64-bit processes, the
36117 client should send a new packet with the new syscall list.
36118
36119 Reply:
36120 @table @samp
36121 @item OK
36122 The request succeeded.
36123
36124 @item E @var{nn}
36125 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36126
36127 @item @w{}
36128 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is not supported by
36129 the stub.
36130 @end table
36131
36132 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote catch-syscalls}
36133 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote catch-syscalls}).
36134 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36135 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36136
36137 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36138 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
36139 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36140 @anchor{QPassSignals}
36141 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
36142 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36143 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36144 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
36145 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
36146 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
36147 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
36148 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
36149 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
36150
36151 Reply:
36152 @table @samp
36153 @item OK
36154 The request succeeded.
36155
36156 @item E @var{nn}
36157 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
36158
36159 @item @w{}
36160 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
36161 the stub.
36162 @end table
36163
36164 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
36165 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
36166 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36167 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36168
36169 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36170 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
36171 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
36172 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
36173 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
36174 Others should be silently discarded.
36175
36176 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
36177 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
36178 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
36179 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
36180 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
36181 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
36182 signals.
36183
36184 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
36185 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
36186
36187 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36188 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36189 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
36190 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
36191 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
36192
36193 Reply:
36194 @table @samp
36195 @item OK
36196 The request succeeded.
36197
36198 @item E @var{nn}
36199 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
36200
36201 @item @w{}
36202 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
36203 by the stub.
36204 @end table
36205
36206 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
36207 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
36208 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36209 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36210
36211 @anchor{QThreadEvents}
36212 @item QThreadEvents:1
36213 @itemx QThreadEvents:0
36214 @cindex thread create/exit events, remote request
36215 @cindex @samp{QThreadEvents} packet
36216
36217 Enable (@samp{QThreadEvents:1}) or disable (@samp{QThreadEvents:0})
36218 reporting of thread create and exit events. @xref{thread create
36219 event}, for the reply specifications. For example, this is used in
36220 non-stop mode when @value{GDBN} stops a set of threads and
36221 synchronously waits for the their corresponding stop replies. Without
36222 exit events, if one of the threads exits, @value{GDBN} would hang
36223 forever not knowing that it should no longer expect a stop for that
36224 same thread. @value{GDBN} does not enable this feature unless the
36225 stub reports that it supports it by including @samp{QThreadEvents+} in
36226 its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36227
36228 Reply:
36229 @table @samp
36230 @item OK
36231 The request succeeded.
36232
36233 @item E @var{nn}
36234 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
36235
36236 @item @w{}
36237 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QThreadEvents} is not supported by
36238 the stub.
36239 @end table
36240
36241 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote thread-events}
36242 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote thread-events}).
36243
36244 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
36245 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
36246 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
36247 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
36248 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
36249 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
36250 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
36251 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
36252 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
36253
36254 Reply:
36255 @table @samp
36256 @item OK
36257 A command response with no output.
36258 @item @var{OUTPUT}
36259 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
36260 @item E @var{NN}
36261 Indicate a badly formed request.
36262 @item @w{}
36263 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
36264 @end table
36265
36266 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
36267 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36268 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36269 packets.)
36270
36271 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
36272 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
36273 @ifnotinfo
36274 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
36275 @end ifnotinfo
36276 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
36277 @anchor{qSearch memory}
36278 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
36279 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
36280 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
36281
36282 Reply:
36283 @table @samp
36284 @item 0
36285 The pattern was not found.
36286 @item 1,address
36287 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
36288 @item E @var{NN}
36289 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
36290 @item @w{}
36291 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
36292 @end table
36293
36294 @item QStartNoAckMode
36295 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
36296 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
36297 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
36298 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
36299
36300 Reply:
36301 @table @samp
36302 @item OK
36303 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
36304 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
36305 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
36306 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
36307 @item @w{}
36308 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
36309 @end table
36310
36311 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
36312 @cindex supported packets, remote query
36313 @cindex features of the remote protocol
36314 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
36315 @anchor{qSupported}
36316 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
36317 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
36318 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
36319 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
36320 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
36321 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
36322 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
36323 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
36324 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
36325 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
36326 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
36327 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
36328 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
36329 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
36330
36331 Reply:
36332 @table @samp
36333 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
36334 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
36335 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
36336 possible forms).
36337 @item @w{}
36338 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
36339 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
36340 @end table
36341
36342 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
36343 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
36344 are:
36345
36346 @table @samp
36347 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
36348 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
36349 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
36350 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
36351 @item @var{name}+
36352 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
36353 need an associated value.
36354 @item @var{name}-
36355 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
36356 @item @var{name}?
36357 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
36358 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
36359 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
36360 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
36361 @end table
36362
36363 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
36364 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
36365 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
36366 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
36367 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
36368
36369 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
36370 are defined:
36371
36372 @table @samp
36373 @item multiprocess
36374 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
36375 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36376 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36377 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36378 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
36379
36380 @item xmlRegisters
36381 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
36382 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
36383 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
36384 description.
36385
36386 @item qRelocInsn
36387 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
36388 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36389 instruction reply packet}).
36390
36391 @item swbreak
36392 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the swbreak stop
36393 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
36394
36395 @item hwbreak
36396 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the hwbreak stop
36397 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
36398
36399 @item fork-events
36400 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports fork event
36401 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36402 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36403 including @samp{fork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36404
36405 @item vfork-events
36406 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports vfork event
36407 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36408 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36409 including @samp{vfork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36410
36411 @item exec-events
36412 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports exec event
36413 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36414 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36415 including @samp{exec-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36416
36417 @item vContSupported
36418 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} wants to know the
36419 supported actions in the reply to @samp{vCont?} packet.
36420 @end table
36421
36422 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
36423 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
36424 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
36425 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
36426 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
36427 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
36428 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
36429 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
36430 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
36431 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
36432 all the features it supports.
36433
36434 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
36435 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
36436
36437 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
36438 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
36439 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
36440 form response.
36441
36442 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
36443 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
36444 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
36445 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
36446
36447 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
36448 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
36449 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
36450 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
36451 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
36452
36453 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
36454
36455 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
36456 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
36457 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
36458 @item Feature Name
36459 @tab Value Required
36460 @tab Default
36461 @tab Probe Allowed
36462
36463 @item @samp{PacketSize}
36464 @tab Yes
36465 @tab @samp{-}
36466 @tab No
36467
36468 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
36469 @tab No
36470 @tab @samp{-}
36471 @tab Yes
36472
36473 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
36474 @tab No
36475 @tab @samp{-}
36476 @tab Yes
36477
36478 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
36479 @tab No
36480 @tab @samp{-}
36481 @tab Yes
36482
36483 @item @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read}
36484 @tab No
36485 @tab @samp{-}
36486 @tab Yes
36487
36488 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
36489 @tab No
36490 @tab @samp{-}
36491 @tab Yes
36492
36493 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36494 @tab No
36495 @tab @samp{-}
36496 @tab Yes
36497
36498 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
36499 @tab No
36500 @tab @samp{-}
36501 @tab Yes
36502
36503 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
36504 @tab No
36505 @tab @samp{-}
36506 @tab No
36507
36508 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36509 @tab No
36510 @tab @samp{-}
36511 @tab Yes
36512
36513 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
36514 @tab No
36515 @tab @samp{-}
36516 @tab Yes
36517
36518 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
36519 @tab No
36520 @tab @samp{-}
36521 @tab Yes
36522
36523 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
36524 @tab No
36525 @tab @samp{-}
36526 @tab Yes
36527
36528 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
36529 @tab No
36530 @tab @samp{-}
36531 @tab Yes
36532
36533 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
36534 @tab No
36535 @tab @samp{-}
36536 @tab Yes
36537
36538 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
36539 @tab No
36540 @tab @samp{-}
36541 @tab Yes
36542
36543 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36544 @tab No
36545 @tab @samp{-}
36546 @tab Yes
36547
36548 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36549 @tab No
36550 @tab @samp{-}
36551 @tab Yes
36552
36553 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36554 @tab No
36555 @tab @samp{-}
36556 @tab Yes
36557
36558 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
36559 @tab Yes
36560 @tab @samp{-}
36561 @tab Yes
36562
36563 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
36564 @tab Yes
36565 @tab @samp{-}
36566 @tab Yes
36567
36568 @item @samp{Qbtrace:pt}
36569 @tab Yes
36570 @tab @samp{-}
36571 @tab Yes
36572
36573 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size}
36574 @tab Yes
36575 @tab @samp{-}
36576 @tab Yes
36577
36578 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size}
36579 @tab Yes
36580 @tab @samp{-}
36581 @tab Yes
36582
36583 @item @samp{QNonStop}
36584 @tab No
36585 @tab @samp{-}
36586 @tab Yes
36587
36588 @item @samp{QCatchSyscalls}
36589 @tab No
36590 @tab @samp{-}
36591 @tab Yes
36592
36593 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
36594 @tab No
36595 @tab @samp{-}
36596 @tab Yes
36597
36598 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
36599 @tab No
36600 @tab @samp{-}
36601 @tab Yes
36602
36603 @item @samp{multiprocess}
36604 @tab No
36605 @tab @samp{-}
36606 @tab No
36607
36608 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
36609 @tab No
36610 @tab @samp{-}
36611 @tab No
36612
36613 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
36614 @tab No
36615 @tab @samp{-}
36616 @tab No
36617
36618 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
36619 @tab No
36620 @tab @samp{-}
36621 @tab No
36622
36623 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
36624 @tab No
36625 @tab @samp{-}
36626 @tab No
36627
36628 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
36629 @tab No
36630 @tab @samp{-}
36631 @tab No
36632
36633 @item @samp{QAgent}
36634 @tab No
36635 @tab @samp{-}
36636 @tab No
36637
36638 @item @samp{QAllow}
36639 @tab No
36640 @tab @samp{-}
36641 @tab No
36642
36643 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
36644 @tab No
36645 @tab @samp{-}
36646 @tab No
36647
36648 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
36649 @tab No
36650 @tab @samp{-}
36651 @tab No
36652
36653 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
36654 @tab No
36655 @tab @samp{-}
36656 @tab No
36657
36658 @item @samp{tracenz}
36659 @tab No
36660 @tab @samp{-}
36661 @tab No
36662
36663 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
36664 @tab No
36665 @tab @samp{-}
36666 @tab No
36667
36668 @item @samp{swbreak}
36669 @tab No
36670 @tab @samp{-}
36671 @tab No
36672
36673 @item @samp{hwbreak}
36674 @tab No
36675 @tab @samp{-}
36676 @tab No
36677
36678 @item @samp{fork-events}
36679 @tab No
36680 @tab @samp{-}
36681 @tab No
36682
36683 @item @samp{vfork-events}
36684 @tab No
36685 @tab @samp{-}
36686 @tab No
36687
36688 @item @samp{exec-events}
36689 @tab No
36690 @tab @samp{-}
36691 @tab No
36692
36693 @item @samp{QThreadEvents}
36694 @tab No
36695 @tab @samp{-}
36696 @tab No
36697
36698 @item @samp{no-resumed}
36699 @tab No
36700 @tab @samp{-}
36701 @tab No
36702
36703 @end multitable
36704
36705 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
36706
36707 @table @samp
36708 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
36709 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
36710 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
36711 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
36712 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
36713 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
36714 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
36715 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
36716 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
36717 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
36718
36719 @item qXfer:auxv:read
36720 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
36721 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
36722
36723 @item qXfer:btrace:read
36724 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
36725 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
36726
36727 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read
36728 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
36729 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}).
36730
36731 @item qXfer:exec-file:read
36732 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read} packet
36733 (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}).
36734
36735 @item qXfer:features:read
36736 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
36737 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
36738
36739 @item qXfer:libraries:read
36740 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
36741 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
36742
36743 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
36744 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36745 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36746
36747 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
36748 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
36749 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36750 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36751
36752 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
36753 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
36754 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
36755
36756 @item qXfer:sdata:read
36757 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
36758 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
36759
36760 @item qXfer:spu:read
36761 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
36762 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
36763
36764 @item qXfer:spu:write
36765 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
36766 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
36767
36768 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
36769 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
36770 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
36771
36772 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
36773 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
36774 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
36775
36776 @item qXfer:threads:read
36777 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36778 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
36779
36780 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
36781 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36782 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
36783
36784 @item qXfer:uib:read
36785 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36786 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
36787
36788 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
36789 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36790 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
36791
36792 @item QNonStop
36793 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
36794 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
36795
36796 @item QCatchSyscalls
36797 The remote stub understands the @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
36798 (@pxref{QCatchSyscalls}).
36799
36800 @item QPassSignals
36801 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36802 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
36803
36804 @item QStartNoAckMode
36805 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
36806 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
36807
36808 @item multiprocess
36809 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
36810 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
36811 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
36812 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
36813 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
36814 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
36815 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
36816 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
36817 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
36818 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
36819 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
36820
36821 @item qXfer:osdata:read
36822 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
36823 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
36824
36825 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
36826 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
36827 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
36828 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36829
36830 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36831 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36832 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36833
36834 @item ReverseContinue
36835 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36836 (@pxref{bc}).
36837
36838 @item ReverseStep
36839 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36840 (@pxref{bs}).
36841
36842 @item TracepointSource
36843 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36844 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36845
36846 @item QAgent
36847 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36848
36849 @item QAllow
36850 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36851
36852 @item QDisableRandomization
36853 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36854
36855 @item StaticTracepoint
36856 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36857 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36858
36859 @item InstallInTrace
36860 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36861 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36862
36863 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36864 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36865 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36866 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36867
36868 @item QTBuffer:size
36869 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
36870 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
36871
36872 @item tracenz
36873 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36874 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36875 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36876
36877 @item BreakpointCommands
36878 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36879 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36880 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36881
36882 @item Qbtrace:off
36883 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
36884
36885 @item Qbtrace:bts
36886 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
36887
36888 @item Qbtrace:pt
36889 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:pt} packet.
36890
36891 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size
36892 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size} packet.
36893
36894 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size
36895 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size} packet.
36896
36897 @item swbreak
36898 The remote stub reports the @samp{swbreak} stop reason for memory
36899 breakpoints.
36900
36901 @item hwbreak
36902 The remote stub reports the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason for hardware
36903 breakpoints.
36904
36905 @item fork-events
36906 The remote stub reports the @samp{fork} stop reason for fork events.
36907
36908 @item vfork-events
36909 The remote stub reports the @samp{vfork} stop reason for vfork events
36910 and vforkdone events.
36911
36912 @item exec-events
36913 The remote stub reports the @samp{exec} stop reason for exec events.
36914
36915 @item vContSupported
36916 The remote stub reports the supported actions in the reply to
36917 @samp{vCont?} packet.
36918
36919 @item QThreadEvents
36920 The remote stub understands the @samp{QThreadEvents} packet.
36921
36922 @item no-resumed
36923 The remote stub reports the @samp{N} stop reply.
36924
36925 @end table
36926
36927 @item qSymbol::
36928 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36929 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36930 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36931 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36932
36933 Reply:
36934 @table @samp
36935 @item OK
36936 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36937 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36938 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36939 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36940 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36941 below.
36942 @end table
36943
36944 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36945 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36946
36947 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36948 target has previously requested.
36949
36950 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36951 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36952 will be empty.
36953
36954 Reply:
36955 @table @samp
36956 @item OK
36957 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36958 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36959 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36960 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36961 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36962 @end table
36963
36964 @item qTBuffer
36965 @itemx QTBuffer
36966 @itemx QTDisconnected
36967 @itemx QTDP
36968 @itemx QTDPsrc
36969 @itemx QTDV
36970 @itemx qTfP
36971 @itemx qTfV
36972 @itemx QTFrame
36973 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36974
36975 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36976
36977 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36978 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36979 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36980 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
36981 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
36982 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
36983 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36984 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36985 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36986 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36987 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36988
36989 Reply:
36990 @table @samp
36991 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36992 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36993 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36994 the thread's attributes.
36995 @end table
36996
36997 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36998 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36999 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37000 packets.)
37001
37002 @item QTNotes
37003 @itemx qTP
37004 @itemx QTSave
37005 @itemx qTsP
37006 @itemx qTsV
37007 @itemx QTStart
37008 @itemx QTStop
37009 @itemx QTEnable
37010 @itemx QTDisable
37011 @itemx QTinit
37012 @itemx QTro
37013 @itemx qTStatus
37014 @itemx qTV
37015 @itemx qTfSTM
37016 @itemx qTsSTM
37017 @itemx qTSTMat
37018 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37019
37020 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37021 @cindex read special object, remote request
37022 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
37023 @anchor{qXfer read}
37024 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
37025 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
37026 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37027 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37028 additional details about what data to access.
37029
37030 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37031 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37032 formats, listed below.
37033
37034 @table @samp
37035 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37036 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
37037 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
37038 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
37039
37040 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37041 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37042
37043 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37044 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
37045
37046 Return a description of the current branch trace.
37047 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
37048 packet may have one of the following values:
37049
37050 @table @code
37051 @item all
37052 Returns all available branch trace.
37053
37054 @item new
37055 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
37056 the last read request.
37057
37058 @item delta
37059 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
37060 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
37061 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
37062 used to stitch traces together.
37063
37064 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
37065 @end table
37066
37067 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
37068 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37069
37070 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37071 @anchor{qXfer btrace-conf read}
37072
37073 Return a description of the current branch trace configuration.
37074 @xref{Branch Trace Configuration Format}.
37075
37076 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
37077 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37078
37079 @item qXfer:exec-file:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37080 @anchor{qXfer executable filename read}
37081 Return the full absolute name of the file that was executed to create
37082 a process running on the remote system. The annex specifies the
37083 numeric process ID of the process to query, encoded as a hexadecimal
37084 number. If the annex part is empty the remote stub should return the
37085 filename corresponding to the currently executing process.
37086
37087 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37088 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37089
37090 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37091 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
37092 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
37093 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
37094 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
37095
37096 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37097 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37098
37099 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37100 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
37101 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
37102 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37103 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37104
37105 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37106 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37107 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37108
37109 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37110 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37111
37112 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37113 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37114 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37115 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37116 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
37117 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
37118 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37119 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
37120
37121 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37122 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
37123
37124 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37125 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37126
37127 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
37128 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
37129 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
37130 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
37131
37132 @table @code
37133 @item start=@var{address}
37134 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
37135 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
37136 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
37137 chosen as the starting point.
37138
37139 @item prev=@var{address}
37140 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
37141 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
37142 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
37143 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
37144 exists prior to the starting point.
37145
37146 @end table
37147
37148 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
37149 ignored.
37150
37151 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37152 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37153 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37154 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37155 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37156
37157 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37158 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37159
37160 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37161 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37162
37163 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37164 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37165 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37166 Action Lists}.
37167
37168 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37169 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37170 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37171
37172 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37173 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37174 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37175 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37176 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37177
37178 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37179 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37180 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37181
37182 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37183 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37184 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37185 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37186 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37187 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37188 in that context to be accessed.
37189
37190 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37191 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37192 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37193
37194 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37195 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37196 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37197 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37198 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37199
37200 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37201 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37202
37203 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37204 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
37205
37206 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
37207 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
37208 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37209
37210 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37211 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37212
37213 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37214 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
37215
37216 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
37217 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
37218
37219 This packet is not probed by default.
37220
37221 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37222 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37223 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37224 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37225 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37226
37227 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37228 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37229
37230 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37231 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37232 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37233 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37234
37235 @end table
37236
37237 Reply:
37238 @table @samp
37239 @item m @var{data}
37240 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37241 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37242 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37243 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37244 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37245 request.
37246
37247 @item l @var{data}
37248 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37249 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
37250 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
37251
37252 @item l
37253 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37254 There is no more data to be read.
37255
37256 @item E00
37257 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37258
37259 @item E @var{nn}
37260 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37261 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37262
37263 @item @w{}
37264 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37265 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37266 @end table
37267
37268 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37269 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37270 @anchor{qXfer write}
37271 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37272 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37273 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
37274 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37275 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37276 to access.
37277
37278 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37279 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37280 formats, listed below.
37281
37282 @table @samp
37283 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37284 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37285 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37286 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37287 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37288
37289 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37290 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37291 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37292
37293 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37294 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37295 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37296 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37297 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37298 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37299 in that context to be accessed.
37300
37301 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37302 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37303 @end table
37304
37305 Reply:
37306 @table @samp
37307 @item @var{nn}
37308 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37309 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37310
37311 @item E00
37312 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37313
37314 @item E @var{nn}
37315 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37316 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37317
37318 @item @w{}
37319 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37320 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37321 @end table
37322
37323 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37324 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37325 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37326 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37327 must respond with an empty packet.
37328
37329 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37330 @cindex query attached, remote request
37331 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37332 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37333 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37334 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37335 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37336 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37337 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37338
37339 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37340 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37341 the @code{quit} command.
37342
37343 Reply:
37344 @table @samp
37345 @item 1
37346 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37347 @item 0
37348 The remote server created a new process.
37349 @item E @var{NN}
37350 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37351 @end table
37352
37353 @item Qbtrace:bts
37354 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Branch Trace Store.
37355
37356 Reply:
37357 @table @samp
37358 @item OK
37359 Branch tracing has been enabled.
37360 @item E.errtext
37361 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37362 @end table
37363
37364 @item Qbtrace:pt
37365 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Intel Processor Trace.
37366
37367 Reply:
37368 @table @samp
37369 @item OK
37370 Branch tracing has been enabled.
37371 @item E.errtext
37372 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37373 @end table
37374
37375 @item Qbtrace:off
37376 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
37377
37378 Reply:
37379 @table @samp
37380 @item OK
37381 Branch tracing has been disabled.
37382 @item E.errtext
37383 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37384 @end table
37385
37386 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size=@var{value}
37387 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
37388 btrace recording method in bts format.
37389
37390 Reply:
37391 @table @samp
37392 @item OK
37393 The ring buffer size has been set.
37394 @item E.errtext
37395 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37396 @end table
37397
37398 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size=@var{value}
37399 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
37400 btrace recording method in pt format.
37401
37402 Reply:
37403 @table @samp
37404 @item OK
37405 The ring buffer size has been set.
37406 @item E.errtext
37407 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37408 @end table
37409
37410 @end table
37411
37412 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37413 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37414
37415 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37416 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37417 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37418
37419 @menu
37420 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37421 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37422 @end menu
37423
37424 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37425 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37426
37427 @menu
37428 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37429 @end menu
37430
37431 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37432 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37433 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37434
37435 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37436
37437 @table @r
37438
37439 @item 2
37440 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37441
37442 @item 3
37443 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37444
37445 @item 4
37446 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37447
37448 @end table
37449
37450 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37451 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37452
37453 @menu
37454 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37455 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37456 @end menu
37457
37458 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37459 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37460 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37461
37462 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37463 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37464 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37465 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37466 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37467 most-significant -- least-significant.
37468
37469 @table @r
37470
37471 @item MIPS32
37472 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37473 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37474 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37475
37476 @item MIPS64
37477 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37478 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37479 as @code{MIPS32}.
37480
37481 @end table
37482
37483 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37484 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37485 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37486
37487 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37488
37489 @table @r
37490
37491 @item 2
37492 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37493
37494 @item 3
37495 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37496
37497 @item 4
37498 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37499
37500 @item 5
37501 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37502
37503 @end table
37504
37505 @node Tracepoint Packets
37506 @section Tracepoint Packets
37507 @cindex tracepoint packets
37508 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37509
37510 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37511 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37512
37513 @table @samp
37514
37515 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37516 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37517 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37518 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37519 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
37520 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37521 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37522 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37523 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37524 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37525 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37526 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37527 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37528 actions.
37529
37530 Replies:
37531 @table @samp
37532 @item OK
37533 The packet was understood and carried out.
37534 @item qRelocInsn
37535 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37536 @item @w{}
37537 The packet was not recognized.
37538 @end table
37539
37540 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37541 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
37542 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37543 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37544 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
37545 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
37546 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
37547
37548 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
37549 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
37550 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
37551 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
37552 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
37553 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
37554 tracepoint actions.
37555
37556 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
37557 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
37558 following forms:
37559
37560 @table @samp
37561
37562 @item R @var{mask}
37563 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
37564 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
37565 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
37566 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
37567 not fit in a 32-bit word.
37568
37569 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
37570 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
37571 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
37572 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
37573 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
37574 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
37575 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
37576
37577 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37578 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
37579 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
37580 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
37581 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
37582 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
37583 packet).
37584
37585 @end table
37586
37587 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
37588 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
37589 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
37590 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
37591 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
37592 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
37593 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
37594 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
37595
37596 Replies:
37597 @table @samp
37598 @item OK
37599 The packet was understood and carried out.
37600 @item qRelocInsn
37601 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37602 @item @w{}
37603 The packet was not recognized.
37604 @end table
37605
37606 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
37607 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
37608 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
37609 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
37610 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
37611 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
37612 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
37613 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
37614
37615 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
37616 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
37617 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
37618 fit in a single packet.
37619 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
37620 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
37621
37622 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
37623 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
37624 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
37625 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
37626
37627 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
37628 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
37629 query packets.
37630
37631 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
37632 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
37633 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
37634 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
37635 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
37636 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
37637 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
37638 be found.
37639
37640 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}:@var{builtin}:@var{name}
37641 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
37642 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
37643 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
37644 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
37645 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
37646 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
37647 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
37648 mentioned in expressions. The value @var{builtin} should be 1 (one)
37649 if the trace state variable is builtin and 0 (zero) if it is not builtin.
37650 @value{GDBN} only sets @var{builtin} to 1 if a previous @samp{qTfV} or
37651 @samp{qTsV} packet had it set. The contents of @var{name} is the
37652 hex-encoded name (without the leading @samp{$}) of the trace state
37653 variable.
37654
37655 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
37656 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
37657 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
37658 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
37659 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
37660
37661 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
37662 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
37663 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
37664 one of the following forms:
37665
37666 @table @samp
37667 @item F @var{f}
37668 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
37669 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
37670 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
37671
37672 @item T @var{t}
37673 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
37674 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
37675
37676 @end table
37677
37678 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
37679 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37680 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
37681 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
37682
37683 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
37684 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37685 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
37686 is a hexadecimal number.
37687
37688 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
37689 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37690 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
37691 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
37692 numbers.
37693
37694 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
37695 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
37696 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
37697
37698 @item qTMinFTPILen
37699 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
37700 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
37701 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
37702 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
37703 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
37704 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
37705 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
37706 arrange for that.
37707
37708 Replies:
37709
37710 @table @samp
37711 @item 0
37712 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
37713 @item @var{length}
37714 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
37715 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
37716 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
37717 regardless of size.
37718 @item E
37719 An error has occurred.
37720 @item @w{}
37721 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
37722 @end table
37723
37724 @item QTStart
37725 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
37726 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
37727 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
37728 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37729 instruction reply packet}).
37730
37731 @item QTStop
37732 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
37733 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
37734
37735 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37736 @anchor{QTEnable}
37737 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
37738 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37739 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
37740 of data from it will resume.
37741
37742 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37743 @anchor{QTDisable}
37744 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
37745 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37746 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
37747 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
37748
37749 @item QTinit
37750 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
37751 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
37752
37753 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
37754 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
37755 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
37756 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
37757 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
37758
37759 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
37760 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
37761 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
37762 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
37763
37764 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
37765 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
37766 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
37767 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
37768 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
37769 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
37770
37771 @item qTStatus
37772 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
37773 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
37774
37775 The reply has the form:
37776
37777 @table @samp
37778
37779 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
37780 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
37781 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
37782 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
37783
37784 @end table
37785
37786 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
37787 explanations as one of the optional fields:
37788
37789 @table @samp
37790
37791 @item tnotrun:0
37792 No trace has been run yet.
37793
37794 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
37795 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
37796 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
37797 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
37798 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
37799
37800 @item tfull:0
37801 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
37802
37803 @item tdisconnected:0
37804 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
37805
37806 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
37807 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
37808
37809 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
37810 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
37811 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
37812 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
37813 is hex encoded.
37814
37815 @item tunknown:0
37816 The trace stopped for some other reason.
37817
37818 @end table
37819
37820 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
37821 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
37822 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
37823 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
37824 trace.
37825
37826 @table @samp
37827
37828 @item tframes:@var{n}
37829 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
37830
37831 @item tcreated:@var{n}
37832 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
37833 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
37834
37835 @item tsize:@var{n}
37836 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
37837
37838 @item tfree:@var{n}
37839 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
37840
37841 @item circular:@var{n}
37842 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
37843 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
37844 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
37845 and may fill up.
37846
37847 @item disconn:@var{n}
37848 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
37849 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
37850 that the trace run will stop.
37851
37852 @end table
37853
37854 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
37855 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
37856 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
37857 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
37858 address @var{addr}.
37859
37860 Replies:
37861 @table @samp
37862 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
37863 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
37864 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
37865 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
37866 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
37867
37868 @end table
37869
37870 @item qTV:@var{var}
37871 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
37872 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
37873 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
37874
37875 Replies:
37876 @table @samp
37877 @item V@var{value}
37878 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
37879 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
37880 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
37881 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
37882 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
37883 program is running.
37884
37885 @item U
37886 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
37887 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
37888 was not collected.
37889 @end table
37890
37891 @item qTfP
37892 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
37893 @itemx qTsP
37894 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
37895 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
37896 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
37897 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
37898 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
37899 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
37900
37901 @item qTfV
37902 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
37903 @itemx qTsV
37904 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
37905 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
37906 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
37907 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
37908 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
37909 trace state variables.
37910
37911 @item qTfSTM
37912 @itemx qTsSTM
37913 @anchor{qTfSTM}
37914 @anchor{qTsSTM}
37915 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
37916 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
37917 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
37918 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
37919 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
37920 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
37921
37922 Reply:
37923 @table @samp
37924 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
37925 A single marker
37926 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37927 a comma-separated list of markers
37928 @item l
37929 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37930 @item E @var{nn}
37931 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37932 @item @w{}
37933 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37934 stub.
37935 @end table
37936
37937 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
37938 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37939
37940 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37941 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37942 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37943 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37944 @dfn{last}).
37945
37946 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37947 @anchor{qTSTMat}
37948 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37949 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37950 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37951 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37952 tracepoint markers.
37953
37954 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37955 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37956 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37957 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
37958 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37959 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37960
37961 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37962 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37963 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37964 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37965 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37966 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37967 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37968 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37969 available.
37970
37971 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37972 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37973 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37974
37975 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
37976 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
37977 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
37978 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
37979 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
37980 use whatever size it prefers.
37981
37982 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37983 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37984 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37985 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37986 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37987
37988 @end table
37989
37990 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37991 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37992 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37993 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37994 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37995 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37996 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37997 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37998 it had executed in the original location.
37999
38000 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
38001 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
38002 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
38003 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
38004 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
38005 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
38006 format of the request is:
38007
38008 @table @samp
38009 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
38010
38011 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
38012 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
38013 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
38014 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
38015 memory starting at @var{to}.
38016 @end table
38017
38018 Replies:
38019 @table @samp
38020 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
38021 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
38022 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
38023 @item E @var{NN}
38024 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
38025 relocating the instruction.
38026 @end table
38027
38028 @node Host I/O Packets
38029 @section Host I/O Packets
38030 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
38031 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
38032
38033 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
38034 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
38035 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
38036 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
38037 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
38038 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
38039 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
38040 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
38041 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
38042 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
38043
38044 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
38045 its arguments. They have this format:
38046
38047 @table @samp
38048
38049 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
38050 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
38051 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
38052 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
38053 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
38054 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
38055 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
38056 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
38057 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38058
38059 @end table
38060
38061 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
38062
38063 @table @samp
38064
38065 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
38066 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
38067 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
38068 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
38069 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
38070 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
38071 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
38072 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
38073 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
38074 @var{attachment}.
38075
38076 @item @w{}
38077 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
38078
38079 @end table
38080
38081 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
38082
38083 @table @samp
38084 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
38085 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
38086 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
38087 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
38088 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
38089 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
38090 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
38091
38092 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
38093 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
38094 -1 if an error occurs.
38095
38096 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
38097 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
38098 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
38099 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
38100 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
38101 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
38102 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
38103 @var{count} was zero.
38104
38105 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38106 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38107 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38108 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38109 some characters were escaped.
38110
38111 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
38112 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
38113 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
38114 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
38115 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
38116 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
38117 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
38118 error occurred.
38119
38120 @item vFile:fstat: @var{fd}
38121 Get information about the open file corresponding to @var{fd}.
38122 On success the information is returned as a binary attachment
38123 and the return value is the size of this attachment in bytes.
38124 If an error occurs the return value is -1. The format of the
38125 returned binary attachment is as described in @ref{struct stat}.
38126
38127 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
38128 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
38129 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
38130
38131 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
38132 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
38133 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
38134
38135 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38136 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38137 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38138 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38139 some characters were escaped.
38140
38141 @item vFile:setfs: @var{pid}
38142 Select the filesystem on which @code{vFile} operations with
38143 @var{filename} arguments will operate. This is required for
38144 @value{GDBN} to be able to access files on remote targets where
38145 the remote stub does not share a common filesystem with the
38146 inferior(s).
38147
38148 If @var{pid} is nonzero, select the filesystem as seen by process
38149 @var{pid}. If @var{pid} is zero, select the filesystem as seen by
38150 the remote stub. Return 0 on success, or -1 if an error occurs.
38151 If @code{vFile:setfs:} indicates success, the selected filesystem
38152 remains selected until the next successful @code{vFile:setfs:}
38153 operation.
38154
38155 @end table
38156
38157 @node Interrupts
38158 @section Interrupts
38159 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
38160 @anchor{interrupting remote targets}
38161
38162 In all-stop mode, when a program on the remote target is running,
38163 @value{GDBN} may attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C},
38164 @code{BREAK} or a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}, control of which
38165 is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
38166
38167 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
38168 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
38169 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
38170 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
38171 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
38172
38173 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
38174 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
38175 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
38176 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
38177 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
38178 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
38179 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
38180 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
38181
38182 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
38183 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
38184 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
38185
38186 In non-stop mode, because packet resumptions are asynchronous
38187 (@pxref{vCont packet}), @value{GDBN} is always free to send a remote
38188 command to the remote stub, even when the target is running. For that
38189 reason, @value{GDBN} instead sends a regular packet (@pxref{vCtrlC
38190 packet}) with the usual packet framing instead of the single byte
38191 @code{0x03}.
38192
38193 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
38194 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
38195 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
38196 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
38197 currently-executing threads and processes.
38198 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
38199 running program, it should send one of the stop
38200 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
38201 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
38202 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
38203 Interrupts received while the
38204 program is stopped are queued and the program will be interrupted when
38205 it is resumed next time.
38206
38207 @node Notification Packets
38208 @section Notification Packets
38209 @cindex notification packets
38210 @cindex packets, notification
38211
38212 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
38213 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
38214 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
38215 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
38216 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
38217 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
38218 is not a problem.
38219
38220 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38221 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38222 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38223 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38224 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38225 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38226 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38227
38228 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38229 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38230
38231 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38232 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38233 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38234 not they understand it.
38235
38236 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38237 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38238 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38239 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38240 recipients.
38241
38242 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38243 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38244 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38245 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38246 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38247
38248 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
38249 @table @samp
38250 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
38251 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
38252 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
38253 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
38254 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
38255 @item @var{ack}
38256 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
38257 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
38258 @end table
38259
38260 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
38261 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
38262
38263 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
38264 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
38265 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
38266 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
38267 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38268 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38269 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
38270 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38271 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
38272 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
38273
38274 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
38275 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
38276 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38277 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38278 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38279 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38280
38281 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
38282 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
38283 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
38284 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
38285 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
38286
38287 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
38288 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38289 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
38290 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
38291 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
38292 normally.
38293
38294 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
38295 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
38296 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
38297 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
38298 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
38299 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
38300 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
38301 the process shall be repeated.
38302
38303 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
38304 following example:
38305 @smallexample
38306 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
38307 @code{...}
38308 -> @code{vStopped}
38309 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
38310 -> @code{vStopped}
38311 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
38312 -> @code{vStopped}
38313 <- @code{OK}
38314 @end smallexample
38315
38316 The following notifications are defined:
38317 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
38318
38319 @item Notification
38320 @tab Ack
38321 @tab Event
38322 @tab Description
38323
38324 @item Stop
38325 @tab vStopped
38326 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38327 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38328 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38329 @value{GDBN}.
38330 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38331
38332 @end multitable
38333
38334 @node Remote Non-Stop
38335 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38336
38337 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38338 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38339 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38340 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38341
38342 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38343 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38344 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38345 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38346 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38347 probe the target state after a mode change.
38348
38349 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38350 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38351 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38352 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38353 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38354 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38355 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38356 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38357 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38358 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38359 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38360
38361 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38362 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38363 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38364 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38365 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38366 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38367 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38368 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38369 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38370 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38371 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38372 @samp{OK}.
38373
38374 If the stub supports non-stop mode, it should also support the
38375 @samp{swbreak} stop reason if software breakpoints are supported, and
38376 the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason if hardware breakpoints are supported
38377 (@pxref{swbreak stop reason}). This is because given the asynchronous
38378 nature of non-stop mode, between the time a thread hits a breakpoint
38379 and the time the event is finally processed by @value{GDBN}, the
38380 breakpoint may have already been removed from the target. Due to
38381 this, @value{GDBN} needs to be able to tell whether a trap stop was
38382 caused by a delayed breakpoint event, which should be ignored, as
38383 opposed to a random trap signal, which should be reported to the user.
38384 Note the @samp{swbreak} feature implies that the target is responsible
38385 for adjusting the PC when a software breakpoint triggers, if
38386 necessary, such as on the x86 architecture.
38387
38388 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38389 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38390
38391 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38392 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38393 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38394 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38395 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38396 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38397 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38398
38399 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38400 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38401 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38402 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38403 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38404
38405 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38406 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38407 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38408 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38409
38410 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38411 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38412 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38413 @pxref{qSupported}.
38414 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38415 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38416 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38417 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38418 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38419 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38420 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38421
38422 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38423 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38424 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38425 connection.
38426 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38427 new connection is established,
38428 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38429 for the current connection, once disabled.
38430
38431 @node Examples
38432 @section Examples
38433
38434 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38435 does not get any direct output:
38436
38437 @smallexample
38438 -> @code{R00}
38439 <- @code{+}
38440 @emph{target restarts}
38441 -> @code{?}
38442 <- @code{+}
38443 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38444 -> @code{+}
38445 @end smallexample
38446
38447 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38448
38449 @smallexample
38450 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38451 <- @code{+}
38452 -> @code{s}
38453 <- @code{+}
38454 @emph{time passes}
38455 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38456 -> @code{+}
38457 -> @code{g}
38458 <- @code{+}
38459 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38460 -> @code{+}
38461 @end smallexample
38462
38463 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38464 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38465 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38466
38467 @menu
38468 * File-I/O Overview::
38469 * Protocol Basics::
38470 * The F Request Packet::
38471 * The F Reply Packet::
38472 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38473 * Console I/O::
38474 * List of Supported Calls::
38475 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38476 * Constants::
38477 * File-I/O Examples::
38478 @end menu
38479
38480 @node File-I/O Overview
38481 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38482 @cindex file-i/o overview
38483
38484 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38485 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38486 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38487 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38488 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38489 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38490
38491 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38492 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38493 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38494 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38495 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38496
38497 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38498 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38499 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38500 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38501 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38502 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38503 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38504
38505 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38506 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38507 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38508 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38509 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38510
38511 @smallexample
38512 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38513 <- target requests 'system call X'
38514 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38515 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38516 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38517 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38518 @end smallexample
38519
38520 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38521 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38522 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38523 system are not supported by this protocol.
38524
38525 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38526
38527 @node Protocol Basics
38528 @subsection Protocol Basics
38529 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38530
38531 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38532 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38533 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38534 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38535 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38536 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38537 to call the appropriate host system call:
38538
38539 @itemize @bullet
38540 @item
38541 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38542
38543 @item
38544 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38545 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38546 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38547 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38548
38549 @end itemize
38550
38551 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38552
38553 @itemize @bullet
38554 @item
38555 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38556 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38557 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38558 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38559 packet.
38560
38561 @item
38562 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38563 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38564
38565 @item
38566 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38567
38568 @item
38569 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38570
38571 @item
38572 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38573 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38574 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38575 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38576 packet.
38577
38578 @end itemize
38579
38580 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38581 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38582
38583 @itemize @bullet
38584 @item
38585 Return value.
38586
38587 @item
38588 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38589
38590 @item
38591 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
38592
38593 @end itemize
38594
38595 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38596 the latest continue or step action.
38597
38598 @node The F Request Packet
38599 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38600 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38601 @cindex @code{F} request packet
38602
38603 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
38604
38605 @table @samp
38606 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
38607
38608 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
38609 This is just the name of the function.
38610
38611 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
38612 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
38613 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
38614 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
38615 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
38616 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
38617 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
38618
38619 @end table
38620
38621
38622
38623 @node The F Reply Packet
38624 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
38625 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
38626 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
38627
38628 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
38629
38630 @table @samp
38631
38632 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
38633
38634 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
38635
38636 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
38637 representation.
38638 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
38639
38640 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
38641 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
38642 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
38643
38644 @smallexample
38645 F0,0,C
38646 @end smallexample
38647
38648 @noindent
38649 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
38650
38651 @smallexample
38652 F-1,4,C
38653 @end smallexample
38654
38655 @noindent
38656 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
38657
38658 @end table
38659
38660
38661 @node The Ctrl-C Message
38662 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
38663 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
38664
38665 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
38666 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
38667 the target should behave as if it had
38668 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
38669 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
38670 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
38671 packet.
38672
38673 It's important for the target to know in which
38674 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
38675
38676 @itemize @bullet
38677 @item
38678 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
38679
38680 @item
38681 The system call on the host has been finished.
38682
38683 @end itemize
38684
38685 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
38686 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
38687 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
38688 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
38689 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
38690 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
38691
38692 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
38693 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
38694 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
38695 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
38696 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
38697 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
38698 or the full action has been completed.
38699
38700 @node Console I/O
38701 @subsection Console I/O
38702 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
38703
38704 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
38705 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
38706 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
38707 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
38708 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
38709 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
38710 conditions is met:
38711
38712 @itemize @bullet
38713 @item
38714 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
38715 @code{read}
38716 system call is treated as finished.
38717
38718 @item
38719 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
38720 newline.
38721
38722 @item
38723 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
38724 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
38725
38726 @end itemize
38727
38728 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
38729 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
38730 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
38731 is stopped at the user's request.
38732
38733
38734 @node List of Supported Calls
38735 @subsection List of Supported Calls
38736 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
38737
38738 @menu
38739 * open::
38740 * close::
38741 * read::
38742 * write::
38743 * lseek::
38744 * rename::
38745 * unlink::
38746 * stat/fstat::
38747 * gettimeofday::
38748 * isatty::
38749 * system::
38750 @end menu
38751
38752 @node open
38753 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
38754 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
38755
38756 @table @asis
38757 @item Synopsis:
38758 @smallexample
38759 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
38760 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
38761 @end smallexample
38762
38763 @item Request:
38764 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
38765
38766 @noindent
38767 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38768
38769 @table @code
38770 @item O_CREAT
38771 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
38772 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
38773 are concerned.
38774
38775 @item O_EXCL
38776 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
38777 an error and open() fails.
38778
38779 @item O_TRUNC
38780 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
38781 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
38782 truncated to zero length.
38783
38784 @item O_APPEND
38785 The file is opened in append mode.
38786
38787 @item O_RDONLY
38788 The file is opened for reading only.
38789
38790 @item O_WRONLY
38791 The file is opened for writing only.
38792
38793 @item O_RDWR
38794 The file is opened for reading and writing.
38795 @end table
38796
38797 @noindent
38798 Other bits are silently ignored.
38799
38800
38801 @noindent
38802 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38803
38804 @table @code
38805 @item S_IRUSR
38806 User has read permission.
38807
38808 @item S_IWUSR
38809 User has write permission.
38810
38811 @item S_IRGRP
38812 Group has read permission.
38813
38814 @item S_IWGRP
38815 Group has write permission.
38816
38817 @item S_IROTH
38818 Others have read permission.
38819
38820 @item S_IWOTH
38821 Others have write permission.
38822 @end table
38823
38824 @noindent
38825 Other bits are silently ignored.
38826
38827
38828 @item Return value:
38829 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
38830 occurred.
38831
38832 @item Errors:
38833
38834 @table @code
38835 @item EEXIST
38836 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
38837
38838 @item EISDIR
38839 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
38840
38841 @item EACCES
38842 The requested access is not allowed.
38843
38844 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38845 @var{pathname} was too long.
38846
38847 @item ENOENT
38848 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38849
38850 @item ENODEV
38851 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
38852
38853 @item EROFS
38854 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
38855 write access was requested.
38856
38857 @item EFAULT
38858 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
38859
38860 @item ENOSPC
38861 No space on device to create the file.
38862
38863 @item EMFILE
38864 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
38865
38866 @item ENFILE
38867 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
38868 has been reached.
38869
38870 @item EINTR
38871 The call was interrupted by the user.
38872 @end table
38873
38874 @end table
38875
38876 @node close
38877 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
38878 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
38879
38880 @table @asis
38881 @item Synopsis:
38882 @smallexample
38883 int close(int fd);
38884 @end smallexample
38885
38886 @item Request:
38887 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
38888
38889 @item Return value:
38890 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
38891
38892 @item Errors:
38893
38894 @table @code
38895 @item EBADF
38896 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
38897
38898 @item EINTR
38899 The call was interrupted by the user.
38900 @end table
38901
38902 @end table
38903
38904 @node read
38905 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
38906 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
38907
38908 @table @asis
38909 @item Synopsis:
38910 @smallexample
38911 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
38912 @end smallexample
38913
38914 @item Request:
38915 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38916
38917 @item Return value:
38918 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
38919 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
38920 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
38921
38922 @item Errors:
38923
38924 @table @code
38925 @item EBADF
38926 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38927 reading.
38928
38929 @item EFAULT
38930 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38931
38932 @item EINTR
38933 The call was interrupted by the user.
38934 @end table
38935
38936 @end table
38937
38938 @node write
38939 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
38940 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
38941
38942 @table @asis
38943 @item Synopsis:
38944 @smallexample
38945 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
38946 @end smallexample
38947
38948 @item Request:
38949 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38950
38951 @item Return value:
38952 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
38953 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
38954 is returned.
38955
38956 @item Errors:
38957
38958 @table @code
38959 @item EBADF
38960 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38961 writing.
38962
38963 @item EFAULT
38964 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38965
38966 @item EFBIG
38967 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
38968 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
38969
38970 @item ENOSPC
38971 No space on device to write the data.
38972
38973 @item EINTR
38974 The call was interrupted by the user.
38975 @end table
38976
38977 @end table
38978
38979 @node lseek
38980 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38981 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38982
38983 @table @asis
38984 @item Synopsis:
38985 @smallexample
38986 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38987 @end smallexample
38988
38989 @item Request:
38990 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38991
38992 @var{flag} is one of:
38993
38994 @table @code
38995 @item SEEK_SET
38996 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38997
38998 @item SEEK_CUR
38999 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
39000 bytes.
39001
39002 @item SEEK_END
39003 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
39004 bytes.
39005 @end table
39006
39007 @item Return value:
39008 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
39009 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
39010 value of -1 is returned.
39011
39012 @item Errors:
39013
39014 @table @code
39015 @item EBADF
39016 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
39017
39018 @item ESPIPE
39019 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
39020
39021 @item EINVAL
39022 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
39023
39024 @item EINTR
39025 The call was interrupted by the user.
39026 @end table
39027
39028 @end table
39029
39030 @node rename
39031 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
39032 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
39033
39034 @table @asis
39035 @item Synopsis:
39036 @smallexample
39037 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
39038 @end smallexample
39039
39040 @item Request:
39041 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
39042
39043 @item Return value:
39044 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39045
39046 @item Errors:
39047
39048 @table @code
39049 @item EISDIR
39050 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
39051 directory.
39052
39053 @item EEXIST
39054 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
39055
39056 @item EBUSY
39057 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
39058 process.
39059
39060 @item EINVAL
39061 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
39062 of itself.
39063
39064 @item ENOTDIR
39065 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
39066 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
39067 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
39068
39069 @item EFAULT
39070 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
39071
39072 @item EACCES
39073 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39074
39075 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39076
39077 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
39078
39079 @item ENOENT
39080 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
39081
39082 @item EROFS
39083 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39084
39085 @item ENOSPC
39086 The device containing the file has no room for the new
39087 directory entry.
39088
39089 @item EINTR
39090 The call was interrupted by the user.
39091 @end table
39092
39093 @end table
39094
39095 @node unlink
39096 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
39097 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
39098
39099 @table @asis
39100 @item Synopsis:
39101 @smallexample
39102 int unlink(const char *pathname);
39103 @end smallexample
39104
39105 @item Request:
39106 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
39107
39108 @item Return value:
39109 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39110
39111 @item Errors:
39112
39113 @table @code
39114 @item EACCES
39115 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39116
39117 @item EPERM
39118 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
39119
39120 @item EBUSY
39121 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
39122 being used by another process.
39123
39124 @item EFAULT
39125 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39126
39127 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39128 @var{pathname} was too long.
39129
39130 @item ENOENT
39131 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39132
39133 @item ENOTDIR
39134 A component of the path is not a directory.
39135
39136 @item EROFS
39137 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39138
39139 @item EINTR
39140 The call was interrupted by the user.
39141 @end table
39142
39143 @end table
39144
39145 @node stat/fstat
39146 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
39147 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
39148 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
39149
39150 @table @asis
39151 @item Synopsis:
39152 @smallexample
39153 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
39154 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
39155 @end smallexample
39156
39157 @item Request:
39158 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
39159 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
39160
39161 @item Return value:
39162 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39163
39164 @item Errors:
39165
39166 @table @code
39167 @item EBADF
39168 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
39169
39170 @item ENOENT
39171 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
39172 path is an empty string.
39173
39174 @item ENOTDIR
39175 A component of the path is not a directory.
39176
39177 @item EFAULT
39178 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39179
39180 @item EACCES
39181 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39182
39183 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39184 @var{pathname} was too long.
39185
39186 @item EINTR
39187 The call was interrupted by the user.
39188 @end table
39189
39190 @end table
39191
39192 @node gettimeofday
39193 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
39194 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
39195
39196 @table @asis
39197 @item Synopsis:
39198 @smallexample
39199 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
39200 @end smallexample
39201
39202 @item Request:
39203 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
39204
39205 @item Return value:
39206 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
39207
39208 @item Errors:
39209
39210 @table @code
39211 @item EINVAL
39212 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
39213
39214 @item EFAULT
39215 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39216 @end table
39217
39218 @end table
39219
39220 @node isatty
39221 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
39222 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
39223
39224 @table @asis
39225 @item Synopsis:
39226 @smallexample
39227 int isatty(int fd);
39228 @end smallexample
39229
39230 @item Request:
39231 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
39232
39233 @item Return value:
39234 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
39235
39236 @item Errors:
39237
39238 @table @code
39239 @item EINTR
39240 The call was interrupted by the user.
39241 @end table
39242
39243 @end table
39244
39245 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
39246 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
39247 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
39248 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
39249 needed.
39250
39251
39252 @node system
39253 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
39254 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
39255
39256 @table @asis
39257 @item Synopsis:
39258 @smallexample
39259 int system(const char *command);
39260 @end smallexample
39261
39262 @item Request:
39263 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
39264
39265 @item Return value:
39266 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39267 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39268 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39269 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39270 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39271 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39272 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39273
39274 @item Errors:
39275
39276 @table @code
39277 @item EINTR
39278 The call was interrupted by the user.
39279 @end table
39280
39281 @end table
39282
39283 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39284 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39285 the host is simplified before it's returned
39286 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39287 is discarded, and the return value consists
39288 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39289
39290 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39291 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39292 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39293
39294 @table @code
39295 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39296 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39297 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39298 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39299
39300 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39301 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39302 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39303 protocol.
39304 @end table
39305
39306 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39307 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39308 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39309
39310 @menu
39311 * Integral Datatypes::
39312 * Pointer Values::
39313 * Memory Transfer::
39314 * struct stat::
39315 * struct timeval::
39316 @end menu
39317
39318 @node Integral Datatypes
39319 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39320 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39321
39322 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39323 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39324 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39325
39326 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39327 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39328
39329 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39330
39331 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39332 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39333
39334 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39335
39336 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39337 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39338 byte order.
39339
39340 @node Pointer Values
39341 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39342 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39343
39344 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39345 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39346 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39347 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39348
39349 @smallexample
39350 @code{1aaf/12}
39351 @end smallexample
39352
39353 @noindent
39354 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39355 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39356 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39357 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39358
39359 @smallexample
39360 @code{123456/d}
39361 @end smallexample
39362
39363 @node Memory Transfer
39364 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39365 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39366
39367 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39368 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39369 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39370 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39371 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39372 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39373 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39374
39375
39376 @node struct stat
39377 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39378 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39379
39380 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39381 is defined as follows:
39382
39383 @smallexample
39384 struct stat @{
39385 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39386 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39387 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39388 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39389 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39390 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39391 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39392 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39393 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39394 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39395 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39396 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39397 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39398 @};
39399 @end smallexample
39400
39401 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39402 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39403 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39404
39405 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39406 range of values.
39407
39408 @table @code
39409
39410 @item st_dev
39411 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39412
39413 @item st_ino
39414 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39415
39416 @item st_mode
39417 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39418 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39419
39420 @item st_uid
39421 @itemx st_gid
39422 @itemx st_rdev
39423 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39424
39425 @item st_atime
39426 @itemx st_mtime
39427 @itemx st_ctime
39428 These values have a host and file system dependent
39429 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39430 support exact timing values.
39431 @end table
39432
39433 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39434 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39435 continuing.
39436
39437 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39438 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39439 get truncated on the target.
39440
39441 @node struct timeval
39442 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39443 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39444
39445 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39446 is defined as follows:
39447
39448 @smallexample
39449 struct timeval @{
39450 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39451 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39452 @};
39453 @end smallexample
39454
39455 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39456 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39457 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39458
39459 @node Constants
39460 @subsection Constants
39461 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39462
39463 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39464 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39465 values before and after the call as needed.
39466
39467 @menu
39468 * Open Flags::
39469 * mode_t Values::
39470 * Errno Values::
39471 * Lseek Flags::
39472 * Limits::
39473 @end menu
39474
39475 @node Open Flags
39476 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39477 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39478
39479 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39480
39481 @smallexample
39482 O_RDONLY 0x0
39483 O_WRONLY 0x1
39484 O_RDWR 0x2
39485 O_APPEND 0x8
39486 O_CREAT 0x200
39487 O_TRUNC 0x400
39488 O_EXCL 0x800
39489 @end smallexample
39490
39491 @node mode_t Values
39492 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39493 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39494
39495 All values are given in octal representation.
39496
39497 @smallexample
39498 S_IFREG 0100000
39499 S_IFDIR 040000
39500 S_IRUSR 0400
39501 S_IWUSR 0200
39502 S_IXUSR 0100
39503 S_IRGRP 040
39504 S_IWGRP 020
39505 S_IXGRP 010
39506 S_IROTH 04
39507 S_IWOTH 02
39508 S_IXOTH 01
39509 @end smallexample
39510
39511 @node Errno Values
39512 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39513 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39514
39515 All values are given in decimal representation.
39516
39517 @smallexample
39518 EPERM 1
39519 ENOENT 2
39520 EINTR 4
39521 EBADF 9
39522 EACCES 13
39523 EFAULT 14
39524 EBUSY 16
39525 EEXIST 17
39526 ENODEV 19
39527 ENOTDIR 20
39528 EISDIR 21
39529 EINVAL 22
39530 ENFILE 23
39531 EMFILE 24
39532 EFBIG 27
39533 ENOSPC 28
39534 ESPIPE 29
39535 EROFS 30
39536 ENAMETOOLONG 91
39537 EUNKNOWN 9999
39538 @end smallexample
39539
39540 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39541 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39542
39543 @node Lseek Flags
39544 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39545 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39546
39547 @smallexample
39548 SEEK_SET 0
39549 SEEK_CUR 1
39550 SEEK_END 2
39551 @end smallexample
39552
39553 @node Limits
39554 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39555 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39556
39557 All values are given in decimal representation.
39558
39559 @smallexample
39560 INT_MIN -2147483648
39561 INT_MAX 2147483647
39562 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39563 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39564 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39565 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39566 @end smallexample
39567
39568 @node File-I/O Examples
39569 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39570 @cindex file-i/o examples
39571
39572 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39573 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39574
39575 @smallexample
39576 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39577 @emph{request memory read from target}
39578 -> @code{m1234,6}
39579 <- XXXXXX
39580 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39581 -> @code{F6}
39582 @end smallexample
39583
39584 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39585 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39586
39587 @smallexample
39588 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39589 @emph{request memory write to target}
39590 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39591 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39592 -> @code{F6}
39593 @end smallexample
39594
39595 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39596 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39597
39598 @smallexample
39599 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39600 -> @code{F-1,9}
39601 @end smallexample
39602
39603 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
39604 host is called:
39605
39606 @smallexample
39607 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39608 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
39609 <- @code{T02}
39610 @end smallexample
39611
39612 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
39613 host is called:
39614
39615 @smallexample
39616 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39617 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39618 <- @code{T02}
39619 @end smallexample
39620
39621 @node Library List Format
39622 @section Library List Format
39623 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39624
39625 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
39626 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
39627 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
39628 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
39629 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
39630 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
39631 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39632 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
39633 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
39634 are loaded.
39635
39636 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
39637 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
39638 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
39639 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
39640
39641 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
39642 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
39643 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
39644 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
39645 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
39646 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
39647
39648 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39649 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39650
39651 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
39652 offset, looks like this:
39653
39654 @smallexample
39655 <library-list>
39656 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
39657 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
39658 </library>
39659 </library-list>
39660 @end smallexample
39661
39662 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
39663 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
39664
39665 @smallexample
39666 <library-list>
39667 <library name="sharedlib.o">
39668 <section address="0x10000000"/>
39669 <section address="0x20000000"/>
39670 <section address="0x30000000"/>
39671 </library>
39672 </library-list>
39673 @end smallexample
39674
39675 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
39676
39677 @smallexample
39678 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
39679 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
39680 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39681 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
39682 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39683 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
39684 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39685 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
39686 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39687 @end smallexample
39688
39689 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
39690 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
39691 section for each library.
39692
39693 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39694 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39695 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39696
39697 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
39698 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
39699 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
39700 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
39701
39702 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
39703 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
39704 target, the following parameters are reported:
39705
39706 @itemize @minus
39707 @item
39708 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
39709 @code{struct link_map}.
39710 @item
39711 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
39712 (Thread Local Storage) access.
39713 @item
39714 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
39715 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
39716 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
39717 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
39718 @item
39719 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
39720 @end itemize
39721
39722 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
39723 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
39724 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
39725
39726 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39727 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39728
39729 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
39730 looks like this:
39731
39732 @smallexample
39733 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
39734 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
39735 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
39736 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
39737 l_ld="0x152350"/>
39738 </library-list-svr>
39739 @end smallexample
39740
39741 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
39742
39743 @smallexample
39744 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
39745 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
39746 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39747 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
39748 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
39749 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39750 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
39751 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
39752 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
39753 @end smallexample
39754
39755 @node Memory Map Format
39756 @section Memory Map Format
39757 @cindex memory map format
39758
39759 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
39760 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
39761 memory map.
39762
39763 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39764 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
39765 lists memory regions.
39766
39767 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39768 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
39769
39770 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39771
39772 @smallexample
39773 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39774 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
39775 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39776 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
39777 <memory-map>
39778 region...
39779 </memory-map>
39780 @end smallexample
39781
39782 Each region can be either:
39783
39784 @itemize
39785
39786 @item
39787 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
39788 bytes from there:
39789
39790 @smallexample
39791 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39792 @end smallexample
39793
39794
39795 @item
39796 A region of read-only memory:
39797
39798 @smallexample
39799 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39800 @end smallexample
39801
39802
39803 @item
39804 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
39805 bytes in length:
39806
39807 @smallexample
39808 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
39809 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
39810 </memory>
39811 @end smallexample
39812
39813 @end itemize
39814
39815 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
39816 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
39817 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
39818
39819 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
39820
39821 @smallexample
39822 <!-- ................................................... -->
39823 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
39824 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
39825 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
39826 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
39827 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
39828 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
39829 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
39830 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
39831 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
39832 and its type, or device. -->
39833 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
39834 start CDATA #REQUIRED
39835 length CDATA #REQUIRED
39836 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
39837 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
39838 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
39839 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39840 @end smallexample
39841
39842 @node Thread List Format
39843 @section Thread List Format
39844 @cindex thread list format
39845
39846 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
39847 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39848 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
39849 the following structure:
39850
39851 @smallexample
39852 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39853 <threads>
39854 <thread id="id" core="0" name="name">
39855 ... description ...
39856 </thread>
39857 </threads>
39858 @end smallexample
39859
39860 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
39861 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
39862 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
39863 the thread was last executing on. The @samp{name} attribute, if
39864 present, specifies the human-readable name of the thread. The content
39865 of the of @samp{thread} element is interpreted as human-readable
39866 auxiliary information.
39867
39868 @node Traceframe Info Format
39869 @section Traceframe Info Format
39870 @cindex traceframe info format
39871
39872 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
39873 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
39874 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
39875 collected in a traceframe.
39876
39877 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39878 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
39879
39880 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39881 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39882
39883 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39884
39885 @smallexample
39886 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39887 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
39888 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39889 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
39890 <traceframe-info>
39891 block...
39892 </traceframe-info>
39893 @end smallexample
39894
39895 Each traceframe block can be either:
39896
39897 @itemize
39898
39899 @item
39900 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
39901 @var{length} bytes from there:
39902
39903 @smallexample
39904 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39905 @end smallexample
39906
39907 @item
39908 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
39909 collected:
39910
39911 @smallexample
39912 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
39913 @end smallexample
39914
39915 @end itemize
39916
39917 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
39918
39919 @smallexample
39920 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
39921 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39922
39923 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
39924 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
39925 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
39926 <!ELEMENT tvar>
39927 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
39928 @end smallexample
39929
39930 @node Branch Trace Format
39931 @section Branch Trace Format
39932 @cindex branch trace format
39933
39934 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
39935 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
39936 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
39937 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
39938
39939 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
39940 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
39941
39942 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39943 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39944
39945 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39946
39947 @smallexample
39948 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39949 <!DOCTYPE btrace
39950 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
39951 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
39952 <btrace>
39953 block...
39954 </btrace>
39955 @end smallexample
39956
39957 @itemize
39958
39959 @item
39960 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
39961 and ending at @var{end}:
39962
39963 @smallexample
39964 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
39965 @end smallexample
39966
39967 @end itemize
39968
39969 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
39970
39971 @smallexample
39972 <!ELEMENT btrace (block* | pt) >
39973 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39974
39975 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
39976 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
39977 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
39978
39979 <!ELEMENT pt (pt-config?, raw?)>
39980
39981 <!ELEMENT pt-config (cpu?)>
39982
39983 <!ELEMENT cpu EMPTY>
39984 <!ATTLIST cpu vendor CDATA #REQUIRED
39985 family CDATA #REQUIRED
39986 model CDATA #REQUIRED
39987 stepping CDATA #REQUIRED>
39988
39989 <!ELEMENT raw (#PCDATA)>
39990 @end smallexample
39991
39992 @node Branch Trace Configuration Format
39993 @section Branch Trace Configuration Format
39994 @cindex branch trace configuration format
39995
39996 For each inferior thread, @value{GDBN} can obtain the branch trace
39997 configuration using the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
39998 (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}) packet.
39999
40000 The configuration describes the branch trace format and configuration
40001 settings for that format. The following information is described:
40002
40003 @table @code
40004 @item bts
40005 This thread uses the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) format.
40006 @table @code
40007 @item size
40008 The size of the @acronym{BTS} ring buffer in bytes.
40009 @end table
40010 @item pt
40011 This thread uses the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} (@acronym{Intel
40012 PT}) format.
40013 @table @code
40014 @item size
40015 The size of the @acronym{Intel PT} ring buffer in bytes.
40016 @end table
40017 @end table
40018
40019 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40020 branch trace configuration discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40021
40022 The formal DTD for the branch trace configuration format is given below:
40023
40024 @smallexample
40025 <!ELEMENT btrace-conf (bts?, pt?)>
40026 <!ATTLIST btrace-conf version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40027
40028 <!ELEMENT bts EMPTY>
40029 <!ATTLIST bts size CDATA #IMPLIED>
40030
40031 <!ELEMENT pt EMPTY>
40032 <!ATTLIST pt size CDATA #IMPLIED>
40033 @end smallexample
40034
40035 @include agentexpr.texi
40036
40037 @node Target Descriptions
40038 @appendix Target Descriptions
40039 @cindex target descriptions
40040
40041 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
40042 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
40043 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
40044 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
40045 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
40046 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
40047 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
40048
40049 @itemize @bullet
40050 @item
40051 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
40052 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
40053 @item
40054 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
40055 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
40056 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
40057 @item
40058 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
40059 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
40060 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
40061 @end itemize
40062
40063 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
40064 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
40065 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
40066 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
40067 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
40068
40069 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40070 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
40071
40072 @menu
40073 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
40074 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
40075 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
40076 descriptions.
40077 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
40078 @end menu
40079
40080 @node Retrieving Descriptions
40081 @section Retrieving Descriptions
40082
40083 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
40084 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
40085 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
40086 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
40087 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
40088 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
40089 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
40090 Format}.
40091
40092 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
40093 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
40094 specify a file are:
40095
40096 @table @code
40097 @cindex set tdesc filename
40098 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
40099 Read the target description from @var{path}.
40100
40101 @cindex unset tdesc filename
40102 @item unset tdesc filename
40103 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
40104 will use the description supplied by the current target.
40105
40106 @cindex show tdesc filename
40107 @item show tdesc filename
40108 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
40109 @end table
40110
40111
40112 @node Target Description Format
40113 @section Target Description Format
40114 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
40115
40116 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
40117 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
40118 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
40119 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
40120 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
40121 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
40122 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
40123
40124 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
40125 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
40126 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
40127 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
40128 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
40129
40130 Here is a simple target description:
40131
40132 @smallexample
40133 <target version="1.0">
40134 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
40135 </target>
40136 @end smallexample
40137
40138 @noindent
40139 This minimal description only says that the target uses
40140 the x86-64 architecture.
40141
40142 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
40143 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
40144 are explained further below.
40145
40146 @smallexample
40147 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40148 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
40149 <target version="1.0">
40150 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
40151 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
40152 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
40153 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
40154 </target>
40155 @end smallexample
40156
40157 @noindent
40158 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
40159 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
40160 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
40161 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
40162 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
40163 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
40164 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
40165 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
40166 the version mismatch.
40167
40168 @subsection Inclusion
40169 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
40170 @cindex XInclude
40171 @ifnotinfo
40172 @cindex <xi:include>
40173 @end ifnotinfo
40174
40175 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
40176 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
40177 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
40178 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
40179 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
40180
40181 @smallexample
40182 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
40183 @end smallexample
40184
40185 @noindent
40186 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
40187 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
40188 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
40189 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
40190 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
40191 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
40192 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
40193 original description.
40194
40195 @subsection Architecture
40196 @cindex <architecture>
40197
40198 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
40199
40200 @smallexample
40201 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
40202 @end smallexample
40203
40204 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40205 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40206
40207 @subsection OS ABI
40208 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
40209
40210 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40211 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40212
40213 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
40214
40215 @smallexample
40216 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
40217 @end smallexample
40218
40219 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
40220 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
40221
40222 @subsection Compatible Architecture
40223 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
40224
40225 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40226 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40227
40228 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
40229
40230 @smallexample
40231 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
40232 @end smallexample
40233
40234 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40235 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40236
40237 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
40238 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
40239 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
40240 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
40241 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
40242 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
40243 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
40244
40245 @smallexample
40246 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
40247 <compatible>spu</compatible>
40248 @end smallexample
40249
40250 @subsection Features
40251 @cindex <feature>
40252
40253 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
40254 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
40255 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
40256 has this form:
40257
40258 @smallexample
40259 <feature name="@var{name}">
40260 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
40261 @var{reg}@dots{}
40262 </feature>
40263 @end smallexample
40264
40265 @noindent
40266 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
40267 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
40268 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
40269 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
40270
40271 @subsection Types
40272
40273 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
40274 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
40275 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
40276 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
40277 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
40278
40279 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
40280 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
40281 Types must be defined before they are used.
40282
40283 @cindex <vector>
40284 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
40285 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
40286 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
40287 @var{count}:
40288
40289 @smallexample
40290 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
40291 @end smallexample
40292
40293 @cindex <union>
40294 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
40295 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
40296 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
40297 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
40298
40299 @smallexample
40300 <union id="@var{id}">
40301 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40302 @dots{}
40303 </union>
40304 @end smallexample
40305
40306 @cindex <struct>
40307 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
40308 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
40309 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
40310 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
40311 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
40312 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
40313 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
40314 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
40315
40316 @smallexample
40317 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40318 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40319 @dots{}
40320 </struct>
40321 @end smallexample
40322
40323 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
40324 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
40325
40326 @smallexample
40327 <struct id="@var{id}">
40328 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40329 @dots{}
40330 </struct>
40331 @end smallexample
40332
40333 @cindex <flags>
40334 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
40335 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
40336 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
40337 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
40338 are supported.
40339
40340 @smallexample
40341 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40342 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40343 @dots{}
40344 </flags>
40345 @end smallexample
40346
40347 @subsection Registers
40348 @cindex <reg>
40349
40350 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
40351
40352 @smallexample
40353 <reg name="@var{name}"
40354 bitsize="@var{size}"
40355 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
40356 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
40357 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
40358 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
40359 @end smallexample
40360
40361 @noindent
40362 The components are as follows:
40363
40364 @table @var
40365
40366 @item name
40367 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
40368
40369 @item bitsize
40370 The register's size, in bits.
40371
40372 @item regnum
40373 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
40374 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
40375 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
40376 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
40377 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
40378 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
40379 in order of increasing register number.
40380
40381 @item save-restore
40382 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
40383 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
40384 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
40385 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
40386 ABI.
40387
40388 @item type
40389 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
40390 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
40391 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
40392 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
40393 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
40394 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
40395
40396 @item group
40397 The register group to which this register belongs. It must
40398 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40399 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40400 in @code{info registers}.
40401
40402 @end table
40403
40404 @node Predefined Target Types
40405 @section Predefined Target Types
40406 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40407
40408 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40409 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40410 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40411 types. The currently supported types are:
40412
40413 @table @code
40414
40415 @item int8
40416 @itemx int16
40417 @itemx int32
40418 @itemx int64
40419 @itemx int128
40420 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40421
40422 @item uint8
40423 @itemx uint16
40424 @itemx uint32
40425 @itemx uint64
40426 @itemx uint128
40427 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40428
40429 @item code_ptr
40430 @itemx data_ptr
40431 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40432 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40433 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40434 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40435 may be marked as data pointers.
40436
40437 @item ieee_single
40438 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40439
40440 @item ieee_double
40441 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40442
40443 @item arm_fpa_ext
40444 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40445
40446 @item i387_ext
40447 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40448
40449 @item i386_eflags
40450 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40451
40452 @item i386_mxcsr
40453 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40454
40455 @end table
40456
40457 @node Standard Target Features
40458 @section Standard Target Features
40459 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40460
40461 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40462 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40463 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40464 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40465 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40466 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40467 can recognize them.
40468
40469 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40470 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40471 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40472 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40473 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40474 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40475 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40476 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40477
40478 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40479 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40480 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40481
40482 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40483 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40484 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40485 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40486
40487 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40488 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40489 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40490
40491 @menu
40492 * AArch64 Features::
40493 * ARM Features::
40494 * i386 Features::
40495 * MicroBlaze Features::
40496 * MIPS Features::
40497 * M68K Features::
40498 * Nios II Features::
40499 * PowerPC Features::
40500 * S/390 and System z Features::
40501 * TIC6x Features::
40502 @end menu
40503
40504
40505 @node AArch64 Features
40506 @subsection AArch64 Features
40507 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
40508
40509 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
40510 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
40511 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40512
40513 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
40514 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
40515 and @samp{fpcr}.
40516
40517 @node ARM Features
40518 @subsection ARM Features
40519 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40520
40521 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40522 ARM targets.
40523 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40524 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40525
40526 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40527 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40528 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40529 and @samp{xpsr}.
40530
40531 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40532 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40533
40534 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40535 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40536 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40537 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40538
40539 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40540 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40541 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40542 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40543 halves of the double-precision registers.
40544
40545 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40546 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40547 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40548 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40549 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40550 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40551
40552 @node i386 Features
40553 @subsection i386 Features
40554 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40555
40556 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40557 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40558
40559 @itemize @minus
40560 @item
40561 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40562 @item
40563 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40564 @item
40565 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40566 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40567 @item
40568 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40569 @item
40570 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40571 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40572 @end itemize
40573
40574 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40575
40576 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40577 describe registers:
40578
40579 @itemize @minus
40580 @item
40581 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40582 @item
40583 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40584 @item
40585 @samp{mxcsr}
40586 @end itemize
40587
40588 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40589 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40590 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40591
40592 @itemize @minus
40593 @item
40594 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40595 @item
40596 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40597 @end itemize
40598
40599 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel
40600 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
40601
40602 @itemize @minus
40603 @item
40604 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
40605 @item
40606 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
40607 @end itemize
40608
40609 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40610 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40611
40612 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
40613 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
40614 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
40615
40616 @itemize @minus
40617 @item
40618 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
40619 @end itemize
40620
40621 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
40622
40623 @itemize @minus
40624 @item
40625 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
40626 @end itemize
40627
40628 It should
40629 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
40630
40631 @itemize @minus
40632 @item
40633 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
40634 @item
40635 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
40636 @end itemize
40637
40638 It should
40639 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
40640
40641 @itemize @minus
40642 @item
40643 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
40644 @end itemize
40645
40646 @node MicroBlaze Features
40647 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
40648 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
40649
40650 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
40651 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40652 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
40653 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
40654 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
40655
40656 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
40657 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
40658
40659 @node MIPS Features
40660 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40661 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40662
40663 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40664 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40665 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40666 on the target.
40667
40668 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40669 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40670 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40671
40672 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40673 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40674 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40675 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40676
40677 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40678 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40679 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40680 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40681
40682 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40683 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40684 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40685
40686 @node M68K Features
40687 @subsection M68K Features
40688 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40689
40690 @table @code
40691 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40692 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40693 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40694 One of those features must be always present.
40695 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40696 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40697 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40698 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40699
40700 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40701 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40702 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40703 @samp{fpiaddr}.
40704 @end table
40705
40706 @node Nios II Features
40707 @subsection Nios II Features
40708 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
40709
40710 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
40711 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
40712 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
40713 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
40714 @samp{mpuacc}).
40715
40716 @node PowerPC Features
40717 @subsection PowerPC Features
40718 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40719
40720 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40721 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40722 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40723 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40724
40725 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40726 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40727
40728 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40729 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40730 and @samp{vrsave}.
40731
40732 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40733 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40734 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40735 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40736 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40737 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40738
40739 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40740 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40741 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40742 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40743 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40744 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40745 user.
40746
40747 @node S/390 and System z Features
40748 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
40749 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
40750 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
40751
40752 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
40753 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
40754 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
40755 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
40756 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
40757 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
40758 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
40759 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
40760 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
40761
40762 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
40763 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
40764 @samp{fpc}.
40765
40766 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
40767 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
40768
40769 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
40770 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
40771 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
40772 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
40773 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
40774 32-bit wide.
40775
40776 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
40777 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
40778 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
40779
40780 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.vx} feature is optional. It should contain
40781 64-bit wide registers @samp{v0l} through @samp{v15l}, which will be
40782 combined by @value{GDBN} with the floating point registers @samp{f0}
40783 through @samp{f15} to present the 128-bit wide vector registers
40784 @samp{v0} through @samp{v15}. In addition, this feature should
40785 contain the 128-bit wide vector registers @samp{v16} through
40786 @samp{v31}.
40787
40788 @node TIC6x Features
40789 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40790 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40791 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40792 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40793 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40794 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40795
40796 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40797 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40798 through @samp{B31}.
40799
40800 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40801 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40802
40803 @node Operating System Information
40804 @appendix Operating System Information
40805 @cindex operating system information
40806
40807 @menu
40808 * Process list::
40809 @end menu
40810
40811 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40812 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40813 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40814 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40815 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40816 on a different aspect of target.
40817
40818 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40819 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40820 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40821 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40822
40823 @node Process list
40824 @appendixsection Process list
40825 @cindex operating system information, process list
40826
40827 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40828 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40829 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40830 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40831
40832 An example document is:
40833
40834 @smallexample
40835 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40836 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40837 <osdata type="processes">
40838 <item>
40839 <column name="pid">1</column>
40840 <column name="user">root</column>
40841 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40842 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
40843 </item>
40844 </osdata>
40845 @end smallexample
40846
40847 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
40848 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
40849 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
40850 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
40851 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
40852 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
40853 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
40854
40855 @node Trace File Format
40856 @appendix Trace File Format
40857 @cindex trace file format
40858
40859 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
40860 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
40861
40862 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
40863 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
40864 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
40865 in the future.
40866
40867 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
40868 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
40869 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
40870 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
40871 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
40872 of this section.
40873
40874 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
40875
40876 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
40877 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
40878 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
40879 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
40880 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
40881 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
40882 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
40883 endianness.
40884
40885 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
40886
40887 @table @code
40888 @item R @var{bytes}
40889 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
40890 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
40891 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
40892 hexadecimal encoding.
40893
40894 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
40895 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
40896 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
40897 @var{length} bytes.
40898
40899 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
40900 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
40901 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
40902
40903 @end table
40904
40905 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
40906 of blocks.
40907
40908 @node Index Section Format
40909 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
40910 @cindex .gdb_index section format
40911 @cindex index section format
40912
40913 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
40914 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
40915 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
40916 description.
40917
40918 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
40919 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
40920 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
40921 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
40922 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
40923 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
40924
40925 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
40926
40927 @enumerate
40928 @item
40929 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
40930 unless otherwise noted:
40931
40932 @enumerate
40933 @item
40934 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
40935 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
40936 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
40937 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
40938 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
40939 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
40940 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
40941
40942 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
40943 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
40944 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
40945 currently not flagged as deprecated.
40946
40947 @item
40948 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
40949
40950 @item
40951 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
40952 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
40953 to the next offset.
40954
40955 @item
40956 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
40957
40958 @item
40959 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
40960
40961 @item
40962 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
40963 @end enumerate
40964
40965 @item
40966 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
40967 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
40968 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
40969 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
40970 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
40971 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
40972 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
40973 CU indices.
40974
40975 @item
40976 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
40977 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
40978 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
40979 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
40980
40981 @item
40982 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
40983 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
40984
40985 @enumerate
40986 @item
40987 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
40988
40989 @item
40990 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
40991 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
40992
40993 @item
40994 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
40995 @end enumerate
40996
40997 @item
40998 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
40999 the hash table is always a power of 2.
41000
41001 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
41002 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
41003 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
41004 constant pool.
41005
41006 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
41007 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
41008 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
41009
41010 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
41011 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
41012 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
41013 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
41014 index version:
41015
41016 @table @asis
41017 @item Version 4
41018 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
41019
41020 @item Versions 5 to 7
41021 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
41022 @end table
41023
41024 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
41025
41026 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
41027 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
41028 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
41029 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
41030 collision.
41031
41032 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
41033 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
41034 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
41035 the code.
41036
41037 @item
41038 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
41039 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
41040 strings.
41041
41042 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
41043 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
41044 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
41045 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
41046 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
41047 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
41048
41049 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
41050 @end enumerate
41051
41052 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
41053 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
41054 CU index+attributes value for each use.
41055
41056 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
41057 (bit 0 = LSB):
41058
41059 @table @asis
41060
41061 @item Bits 0-23
41062 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
41063 @item Bits 24-27
41064 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
41065 @item Bits 28-30
41066 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
41067
41068 @table @asis
41069 @item 0
41070 This value is reserved and should not be used.
41071 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
41072 with previous versions of the index.
41073 @item 1
41074 The symbol is a type.
41075 @item 2
41076 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
41077 @item 3
41078 The symbol is a function.
41079 @item 4
41080 Any other kind of symbol.
41081 @item 5,6,7
41082 These values are reserved.
41083 @end table
41084
41085 @item Bit 31
41086 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
41087
41088 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
41089 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
41090 @value{GDBN} sources.
41091
41092 @end table
41093
41094 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
41095 global/static attributes in the index.
41096
41097 @smallexample
41098 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
41099 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
41100 switch (die->tag)
41101 @{
41102 case DW_TAG_typedef:
41103 case DW_TAG_base_type:
41104 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
41105 kind = TYPE;
41106 is_static = 1;
41107 break;
41108 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
41109 kind = VARIABLE;
41110 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41111 break;
41112 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
41113 kind = FUNCTION;
41114 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
41115 break;
41116 case DW_TAG_constant:
41117 kind = VARIABLE;
41118 is_static = ! is_external;
41119 break;
41120 case DW_TAG_variable:
41121 kind = VARIABLE;
41122 is_static = ! is_external;
41123 break;
41124 case DW_TAG_namespace:
41125 kind = TYPE;
41126 is_static = 0;
41127 break;
41128 case DW_TAG_class_type:
41129 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
41130 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
41131 case DW_TAG_union_type:
41132 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
41133 kind = TYPE;
41134 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41135 break;
41136 default:
41137 assert (0);
41138 @}
41139 @end smallexample
41140
41141 @node Man Pages
41142 @appendix Manual pages
41143 @cindex Man pages
41144
41145 @menu
41146 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
41147 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
41148 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
41149 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
41150 @end menu
41151
41152 @node gdb man
41153 @heading gdb man
41154
41155 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
41156
41157 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
41158 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
41159 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
41160 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
41161 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
41162 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
41163 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
41164 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
41165 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
41166 @c man end
41167
41168 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
41169 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
41170 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
41171 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
41172
41173 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
41174 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
41175
41176 @itemize @bullet
41177 @item
41178 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
41179
41180 @item
41181 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
41182
41183 @item
41184 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
41185
41186 @item
41187 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
41188 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
41189 @end itemize
41190
41191 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
41192 Modula-2.
41193
41194 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
41195 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
41196 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
41197 by using the command @code{help}.
41198
41199 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
41200 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
41201 executable program as the argument:
41202
41203 @smallexample
41204 gdb program
41205 @end smallexample
41206
41207 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
41208
41209 @smallexample
41210 gdb program core
41211 @end smallexample
41212
41213 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
41214 to debug a running process:
41215
41216 @smallexample
41217 gdb program 1234
41218 gdb -p 1234
41219 @end smallexample
41220
41221 @noindent
41222 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
41223 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
41224 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
41225
41226 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
41227
41228 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
41229 @table @env
41230 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
41231 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
41232
41233 @item run [@var{arglist}]
41234 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
41235
41236 @item bt
41237 Backtrace: display the program stack.
41238
41239 @item print @var{expr}
41240 Display the value of an expression.
41241
41242 @item c
41243 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
41244
41245 @item next
41246 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
41247 function calls in the line.
41248
41249 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41250 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
41251
41252 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41253 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
41254
41255 @item step
41256 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
41257 function calls in the line.
41258
41259 @item help [@var{name}]
41260 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
41261 about using @value{GDBN}.
41262
41263 @item quit
41264 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
41265 @end table
41266
41267 @ifset man
41268 For full details on @value{GDBN},
41269 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41270 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
41271 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
41272 @end ifset
41273 @c man end
41274
41275 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
41276 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
41277 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
41278 encountered with no
41279 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
41280 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
41281 Many options have
41282 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
41283 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
41284 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
41285 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
41286 more usual convention.)
41287
41288 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
41289 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
41290 option is used.
41291
41292 @table @env
41293 @item -help
41294 @itemx -h
41295 List all options, with brief explanations.
41296
41297 @item -symbols=@var{file}
41298 @itemx -s @var{file}
41299 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
41300
41301 @item -write
41302 Enable writing into executable and core files.
41303
41304 @item -exec=@var{file}
41305 @itemx -e @var{file}
41306 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
41307 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
41308 dump.
41309
41310 @item -se=@var{file}
41311 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
41312 file.
41313
41314 @item -core=@var{file}
41315 @itemx -c @var{file}
41316 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
41317
41318 @item -command=@var{file}
41319 @itemx -x @var{file}
41320 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
41321
41322 @item -ex @var{command}
41323 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
41324
41325 @item -directory=@var{directory}
41326 @itemx -d @var{directory}
41327 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
41328
41329 @item -nh
41330 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
41331
41332 @item -nx
41333 @itemx -n
41334 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
41335
41336 @item -quiet
41337 @itemx -q
41338 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
41339 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
41340
41341 @item -batch
41342 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
41343 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
41344 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
41345 commands in the command files.
41346
41347 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
41348 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
41349 more useful, the message
41350
41351 @smallexample
41352 Program exited normally.
41353 @end smallexample
41354
41355 @noindent
41356 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
41357 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
41358
41359 @item -cd=@var{directory}
41360 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
41361 instead of the current directory.
41362
41363 @item -fullname
41364 @itemx -f
41365 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
41366 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
41367 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
41368 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
41369 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
41370 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
41371 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
41372 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
41373
41374 @item -b @var{bps}
41375 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
41376 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
41377
41378 @item -tty=@var{device}
41379 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
41380 @end table
41381 @c man end
41382
41383 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
41384 @ifset man
41385 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41386 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41387 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41388
41389 @smallexample
41390 info gdb
41391 @end smallexample
41392
41393 @noindent
41394 should give you access to the complete manual.
41395
41396 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41397 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41398 @end ifset
41399 @c man end
41400
41401 @node gdbserver man
41402 @heading gdbserver man
41403
41404 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
41405 @format
41406 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
41407 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
41408
41409 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41410
41411 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41412 @c man end
41413 @end format
41414
41415 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
41416 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
41417 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
41418
41419 @ifclear man
41420 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
41421 @end ifclear
41422 @ifset man
41423 Usage (server (target) side):
41424 @end ifset
41425
41426 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
41427 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
41428 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
41429 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
41430
41431 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
41432 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
41433 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
41434
41435 @smallexample
41436 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
41437 @end smallexample
41438
41439 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
41440
41441 @smallexample
41442 @ifset man
41443 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
41444 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
41445 @end ifset
41446 @ifclear man
41447 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
41448 @end ifclear
41449 @end smallexample
41450
41451 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
41452 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
41453 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
41454
41455 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
41456
41457 @smallexample
41458 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
41459 @end smallexample
41460
41461 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
41462 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
41463 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
41464 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
41465 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
41466 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
41467 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
41468 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
41469 print an error message and exit.
41470
41471 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
41472 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
41473
41474 @smallexample
41475 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41476 @end smallexample
41477
41478 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
41479 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
41480
41481 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
41482 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
41483 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
41484 the program you want to debug.
41485
41486 @smallexample
41487 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41488 @end smallexample
41489
41490 @ifclear man
41491 @subheading Usage (host side)
41492 @end ifclear
41493 @ifset man
41494 Usage (host side):
41495 @end ifset
41496
41497 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
41498 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
41499 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
41500 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
41501 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
41502 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
41503 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
41504 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
41505 descriptor. For example:
41506
41507 @smallexample
41508 @ifset man
41509 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
41510 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
41511 @end ifset
41512 @ifclear man
41513 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
41514 @end ifclear
41515 @end smallexample
41516
41517 @noindent
41518 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
41519
41520 @smallexample
41521 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
41522 @end smallexample
41523
41524 @noindent
41525 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
41526 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
41527 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
41528 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
41529 `Connection refused'.
41530
41531 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
41532 described in
41533 @ifset man
41534 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
41535 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
41536 @end ifset
41537 @ifclear man
41538 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
41539 @end ifclear
41540 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
41541
41542 @smallexample
41543 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
41544 @end smallexample
41545
41546 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
41547 case.
41548 @c man end
41549
41550 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
41551 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
41552
41553 @itemize @bullet
41554
41555 @item
41556 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
41557
41558 @smallexample
41559 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
41560 @end smallexample
41561
41562 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
41563 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
41564 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
41565 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
41566 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
41567 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
41568 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
41569
41570 @item
41571 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
41572 program:
41573
41574 @smallexample
41575 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41576 @end smallexample
41577
41578 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
41579 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
41580 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
41581 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
41582
41583 @item
41584 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
41585
41586 @smallexample
41587 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41588 @end smallexample
41589
41590 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
41591 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
41592 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
41593 debug several processes in the same session.
41594 @end itemize
41595
41596 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
41597
41598 @table @env
41599
41600 @item --help
41601 List all options, with brief explanations.
41602
41603 @item --version
41604 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
41605
41606 @item --attach
41607 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
41608
41609 @smallexample
41610 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41611 @end smallexample
41612
41613 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
41614 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
41615
41616 @item --multi
41617 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
41618 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
41619 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
41620 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
41621
41622 @smallexample
41623 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41624 @end smallexample
41625
41626 @item --debug
41627 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
41628 process.
41629 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
41630 the developers.
41631
41632 @item --remote-debug
41633 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
41634 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
41635 the developers.
41636
41637 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
41638 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
41639 of debugging output.
41640 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
41641
41642 @item --wrapper
41643 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
41644 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
41645 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
41646 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
41647
41648 @item --once
41649 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
41650 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
41651 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
41652 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
41653
41654 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
41655
41656 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
41657 @c QDisableRandomization.
41658
41659 @end table
41660 @c man end
41661
41662 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
41663 @ifset man
41664 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41665 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41666 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41667
41668 @smallexample
41669 info gdb
41670 @end smallexample
41671
41672 should give you access to the complete manual.
41673
41674 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41675 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41676 @end ifset
41677 @c man end
41678
41679 @node gcore man
41680 @heading gcore
41681
41682 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
41683
41684 @format
41685 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
41686 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
41687 @c man end
41688 @end format
41689
41690 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
41691 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
41692 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
41693 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
41694 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
41695 running without any change.
41696 @c man end
41697
41698 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
41699 @table @env
41700 @item -o @var{filename}
41701 The optional argument
41702 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
41703 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
41704 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
41705 @end table
41706 @c man end
41707
41708 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
41709 @ifset man
41710 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41711 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41712 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41713
41714 @smallexample
41715 info gdb
41716 @end smallexample
41717
41718 @noindent
41719 should give you access to the complete manual.
41720
41721 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41722 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41723 @end ifset
41724 @c man end
41725
41726 @node gdbinit man
41727 @heading gdbinit
41728
41729 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
41730
41731 @format
41732 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
41733 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
41734 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
41735 @end ifset
41736
41737 ~/.gdbinit
41738
41739 ./.gdbinit
41740 @c man end
41741 @end format
41742
41743 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
41744 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
41745 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
41746 described in
41747 @ifset man
41748 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
41749 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
41750 @end ifset
41751 @ifclear man
41752 @ref{Sequences}.
41753 @end ifclear
41754
41755 Please read more in
41756 @ifset man
41757 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
41758 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
41759 @end ifset
41760 @ifclear man
41761 @ref{Startup}.
41762 @end ifclear
41763
41764 @table @env
41765 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
41766 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
41767 @end ifset
41768 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
41769 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
41770 @end ifclear
41771 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
41772 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
41773 See more in
41774 @ifset man
41775 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
41776 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
41777 @end ifset
41778 @ifclear man
41779 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
41780 @end ifclear
41781
41782 @item ~/.gdbinit
41783 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
41784 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
41785
41786 @item ./.gdbinit
41787 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
41788 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
41789 See more in
41790 @ifset man
41791 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
41792 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
41793 @end ifset
41794 @ifclear man
41795 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
41796 @end ifclear
41797 @end table
41798 @c man end
41799
41800 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
41801 @ifset man
41802 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
41803
41804 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41805 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41806 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41807
41808 @smallexample
41809 info gdb
41810 @end smallexample
41811
41812 should give you access to the complete manual.
41813
41814 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41815 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41816 @end ifset
41817 @c man end
41818
41819 @include gpl.texi
41820
41821 @node GNU Free Documentation License
41822 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
41823 @include fdl.texi
41824
41825 @node Concept Index
41826 @unnumbered Concept Index
41827
41828 @printindex cp
41829
41830 @node Command and Variable Index
41831 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
41832
41833 @printindex fn
41834
41835 @tex
41836 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
41837 % meantime:
41838 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
41839 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
41840 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
41841 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
41842 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
41843 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
41844 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
41845 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
41846 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
41847 \page\colophon
41848 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
41849 @end tex
41850
41851 @bye