1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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.
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
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.
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
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
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
51 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
52 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
187 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
200 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
211 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
214 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
217 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
220 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
224 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
232 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
239 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
249 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
253 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software
261 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262 General Public License
263 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
274 @node Free Documentation
275 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279 include with the free software. Many of our most important
280 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282 when an important free software package does not come with a free
283 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
286 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290 them from the free software world.
292 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296 contract to make it non-free.
298 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
319 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
329 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333 manual to replace it.
335 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340 the free software community.
342 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362 published by other publishers, at
363 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
366 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374 blow-by-blow account.
376 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
379 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
384 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
440 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441 about several machine instruction sets.
443 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446 and RDI targets, respectively.
448 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449 command-line editing and command history.
451 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
458 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
466 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
475 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
515 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
535 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
544 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
546 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
551 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
555 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
558 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
575 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
579 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
581 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
584 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
588 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
591 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
594 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
597 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
600 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
605 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608 that examples fit in this manual.
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
615 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618 @code{break} command.
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
626 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
640 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642 context where it stops.
645 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
647 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
649 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
653 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654 the next line of the current function.
658 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
663 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
670 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
672 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
676 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681 stack frame for each active subroutine.
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
687 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
689 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
692 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
697 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
749 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
779 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
788 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
801 Program exited normally.
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
816 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
820 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
822 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
826 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
833 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
835 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
838 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
841 The command-line options described here are designed
842 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843 options may effectively be unavailable.
845 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846 specifying an executable program:
849 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
853 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
860 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861 to debug a running process:
864 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
868 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
871 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
877 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
881 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
883 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
886 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
894 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
905 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
908 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910 @samp{-x} option is used.
914 * File Options:: Choosing files
915 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
920 @subsection Choosing Files
922 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
936 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938 argument and ignore it.
940 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
946 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
951 @item -symbols @var{file}
953 @cindex @code{--symbols}
955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
957 @item -exec @var{file}
959 @cindex @code{--exec}
961 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
966 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
969 @item -core @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--core}
973 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
975 @item -pid @var{number}
976 @itemx -p @var{number}
979 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
981 @item -command @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--command}
985 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
989 @item -eval-command @var{command}
990 @itemx -ex @var{command}
991 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
993 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
995 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
999 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1003 @item -init-command @var{file}
1004 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1005 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1007 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008 after loading gdbinit files).
1011 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1013 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1015 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016 after loading gdbinit files).
1019 @item -directory @var{directory}
1020 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1021 @cindex @code{--directory}
1023 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1027 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1029 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1036 @subsection Choosing Modes
1038 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039 batch mode or quiet mode.
1047 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1051 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052 This is the system-wide init file.
1053 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056 have been processed.
1057 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in your home directory.
1059 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060 command options have been processed.
1061 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062 This is the init file in the current directory.
1063 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1068 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069 For documentation on how to write command files,
1070 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1075 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076 in your home directory.
1082 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1083 @cindex @code{--silent}
1085 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1089 @cindex @code{--batch}
1090 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1098 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100 make this more useful, the message
1103 Program exited normally.
1107 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1112 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116 for an interactive session.
1118 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119 messages, for example.
1121 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1124 @item -return-child-result
1125 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1131 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1135 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1137 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138 the exit code will be -1.
1141 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1147 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1149 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1155 @cindex @code{--windows}
1157 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1160 @item -cd @var{directory}
1162 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163 instead of the current directory.
1165 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1173 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1175 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1185 @item -annotate @var{level}
1186 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1187 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1196 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1200 @cindex @code{--args}
1201 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203 This option stops option processing.
1205 @item -baud @var{bps}
1207 @cindex @code{--baud}
1209 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1212 @item -l @var{timeout}
1214 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215 for remote debugging.
1217 @item -tty @var{device}
1218 @itemx -t @var{device}
1219 @cindex @code{--tty}
1221 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1224 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1226 @cindex @code{--tui}
1227 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1235 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1241 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1248 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1256 @cindex @code{--write}
1257 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1262 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1263 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1267 @cindex @code{--version}
1268 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1271 @item -configuration
1272 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1273 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1280 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1283 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1287 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1292 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1297 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1299 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1304 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1306 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1313 Processes command line options and operands.
1315 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1317 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320 This is only done if the current directory is
1321 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1327 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1332 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333 you must do something like the following:
1336 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1339 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1348 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1353 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1360 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1363 @cindex init file name
1364 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1375 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1380 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1384 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1392 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396 until a time when it is safe.
1398 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1402 @node Shell Commands
1403 @section Shell Commands
1405 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407 just use the @code{shell} command.
1412 @cindex shell escape
1413 @item shell @var{command-string}
1414 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1415 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1422 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1428 @cindex calling make
1429 @item make @var{make-args}
1430 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1434 @node Logging Output
1435 @section Logging Output
1436 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1439 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1444 @item set logging on
1446 @item set logging off
1448 @cindex logging file name
1449 @item set logging file @var{file}
1450 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457 @kindex show logging
1459 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1463 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1465 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1472 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473 * Completion:: Command completion
1474 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1477 @node Command Syntax
1478 @section Command Syntax
1480 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1487 @cindex abbreviation
1488 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1496 @cindex repeating commands
1497 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1505 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1509 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1515 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1517 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519 Files,,Command Files}).
1521 @cindex repeating command sequences
1522 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1529 @section Command Completion
1532 @cindex word completion
1533 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1538 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541 enter it). For example, if you type
1543 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1548 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1552 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1556 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1560 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1567 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1578 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581 make_abs_section make_function_type
1582 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1589 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1593 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1599 @cindex quotes in commands
1600 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1601 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605 @value{GDBN} commands.
1607 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1620 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1625 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1631 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1637 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1641 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1646 @cindex completion of structure field names
1647 @cindex structure field name completion
1648 @cindex completion of union field names
1649 @cindex union field name completion
1650 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1658 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660 to_data to_isatty to_write
1661 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1666 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1689 @section Getting Help
1690 @cindex online documentation
1693 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694 using the command @code{help}.
1697 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1700 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1705 List of classes of commands:
1707 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709 data -- Examining data
1710 files -- Specifying and examining files
1711 internals -- Maintenance commands
1712 obscure -- Obscure features
1713 running -- Running the program
1714 stack -- Examining the stack
1715 status -- Status inquiries
1716 support -- Support facilities
1717 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1721 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722 commands in that class.
1723 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1725 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1728 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1730 @item help @var{class}
1731 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733 help display for the class @code{status}:
1736 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1741 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743 info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745 show -- Generic command for showing things
1748 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1750 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1754 @item help @var{command}
1755 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1759 @item apropos @var{args}
1760 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1773 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1782 @item complete @var{args}
1783 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785 command you want completed. For example:
1791 @noindent results in:
1802 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1805 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1816 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1818 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823 @w{@code{help info}}.
1827 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829 @code{set prompt $}.
1833 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834 @value{GDBN} itself.
1835 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1841 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1850 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1854 @kindex show version
1855 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1857 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1867 @kindex show copying
1868 @kindex info copying
1869 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1872 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1874 @kindex show warranty
1875 @kindex info warranty
1877 @itemx info warranty
1878 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1881 @kindex show configuration
1882 @item show configuration
1883 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1893 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1895 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896 debugging information when you compile it.
1898 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901 kill a child process.
1904 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905 * Starting:: Starting your program
1906 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1909 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1914 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1917 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1921 @section Compiling for Debugging
1923 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927 and addresses in the executable code.
1929 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1932 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936 executables containing debugging information.
1938 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1944 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1948 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1955 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1959 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962 format in @value{GDBN}.
1966 @section Starting your Program
1972 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1975 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1983 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988 message like this one:
1991 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992 Try "help target" or "continue".
1996 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997 first (@pxref{load}).
1999 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004 divided into four categories:
2007 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2008 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2013 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2017 @item The @emph{environment.}
2018 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2023 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2024 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2028 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032 set a different device for your program.
2033 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2036 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2042 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2048 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051 your current breakpoints.
2056 @cindex run to main procedure
2057 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062 procedure, depending on the language used.
2064 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066 the @samp{run} command.
2068 @cindex elaboration phase
2069 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075 will remain to halt execution.
2077 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2083 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087 elaboration code before running your program.
2089 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2090 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2092 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2101 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2106 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2115 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2118 @kindex set disable-randomization
2119 @item set disable-randomization
2120 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2121 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2126 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2130 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2133 @item set disable-randomization off
2134 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2141 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145 a code at its expected addresses.
2147 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154 a randomly chosen address.
2156 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2162 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2165 @item show disable-randomization
2166 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167 the virtual address space of the started program.
2172 @section Your Program's Arguments
2174 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2175 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2177 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2183 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186 the program, not by the shell.
2188 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2194 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198 it again without arguments.
2202 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2206 @section Your Program's Environment
2208 @cindex environment (of your program)
2209 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2219 @item path @var{directory}
2220 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2228 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233 @var{directory} to the search path.
2234 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2239 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240 environment variable).
2242 @kindex show environment
2243 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2249 @kindex set environment
2250 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2257 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2260 For example, this command:
2267 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269 are not actually required.)
2271 @kindex unset environment
2272 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2273 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2279 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2281 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2289 @node Working Directory
2290 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2292 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2293 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2299 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2305 @cindex change working directory
2306 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2312 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2315 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320 current working directory of the debuggee.
2323 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2328 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332 running your program.
2335 @kindex info terminal
2337 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2341 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2349 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2352 @cindex controlling terminal
2353 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2364 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366 that as their controlling terminal.
2368 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2372 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2377 @cindex inferior tty
2378 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2384 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385 @kindex set inferior-tty
2386 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2388 @item show inferior-tty
2389 @kindex show inferior-tty
2390 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2394 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2399 @item attach @var{process-id}
2400 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2406 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407 executing the command.
2410 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2415 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2422 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2433 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439 executing the command.
2442 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2450 @section Killing the Child Process
2455 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2458 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2462 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465 outside the debugger.
2467 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472 breakpoint settings).
2474 @node Inferiors and Programs
2475 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2477 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482 from multiple executables.
2485 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494 threads running in it.
2496 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2500 @kindex info inferiors
2501 @item info inferiors
2502 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2504 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2508 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2511 the target system's inferior identifier
2514 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2519 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520 indicates the current inferior.
2524 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2527 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2533 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2536 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537 @item inferior @var{infno}
2538 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2544 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2552 @kindex add-inferior
2553 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2560 @kindex clone-inferior
2561 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2568 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2574 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2577 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2580 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2582 @kindex remove-inferiors
2583 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2590 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2596 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2603 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2611 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2617 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2621 @kindex set print inferior-events
2622 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623 @item set print inferior-events
2624 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2625 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2626 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2631 @kindex show print inferior-events
2632 @item show print inferior-events
2633 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2637 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2642 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645 info program-spaces}} command.
2648 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2649 @item maint info program-spaces
2650 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2653 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2657 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2660 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661 the @code{file} command.
2666 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667 indicates the current program space.
2669 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2674 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2681 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2688 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2694 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2699 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2701 @cindex threads of execution
2702 @cindex multiple threads
2703 @cindex switching threads
2704 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2712 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2716 @item automatic notification of new threads
2717 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2722 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723 messages on thread start and exit.
2724 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726 isn't compatible with the program.
2730 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2738 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2743 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744 @c doesn't support threads"?
2747 @cindex focus of debugging
2748 @cindex current thread
2749 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2755 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2757 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2767 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2771 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2775 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2779 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781 @c threads ab initio?
2783 @cindex thread number
2784 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2789 @kindex info threads
2790 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2798 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2801 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2804 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2809 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2813 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814 indicates the current thread.
2818 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2821 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2829 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830 Solaris-specific command:
2833 @item maint info sol-threads
2834 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2835 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2840 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841 @item thread @var{threadno}
2842 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2849 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2852 8 printf ("hello\n");
2856 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2860 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865 information on convenience variables.
2867 @kindex thread apply
2868 @cindex apply command to several threads
2869 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2879 @cindex name a thread
2880 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2881 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2885 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2892 @cindex search for a thread
2893 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895 matches the supplied regular expression.
2897 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2903 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2910 @kindex set print thread-events
2911 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912 @item set print thread-events
2913 @itemx set print thread-events on
2914 @itemx set print thread-events off
2915 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2921 @kindex show print thread-events
2922 @item show print thread-events
2923 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924 have started and exited.
2927 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929 programs with multiple threads.
2931 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2934 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2936 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2946 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2953 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954 refers to the default system directories that are
2955 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2959 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961 was loaded in the inferior process.
2963 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2971 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972 only on some platforms.
2974 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2976 Display current libthread_db search path.
2978 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2979 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2980 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981 @item set debug libthread-db
2982 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2983 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2988 @section Debugging Forks
2990 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991 @cindex multiple processes
2992 @cindex processes, multiple
2993 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999 will cause it to terminate.
3001 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3012 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3017 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3020 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3024 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3032 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033 unimpeded. This is the default.
3036 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3041 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042 @item show follow-fork-mode
3043 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3046 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3047 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3051 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3052 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054 retain debugger control over them both.
3058 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060 independently. This is the default.
3063 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3070 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3071 @item show detach-on-fork
3072 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3075 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3082 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3088 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092 the child process's @code{main}.
3094 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3097 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3106 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3109 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3112 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3116 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3124 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3126 Id Description Executable
3129 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130 Program exited normally.
3131 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3138 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3147 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3151 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152 Program exited normally.
3153 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3161 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3165 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3166 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3171 @cindex snapshot of a process
3172 @cindex rewind program state
3174 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3179 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3185 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190 start again from there.
3192 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3195 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3200 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3204 @kindex info checkpoints
3205 @item info checkpoints
3206 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3214 @item Source line, or label
3217 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3225 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3230 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3236 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242 previously read data can be read again.
3244 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3251 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254 different execution path this time.
3256 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3257 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262 potentially pose a problem.
3264 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3266 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3273 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3280 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3282 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3286 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292 explicitly request this information at any time.
3295 @kindex info program
3297 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3302 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3307 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3311 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3314 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3322 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3330 @cindex data breakpoints
3331 @cindex memory tracing
3332 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3344 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3349 @cindex breakpoint on events
3350 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3358 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3359 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3368 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3369 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3377 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3383 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3392 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3394 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3397 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3400 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402 @cindex latest breakpoint
3403 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407 convenience variables.
3410 @item break @var{location}
3411 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3417 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3422 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3427 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3438 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442 existed when your program stopped.
3444 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3453 @item tbreak @var{args}
3454 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3460 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3461 @item hbreak @var{args}
3462 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3482 @item thbreak @var{args}
3483 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3493 @cindex regular expression
3494 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3497 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3504 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3511 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3516 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3521 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3524 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528 every function in a given file:
3531 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3534 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3537 @kindex info breakpoints
3538 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3547 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3549 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3551 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552 @item Enabled or Disabled
3553 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554 that are not enabled.
3556 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3563 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3570 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3577 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3583 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3590 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3598 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3603 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3608 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3615 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3618 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3622 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3626 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627 several places where that function is inlined.
3630 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631 the relevant locations.
3633 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3644 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3645 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3648 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3649 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3652 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660 that belong to that breakpoint.
3662 @cindex pending breakpoints
3663 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673 is not yet resolved.
3675 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3682 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3687 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3691 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693 address specification to an address:
3695 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3696 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3698 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3699 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3702 @item set breakpoint pending on
3703 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3706 @item set breakpoint pending off
3707 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3711 @item show breakpoint pending
3712 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3715 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3719 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3728 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3730 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3733 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736 breakpoint must be used.
3738 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3744 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3754 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3757 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760 removed from the target when it stops.
3762 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3768 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3777 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3781 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3784 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3786 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3789 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3795 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3809 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3818 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3828 @node Set Watchpoints
3829 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3831 @cindex setting watchpoints
3832 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3840 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3843 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3848 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3853 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861 the expression changes.
3863 @cindex software watchpoints
3864 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3865 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3872 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3878 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882 to watch the value of a single variable:
3885 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3888 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3895 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3904 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3917 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3922 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3927 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929 or written into by the program.
3931 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3937 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940 a never-changing value:
3943 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3949 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3956 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3957 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3966 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3970 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3975 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3979 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3982 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3986 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3988 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994 will print a message like this:
3997 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4000 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4009 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4017 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4021 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4023 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026 expression with separately allocated resources.
4028 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4032 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4042 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4043 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4044 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045 watched expression from every thread.
4048 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4059 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4061 @node Set Catchpoints
4062 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4064 @cindex exception handlers
4065 @cindex event handling
4067 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4073 @item catch @var{event}
4074 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4077 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4078 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4079 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4080 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4081 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4083 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4084 regular expression will be caught.
4086 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4087 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4088 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4089 exception being thrown.
4091 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4096 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4097 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4101 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4102 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4103 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4104 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4105 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4109 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4110 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4113 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4114 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4115 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4116 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4119 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4120 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4121 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4122 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4123 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4124 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4125 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4126 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4127 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4130 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4133 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4137 @cindex Ada exception catching
4138 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4139 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4140 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4141 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4142 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4144 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4145 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4146 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4147 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4148 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4149 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4150 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4151 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4153 @item exception unhandled
4154 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4157 A failed Ada assertion.
4160 @cindex break on fork/exec
4161 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4165 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4166 @cindex break on a system call.
4167 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4168 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4169 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4170 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4171 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4172 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4175 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4176 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4177 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4178 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4180 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4181 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4182 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4183 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4185 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4186 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4187 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4190 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4191 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4192 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4193 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4194 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4195 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4196 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4197 behind the OS upgrades).
4199 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4203 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4206 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4208 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4209 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4213 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4214 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4218 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4221 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4222 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4224 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4226 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4227 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4231 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4232 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4236 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4237 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4238 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4241 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4242 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4244 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4246 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4247 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4251 Program exited normally.
4255 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4256 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4257 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4258 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4261 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4262 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4263 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4267 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4268 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4269 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4270 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4271 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4272 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4275 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4276 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4277 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4278 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4279 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4283 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4285 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4286 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4289 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4290 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4293 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4296 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4300 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4303 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4304 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4305 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4306 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4307 matches one of the affected libraries.
4309 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4310 The delivery of a signal.
4312 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4313 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4314 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4316 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4317 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4320 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4321 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4324 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4325 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4328 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4329 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4330 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4331 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4336 @item tcatch @var{event}
4337 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4338 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4342 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4346 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4348 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4349 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4350 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4351 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4352 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4353 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4355 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4356 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4357 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4358 their breakpoint numbers.
4360 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4361 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4362 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4367 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4368 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4369 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4370 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4372 @item clear @var{location}
4373 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4374 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4375 most useful ones are listed below:
4378 @item clear @var{function}
4379 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4380 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4382 @item clear @var{linenum}
4383 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4384 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4385 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4388 @cindex delete breakpoints
4390 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4391 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4392 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4393 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4394 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4395 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4399 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4401 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4402 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4403 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4404 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4405 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4407 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4408 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4409 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4410 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4411 do not know which numbers to use.
4413 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4414 affects all of its locations.
4416 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4417 different states of enablement:
4421 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4422 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4424 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4426 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4429 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4430 N times, then becomes disabled.
4432 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4433 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4434 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4437 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4438 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4442 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4443 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4444 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4445 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4446 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4447 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4448 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4451 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4452 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4453 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4455 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4456 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4457 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4459 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4460 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4461 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4462 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4463 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4464 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4465 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4467 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4468 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4469 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4470 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4473 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4474 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4475 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4476 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4477 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4478 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4479 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4480 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4484 @subsection Break Conditions
4485 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4486 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4488 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4489 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4490 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4491 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4492 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4493 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4494 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4495 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4497 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4498 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4499 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4500 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4501 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4503 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4504 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4505 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4506 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4509 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4510 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4511 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4512 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4513 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4514 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4515 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4516 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4518 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4519 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4521 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4522 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4523 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4524 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4525 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4526 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4528 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4529 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4530 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4531 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4532 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4534 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4535 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4536 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4537 with the @code{condition} command.
4539 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4540 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4541 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4546 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4547 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4548 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4549 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4550 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4551 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4552 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4553 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4554 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4555 prints an error message:
4558 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4563 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4564 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4565 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4567 @item condition @var{bnum}
4568 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4569 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4572 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4573 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4574 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4575 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4576 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4577 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4578 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4579 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4580 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4581 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4582 your program reaches it.
4586 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4587 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4588 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4589 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4592 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4595 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4596 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4597 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4598 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4600 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4601 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4602 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4604 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4605 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4606 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4610 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4613 @node Break Commands
4614 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4616 @cindex breakpoint commands
4617 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4618 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4619 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4620 enable other breakpoints.
4624 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4625 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4626 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4628 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4629 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4630 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4632 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4633 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4635 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4636 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4637 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4638 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4639 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4640 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4641 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4645 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4646 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4648 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4649 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4650 that resumes execution.
4652 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4653 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4654 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4655 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4656 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4659 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4660 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4661 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4662 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4663 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4664 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4666 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4667 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4668 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4670 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4671 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4677 printf "x is %d\n",x
4682 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4683 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4684 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4685 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4686 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4687 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4688 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4699 @node Dynamic Printf
4700 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4702 @cindex dynamic printf
4704 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4705 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4706 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4707 having to recompile it.
4709 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4710 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4711 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4712 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4713 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4714 redirects to files and so forth.
4716 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4717 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4718 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4719 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4720 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4721 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4722 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4726 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4727 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4728 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4729 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4731 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4732 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4733 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4734 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4735 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4736 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4739 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4740 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4743 @kindex dprintf-style call
4744 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4748 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4749 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4750 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4751 support running commands on the target.
4753 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4754 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4755 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4756 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4759 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4760 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4761 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4762 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4763 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4764 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4766 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4767 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4768 you could do the following:
4771 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4772 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4773 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4774 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4775 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4777 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4778 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4783 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4784 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4785 the variable settings.
4787 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4788 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4789 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4790 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4791 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4792 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4794 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4795 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4796 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4800 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4801 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4802 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4803 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4804 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4805 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4807 @node Save Breakpoints
4808 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4810 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4811 breakpoints}} command.
4814 @kindex save breakpoints
4815 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4816 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4817 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4818 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4819 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4820 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4821 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4822 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4823 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4824 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4825 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4826 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4827 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4828 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4829 that can no longer be recreated.
4832 @node Static Probe Points
4833 @subsection Static Probe Points
4835 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4836 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4837 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4838 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4839 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4840 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4841 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4843 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4844 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4845 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4846 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4847 in your applications.
4849 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4850 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4851 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4852 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4853 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4854 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4855 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4856 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4858 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4859 probes}, with optional arguments:
4863 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4864 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4865 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4866 probes from all providers are listed.
4868 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4869 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4870 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4872 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4873 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4874 given, all object files are considered.
4876 @item info probes all
4877 List the available static probes, from all types.
4880 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4881 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4882 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4883 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4884 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4885 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4886 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4887 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4888 at the current probe point.
4890 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4891 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4895 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4896 @node Error in Breakpoints
4897 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4899 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4900 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4902 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4903 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4905 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4906 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4910 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4911 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4912 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4914 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4915 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4917 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4918 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4919 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4921 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4922 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4923 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4924 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4926 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4927 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4928 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4929 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4930 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4931 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4932 first in the bundle.
4934 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4935 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4936 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4937 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4938 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4939 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4942 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4943 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4946 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4949 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4950 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4951 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4952 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4953 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4954 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4955 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4956 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4958 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4959 adjusted breakpoints:
4962 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4966 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4967 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4968 frequently than expected.
4970 @node Continuing and Stepping
4971 @section Continuing and Stepping
4975 @cindex resuming execution
4976 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4977 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4978 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4979 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4980 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4981 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4982 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4983 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4987 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4988 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4989 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4991 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4992 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4993 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4994 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4995 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4996 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4998 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4999 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5000 @code{continue} is ignored.
5002 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5003 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5004 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5008 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5009 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5010 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5011 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5013 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5014 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5015 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5016 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5017 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5018 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5022 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5024 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5025 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5026 abbreviated @code{s}.
5029 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5030 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5031 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5032 @c distinction here.
5033 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5034 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5035 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5036 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5037 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5038 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5042 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5043 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5044 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5045 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5046 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5047 called within the line.
5049 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5050 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5051 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5052 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5053 was any debugging information about the routine.
5055 @item step @var{count}
5056 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5057 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5058 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5061 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5062 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5063 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5064 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5065 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5066 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5067 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5068 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5070 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5073 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5074 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5076 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5077 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5078 @c function are executed without stopping.
5080 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5081 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5082 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5084 @kindex set step-mode
5086 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5087 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5088 @itemx set step-mode on
5089 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5090 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5091 information rather than stepping over it.
5093 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5094 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5095 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5097 @item set step-mode off
5098 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5099 debug information. This is the default.
5101 @item show step-mode
5102 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5103 source line debug information.
5106 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5108 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5109 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5110 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5112 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5113 ,Returning from a Function}).
5116 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5117 @cindex run until specified location
5120 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5121 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5122 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5123 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5124 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5125 than the address of the jump.
5127 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5128 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5129 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5130 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5131 through the next iteration.
5133 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5136 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5137 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5138 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5139 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5140 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5144 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5146 (@value{GDBP}) until
5147 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5150 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5151 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5152 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5153 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5154 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5155 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5156 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5158 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5159 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5162 @item until @var{location}
5163 @itemx u @var{location}
5164 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5165 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5166 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5167 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5168 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5169 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5170 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5171 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5172 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5173 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5174 invocations have returned.
5177 94 int factorial (int value)
5179 96 if (value > 1) @{
5180 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5187 @kindex advance @var{location}
5188 @item advance @var{location}
5189 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5190 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5191 @ref{Specify Location}.
5192 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5193 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5194 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5195 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5199 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5201 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5203 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5205 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5206 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5207 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5208 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5210 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5214 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5216 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5218 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5219 proceed until the function returns.
5221 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5224 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5225 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5226 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5228 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5229 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5230 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5232 For example, consider the following C function:
5243 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5244 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5245 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5246 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5248 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5249 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5250 is called from many places.
5252 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5253 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5254 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5257 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5258 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5261 @kindex skip function
5262 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5263 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5264 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5265 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5266 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5268 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5271 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5272 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5275 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5276 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5277 will be skipped over when stepping.
5279 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5280 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5283 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5284 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5288 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5289 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5290 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5291 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5295 A number identifying this skip.
5297 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5298 @item Enabled or Disabled
5299 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5301 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5302 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5303 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5304 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5307 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5308 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5309 where it is defined.
5313 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5314 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5318 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5319 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5322 @kindex skip disable
5323 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5324 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5333 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5334 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5335 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5336 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5337 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5338 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5339 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5340 requested an alarm).
5342 @cindex fatal signals
5343 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5344 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5345 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5346 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5347 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5348 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5350 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5351 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5354 @cindex handling signals
5355 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5356 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5357 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5358 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5359 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5362 @kindex info signals
5366 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5367 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5368 the defined types of signals.
5370 @item info signals @var{sig}
5371 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5373 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5375 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5376 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5377 for details about this command.
5380 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5381 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5382 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5383 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5384 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5385 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5386 say what change to make.
5390 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5391 Their full names are:
5395 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5396 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5399 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5400 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5403 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5406 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5407 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5411 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5412 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5413 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5417 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5418 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5422 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5424 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5425 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5426 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5427 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5428 program sees that signal when you continue.
5430 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5431 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5432 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5435 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5436 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5437 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5438 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5439 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5440 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5441 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5442 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5445 @cindex extra signal information
5446 @anchor{extra signal information}
5448 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5449 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5450 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5451 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5452 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5453 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5454 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5455 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5456 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5459 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5460 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5464 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5465 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5466 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5468 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5475 struct @{...@} _kill;
5476 struct @{...@} _timer;
5478 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5479 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5480 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5483 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5487 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5488 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5492 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5495 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5497 @cindex stopped threads
5498 @cindex threads, stopped
5500 @cindex continuing threads
5501 @cindex threads, continuing
5503 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5504 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5505 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5506 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5507 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5508 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5509 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5510 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5511 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5514 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5515 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5516 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5517 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5518 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5519 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5523 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5525 @cindex all-stop mode
5527 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5528 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5529 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5530 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5533 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5534 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5535 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5537 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5538 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5539 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5540 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5541 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5542 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5545 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5546 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5547 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5548 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5550 @cindex automatic thread selection
5551 @cindex switching threads automatically
5552 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5553 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5554 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5555 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5556 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5559 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5560 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5563 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5564 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5565 @cindex lock scheduler
5566 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5567 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5568 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5569 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5570 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5571 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5572 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5573 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5574 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5575 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5576 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5577 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5579 @item show scheduler-locking
5580 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5583 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5584 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5585 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5586 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5587 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5588 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5589 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5590 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5591 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5592 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5593 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5594 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5595 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5596 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5599 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5600 @item set schedule-multiple
5601 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5602 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5603 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5604 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5605 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5606 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5608 @item show schedule-multiple
5609 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5614 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5616 @cindex non-stop mode
5618 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5619 @c with more details.
5621 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5622 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5623 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5624 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5625 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5626 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5628 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5629 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5630 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5631 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5632 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5633 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5634 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5635 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5636 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5637 independently and simultaneously.
5639 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5640 or attach to your program:
5643 # Enable the async interface.
5646 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5649 # Finally, turn it on!
5653 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5656 @kindex set non-stop
5657 @item set non-stop on
5658 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5659 @item set non-stop off
5660 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5661 @kindex show non-stop
5663 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5666 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5667 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5668 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5669 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5670 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5671 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5672 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5675 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5676 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5677 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5679 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5680 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5681 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5682 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5683 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5685 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5686 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5687 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5688 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5689 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5691 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5693 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5694 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5695 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5696 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5697 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5698 previously current thread.
5700 @node Background Execution
5701 @subsection Background Execution
5703 @cindex foreground execution
5704 @cindex background execution
5705 @cindex asynchronous execution
5706 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5708 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5709 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5710 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5711 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5712 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5713 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5715 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5716 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5717 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5720 @kindex set target-async
5721 @item set target-async on
5722 Enable asynchronous mode.
5723 @item set target-async off
5724 Disable asynchronous mode.
5725 @kindex show target-async
5726 @item show target-async
5727 Show the current target-async setting.
5730 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5731 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5733 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5734 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5735 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5741 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5745 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5749 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5753 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5757 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5761 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5765 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5769 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5773 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5777 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5778 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5779 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5780 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5781 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5782 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5784 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5785 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5792 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5793 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5794 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5795 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5798 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5799 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5801 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5802 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5803 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5806 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5807 @cindex thread breakpoints
5808 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5809 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5810 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5811 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5812 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5813 specify some source line.
5815 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5816 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5817 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5818 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5819 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5821 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5822 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5825 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5826 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5827 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5830 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5835 @node Interrupted System Calls
5836 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5838 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5839 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5840 @cindex premature return from system calls
5841 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5842 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5843 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5844 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5845 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5846 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5849 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5850 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5853 For example, do not write code like this:
5859 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5860 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5862 Instead, write this:
5867 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5870 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5871 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5872 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5875 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5876 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5877 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5878 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5881 @subsection Observer Mode
5883 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5884 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5885 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5886 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5887 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5889 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5890 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5891 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5894 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5895 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5896 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5897 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5898 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5903 @item set observer on
5904 @itemx set observer off
5905 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5906 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5907 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5908 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5911 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5913 @kindex may-write-registers
5914 @item set may-write-registers on
5915 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5916 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5917 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5918 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5920 @item show may-write-registers
5921 Show the current permission to write registers.
5923 @kindex may-write-memory
5924 @item set may-write-memory on
5925 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5926 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5927 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5928 defaults to @code{on}.
5930 @item show may-write-memory
5931 Show the current permission to write memory.
5933 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5934 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5935 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5936 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5937 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5938 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5940 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5941 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5943 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5944 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5945 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5946 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5947 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5948 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5949 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5951 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5952 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5954 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5955 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5956 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5957 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5958 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5959 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5960 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5962 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5963 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5965 @kindex may-interrupt
5966 @item set may-interrupt on
5967 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5968 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5969 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5970 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5971 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5973 @item show may-interrupt
5974 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5978 @node Reverse Execution
5979 @chapter Running programs backward
5980 @cindex reverse execution
5981 @cindex running programs backward
5983 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5984 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5985 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5986 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5988 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5989 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5990 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5991 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5992 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5993 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5995 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5996 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5997 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5998 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5999 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6000 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6001 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6002 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6003 prior values@footnote{
6004 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6005 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6006 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6008 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6009 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6010 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6011 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6012 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6013 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6014 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6017 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6018 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6021 @kindex reverse-continue
6022 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6023 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6024 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6025 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6026 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6027 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6028 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6030 @kindex reverse-step
6031 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6032 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6033 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6034 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6036 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6037 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6038 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6039 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6040 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6041 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6043 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6044 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6046 @kindex reverse-stepi
6047 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6048 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6049 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6050 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6051 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6052 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6053 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6055 @kindex reverse-next
6056 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6057 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6058 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6059 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6060 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6061 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6062 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6063 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6064 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6065 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6067 @kindex reverse-nexti
6068 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6069 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6070 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6071 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6072 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6073 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6074 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6077 @kindex reverse-finish
6078 @item reverse-finish
6079 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6080 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6081 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6082 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6084 @kindex set exec-direction
6085 @item set exec-direction
6086 Set the direction of target execution.
6087 @item set exec-direction reverse
6088 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6089 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6090 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6091 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6092 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6093 @item set exec-direction forward
6094 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6095 This is the default.
6099 @node Process Record and Replay
6100 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6101 @cindex process record and replay
6102 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6104 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6105 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6106 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6109 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6110 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6111 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6112 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6113 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6114 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6115 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6116 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6120 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6121 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6122 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6125 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6126 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6127 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6128 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6129 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6130 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6132 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6133 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6134 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6135 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6137 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6138 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6141 @kindex target record
6142 @kindex target record-full
6143 @kindex target record-btrace
6146 @kindex record btrace
6150 @item record @var{method}
6151 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6152 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6153 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6154 recording methods are available:
6158 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6159 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6163 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6164 replaying and reverse execution.
6166 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6169 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6170 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6171 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6172 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6174 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6175 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6177 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6178 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6179 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6180 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6181 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6183 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6184 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6185 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6186 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6187 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6188 does not support these two modes.
6193 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6194 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6195 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6197 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6198 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6199 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6200 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6201 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6203 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6204 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6205 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6206 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6207 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6209 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6210 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6213 @item record save @var{filename}
6214 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6215 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6216 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6218 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6220 @kindex record restore
6221 @item record restore @var{filename}
6222 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6223 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6225 @kindex set record full
6226 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6227 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6228 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6229 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6231 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6232 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6233 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6234 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6235 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6236 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6237 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6238 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6240 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6241 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6242 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6244 @kindex show record full
6245 @item show record full insn-number-max
6246 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6249 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6250 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6251 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6252 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6253 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6254 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6255 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6256 oldest one to be deleted.
6258 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6259 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6261 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6262 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6264 @item set record full memory-query
6265 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6266 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6267 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6270 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6271 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6272 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6273 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6276 @item show record full memory-query
6277 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6281 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6286 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6287 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6291 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6293 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6295 Highest recorded instruction number.
6297 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6299 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6301 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6305 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6306 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6307 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6310 @kindex record delete
6313 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6314 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6315 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6316 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6318 @kindex record instruction-history
6319 @kindex rec instruction-history
6320 @item record instruction-history
6321 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6322 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6323 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6324 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6325 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6328 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6329 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6332 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6333 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6334 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6335 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6336 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6337 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6339 @item record instruction-history
6340 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6342 @item record instruction-history -
6343 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6345 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6346 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6347 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6348 number @var{end} is not included.
6351 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6354 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6355 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6356 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6357 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6358 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6361 @item show record instruction-history-size
6362 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6363 instruction-history} command.
6365 @kindex record function-call-history
6366 @kindex rec function-call-history
6367 @item record function-call-history
6368 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6369 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6370 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6371 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6372 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6373 the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6376 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6387 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
6393 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6394 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6395 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6399 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6400 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6402 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6403 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6404 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6405 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6406 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6408 @item record function-call-history
6409 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6411 @item record function-call-history -
6412 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6414 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6415 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6416 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6420 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6422 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6423 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6424 Define how many lines to print in the
6425 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6426 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6428 @item show record function-call-history-size
6429 Show how many lines to print in the
6430 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6435 @chapter Examining the Stack
6437 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6438 stopped and how it got there.
6441 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6443 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6444 the arguments of the call,
6445 and the local variables of the function being called.
6446 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6447 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6450 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6451 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6453 @cindex selected frame
6454 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6455 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6456 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6457 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6458 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6459 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6461 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6462 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6463 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6466 * Frames:: Stack frames
6467 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6468 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6469 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6470 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6475 @section Stack Frames
6477 @cindex frame, definition
6479 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6480 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6481 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6482 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6483 which the function is executing.
6485 @cindex initial frame
6486 @cindex outermost frame
6487 @cindex innermost frame
6488 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6489 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6490 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6491 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6492 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6493 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6494 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6495 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6497 @cindex frame pointer
6498 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6499 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6500 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6501 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6502 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6503 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6505 @cindex frame number
6506 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6507 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6508 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6509 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6510 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6512 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6513 @c underflow problems.
6514 @cindex frameless execution
6515 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6516 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6518 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6520 generates functions without a frame.)
6521 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6522 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6523 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6524 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6525 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6526 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6527 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6530 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6531 @cindex current stack frame
6532 @item frame @var{args}
6533 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6534 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6535 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6536 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6538 @kindex select-frame
6539 @cindex selecting frame silently
6541 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6542 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6550 @cindex call stack traces
6551 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6552 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6553 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6556 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6559 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6562 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6563 frames in the stack.
6565 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6566 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6568 @item backtrace @var{n}
6570 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6572 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6574 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6576 @item backtrace full
6578 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6579 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6580 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6581 number of frames to print, as described above.
6583 @item backtrace no-filters
6584 @itemx bt no-filters
6585 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6586 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6587 @itemx bt no-filters full
6588 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
6589 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
6590 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
6591 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
6592 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
6593 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
6599 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6600 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6602 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6603 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6604 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6605 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6606 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6607 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6608 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6609 multi-threaded program.
6611 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6612 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6613 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6614 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6615 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6618 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6619 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6623 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6625 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6626 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6628 (More stack frames follow...)
6633 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6634 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6635 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6638 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6639 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6640 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6641 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6642 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6644 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6645 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6646 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6647 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6648 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6649 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6650 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6651 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6652 such a backtrace might look like:
6656 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6658 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6659 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6661 (More stack frames follow...)
6666 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6667 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6669 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6670 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6671 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6673 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6674 @cindex program entry point
6675 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6676 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6677 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6678 @code{main}@footnote{
6679 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6680 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6681 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6682 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6683 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6684 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6686 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6687 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6690 @item set backtrace past-main
6691 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6692 @kindex set backtrace
6693 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6695 @item set backtrace past-main off
6696 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6699 @item show backtrace past-main
6700 @kindex show backtrace
6701 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6703 @item set backtrace past-entry
6704 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6705 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6706 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6707 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6709 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6710 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6711 application. This is the default.
6713 @item show backtrace past-entry
6714 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6716 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6717 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6718 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6719 @cindex backtrace limit
6720 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6721 or zero means unlimited levels.
6723 @item show backtrace limit
6724 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6727 You can control how file names are displayed.
6730 @item set filename-display
6731 @itemx set filename-display relative
6732 @cindex filename-display
6733 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6735 @item set filename-display basename
6736 Display only basename of a filename.
6738 @item set filename-display absolute
6739 Display an absolute filename.
6741 @item show filename-display
6742 Show the current way to display filenames.
6745 @node Frame Filter Management
6746 @section Management of Frame Filters.
6747 @cindex managing frame filters
6749 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
6750 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
6752 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
6753 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
6756 @kindex info frame-filter
6757 @item info frame-filter
6758 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
6759 their name, priority and enabled status.
6761 @kindex disable frame-filter
6762 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
6763 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6764 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6765 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6766 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6767 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6768 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
6769 across all dictionaries are disabled. @var{filter-name} is the name
6770 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6771 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
6772 may be enabled again later.
6774 @kindex enable frame-filter
6775 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6776 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6777 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6778 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6779 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6780 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
6781 all dictionaries are enabled. @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
6782 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6783 @var{filter-dictionary}.
6788 (gdb) info frame-filter
6790 global frame-filters:
6791 Priority Enabled Name
6792 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6795 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6796 Priority Enabled Name
6797 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6799 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6800 Priority Enabled Name
6801 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
6803 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
6804 (gdb) info frame-filter
6806 global frame-filters:
6807 Priority Enabled Name
6808 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6811 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6812 Priority Enabled Name
6813 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6815 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6816 Priority Enabled Name
6817 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6819 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
6820 (gdb) info frame-filter
6822 global frame-filters:
6823 Priority Enabled Name
6824 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6827 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6828 Priority Enabled Name
6829 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6831 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6832 Priority Enabled Name
6833 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6836 @kindex set frame-filter priority
6837 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
6838 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6839 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6840 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6841 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6842 dictionary resides. @var{priority} is an integer.
6844 @kindex show frame-filter priority
6845 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6846 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6847 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6848 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6849 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6855 (gdb) info frame-filter
6857 global frame-filters:
6858 Priority Enabled Name
6859 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6862 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6863 Priority Enabled Name
6864 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6866 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6867 Priority Enabled Name
6868 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6870 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
6871 (gdb) info frame-filter
6873 global frame-filters:
6874 Priority Enabled Name
6875 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6878 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6879 Priority Enabled Name
6880 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6882 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6883 Priority Enabled Name
6884 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6889 @section Selecting a Frame
6891 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6892 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6893 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6894 of the stack frame just selected.
6897 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6898 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6901 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6902 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6903 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6906 @item frame @var{addr}
6908 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6909 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6910 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6911 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6912 switches between them.
6914 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6915 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6917 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6918 pointer and a program counter.
6920 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6921 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6925 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6926 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6927 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6930 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6932 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6933 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6934 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6935 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6938 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6939 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6940 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6941 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6949 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6951 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6955 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6956 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6957 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6958 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6959 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6963 @kindex down-silently
6965 @item up-silently @var{n}
6966 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6967 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6968 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6969 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6970 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6975 @section Information About a Frame
6977 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6983 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6984 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6985 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6986 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6987 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6990 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6993 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6998 the address of the frame
7000 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7002 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7004 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7006 the address of the frame's arguments
7008 the address of the frame's local variables
7010 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7012 which registers were saved in the frame
7015 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7016 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7017 the usual conventions.
7019 @item info frame @var{addr}
7020 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7021 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7022 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7023 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7024 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7025 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7029 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7033 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7034 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7035 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7041 @chapter Examining Source Files
7043 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7044 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7045 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7046 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7047 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7048 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7049 source files by explicit command.
7051 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7052 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7053 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7056 * List:: Printing source lines
7057 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7058 * Edit:: Editing source files
7059 * Search:: Searching source files
7060 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7061 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7065 @section Printing Source Lines
7068 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7069 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7070 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7071 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7072 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7074 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7077 @item list @var{linenum}
7078 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7079 current source file.
7081 @item list @var{function}
7082 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7086 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7087 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7088 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7089 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7090 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7093 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7096 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7097 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7098 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7101 @kindex set listsize
7102 @item set listsize @var{count}
7103 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7104 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7105 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7106 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7108 @kindex show listsize
7110 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7113 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7114 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7115 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7116 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7117 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7119 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7120 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
7121 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7122 to specify some source line.
7124 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7127 @item list @var{linespec}
7128 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
7130 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7131 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7132 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
7133 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
7134 the same source file as the first linespec.
7136 @item list ,@var{last}
7137 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7139 @item list @var{first},
7140 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7143 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7146 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7149 As described in the preceding table.
7152 @node Specify Location
7153 @section Specifying a Location
7154 @cindex specifying location
7157 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7158 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7159 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7160 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7162 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7163 @value{GDBN} understands:
7167 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7170 @itemx +@var{offset}
7171 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7172 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7173 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7174 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7175 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7176 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7177 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7180 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7181 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7182 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7183 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7184 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7185 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7186 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7188 @item @var{function}
7189 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7190 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7192 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7193 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7195 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7196 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7197 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7198 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7199 functions in different source files.
7202 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7203 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7204 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7205 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7206 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7208 @item *@var{address}
7209 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7210 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7211 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7212 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7213 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7216 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7217 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7218 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7219 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7220 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7224 @item @var{expression}
7225 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7227 @item @var{funcaddr}
7228 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7229 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7230 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7231 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7232 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7233 (although the Pascal form also works).
7235 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7236 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7238 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7239 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7240 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7241 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7242 functions with identical names in different source files.
7245 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7246 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7247 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7248 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7249 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7250 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7252 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7253 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7254 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7255 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7256 each one of those probes.
7262 @section Editing Source Files
7263 @cindex editing source files
7266 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7267 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7268 The editing program of your choice
7269 is invoked with the current line set to
7270 the active line in the program.
7271 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7272 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7275 @item edit @var{location}
7276 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7277 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7278 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7279 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7280 command most commonly used:
7283 @item edit @var{number}
7284 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7286 @item edit @var{function}
7287 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7292 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7293 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7295 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7296 following command-line syntax:
7298 ex +@var{number} file
7300 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7301 the file where to start editing.}.
7302 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7303 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7304 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7305 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7311 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7313 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7318 @section Searching Source Files
7319 @cindex searching source files
7321 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7326 @kindex forward-search
7327 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7328 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7329 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7330 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7331 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7332 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7333 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7336 @kindex reverse-search
7337 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7338 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7339 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7340 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7341 this command as @code{rev}.
7345 @section Specifying Source Directories
7348 @cindex directories for source files
7349 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7350 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7351 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7352 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7353 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7354 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7355 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7357 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7358 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7359 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7360 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7361 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7362 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7363 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7364 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7365 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7366 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7367 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7369 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7370 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7371 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7372 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7373 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7374 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7376 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7379 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7380 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7381 each line is in the file.
7385 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7386 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7387 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7389 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7390 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7392 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7393 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7394 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7395 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7396 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7397 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7398 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7399 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7400 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7401 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7402 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7403 name to look up the sources.
7405 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7406 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7407 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7408 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7409 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7410 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7411 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7412 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7414 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7415 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7416 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7417 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7418 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7419 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7420 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7422 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7423 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7424 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7425 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7426 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7427 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7428 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7431 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7432 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7433 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7434 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7435 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7436 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7437 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7439 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7440 @cindex default source path substitution
7441 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7442 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7443 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7444 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7445 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7446 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7447 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7448 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7449 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7453 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7454 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7455 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7456 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7457 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7458 part of absolute file names) or
7459 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7460 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7464 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7465 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7466 @cindex compilation directory
7467 @cindex current directory
7468 @cindex working directory
7469 @cindex directory, current
7470 @cindex directory, compilation
7471 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7472 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7473 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7474 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7475 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7476 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7479 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7481 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7482 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7484 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7485 @kindex set directories
7486 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7487 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7489 @item show directories
7490 @kindex show directories
7491 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7493 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7494 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7495 @kindex set substitute-path
7496 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7497 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7498 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7500 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7501 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7504 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7508 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7509 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7510 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7512 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7513 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7514 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7517 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7520 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7521 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7525 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7526 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7527 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7528 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7531 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7532 @kindex unset substitute-path
7533 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7534 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7535 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7537 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7539 @item show substitute-path [path]
7540 @kindex show substitute-path
7541 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7542 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7544 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7549 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7550 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7551 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7555 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7558 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7559 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7560 directories in one command.
7564 @section Source and Machine Code
7565 @cindex source line and its code address
7567 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7568 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7569 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7570 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7571 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7572 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7573 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7578 @item info line @var{linespec}
7579 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7580 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7581 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7584 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7585 the object code for the first line of function
7586 @code{m4_changequote}:
7588 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7589 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7591 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7592 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7596 @cindex code address and its source line
7597 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7598 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7600 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7601 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7604 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7605 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7606 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7607 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7608 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7609 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7610 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7611 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7616 @cindex assembly instructions
7617 @cindex instructions, assembly
7618 @cindex machine instructions
7619 @cindex listing machine instructions
7621 @itemx disassemble /m
7622 @itemx disassemble /r
7623 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7624 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7625 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7626 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7627 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7628 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7629 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7630 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7631 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7632 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7635 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7636 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7637 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7638 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7639 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7643 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7644 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7646 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7647 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7649 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7650 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7653 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7654 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7657 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7658 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7659 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7660 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7661 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7662 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7663 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7664 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7665 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7666 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7667 End of assembler dump.
7670 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7671 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7674 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7675 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7677 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7678 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7679 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7680 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7681 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7683 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7684 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7685 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7689 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7690 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7691 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7693 End of assembler dump.
7696 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7699 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7700 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7701 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7702 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7703 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7704 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7705 End of assembler dump.
7708 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7709 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7710 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7711 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7713 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7714 mnemonics or other syntax.
7716 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7717 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7718 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7719 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7720 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7723 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7724 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7725 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7726 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7727 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7728 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7730 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7731 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7732 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7733 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7735 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7736 @item show disassembly-flavor
7737 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7741 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7742 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7743 @item set disassemble-next-line
7744 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7745 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7746 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7747 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7748 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7749 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7750 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7751 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7752 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7753 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7754 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7755 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7756 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7757 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7758 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7764 @chapter Examining Data
7766 @cindex printing data
7767 @cindex examining data
7770 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7771 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7772 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7773 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7774 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7775 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7778 @item print @var{expr}
7779 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7780 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7781 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7782 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7783 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7787 @itemx print /@var{f}
7788 @cindex reprint the last value
7789 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7790 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7791 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7794 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7795 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7796 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7798 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7799 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7800 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7803 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7805 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7806 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7807 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7808 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7809 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7810 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7811 embedded in the higher level data types.
7814 @item explore @var{arg}
7815 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7816 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7819 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7820 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7830 struct ComplexStruct
7832 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7838 followed by variable declarations as
7841 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7842 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7846 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7847 @code{explore} command as follows.
7851 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7852 the following fields:
7854 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7855 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7857 Enter the field number of choice:
7861 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7862 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7863 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7864 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7865 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7866 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7867 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7868 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7871 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7872 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7873 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7874 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7876 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7877 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7879 Press enter to return to parent value:
7883 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7884 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7885 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7889 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7890 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7892 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7896 Press enter to return to parent value:
7899 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7900 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7901 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7902 level data structure).
7904 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7905 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7906 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7907 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7908 same example as above, your can explore the type
7909 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7910 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7913 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7917 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7918 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7919 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7922 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7923 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7924 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7925 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7926 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7929 @item explore value @var{expr}
7930 @cindex explore value
7931 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7932 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7933 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7934 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7935 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7937 @item explore type @var{arg}
7938 @cindex explore type
7939 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7940 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7941 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7942 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7943 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7944 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7945 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7946 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7947 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7951 * Expressions:: Expressions
7952 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7953 * Variables:: Program variables
7954 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7955 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7956 * Memory:: Examining memory
7957 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7958 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7959 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7960 * Value History:: Value history
7961 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7962 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7963 * Registers:: Registers
7964 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7965 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7966 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7967 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7968 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7969 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7970 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7971 character set than GDB does
7972 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7973 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7977 @section Expressions
7980 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7981 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7982 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7983 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7984 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7985 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7988 @cindex arrays in expressions
7989 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7990 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7991 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7992 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7993 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7994 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7996 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7997 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7998 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8001 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8002 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8004 @cindex casts, in expressions
8005 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8006 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8007 at that address in memory.
8008 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8010 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8011 to programming languages:
8015 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8016 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8019 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8020 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8022 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8023 @cindex type casting memory
8024 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8025 @cindex casts, to view memory
8026 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8027 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8028 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
8029 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
8030 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
8031 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8034 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8035 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8036 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8038 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8039 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8040 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8041 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8042 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8043 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8044 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8046 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8047 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8048 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8049 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8050 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8053 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8054 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8055 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8056 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8057 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8058 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8059 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8062 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8063 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8064 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8066 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8069 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8072 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8073 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8074 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8075 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8076 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8077 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8079 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8080 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8081 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8082 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8083 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8090 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8091 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8092 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8094 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8097 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8098 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8099 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8100 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8101 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8102 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8103 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8104 in the use of the menu.
8106 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8107 when an ambiguity is detected.
8109 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8110 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8112 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8113 @item show multiple-symbols
8114 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8118 @section Program Variables
8120 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8123 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8124 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8128 global (or file-static)
8135 visible according to the scope rules of the
8136 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8139 @noindent This means that in the function
8154 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8155 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8156 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8157 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8159 @cindex variable name conflict
8160 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8161 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8162 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8163 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8164 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8165 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8166 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8168 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8170 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8171 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8174 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8175 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8179 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8180 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8181 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8182 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8185 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8188 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8189 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8190 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8191 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8192 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8201 process (a); /* Stop here */
8212 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8213 here is what you might see
8214 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8219 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8222 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8225 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8229 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8230 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8231 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8232 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8233 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8236 @cindex wrong values
8237 @cindex variable values, wrong
8238 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8239 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8241 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8242 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8243 scope, and just before exit.
8245 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8246 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8247 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8248 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8249 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8250 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8251 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8252 variable definitions may be gone.
8254 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8255 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8258 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8259 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8260 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8261 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8262 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8263 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8264 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8267 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8270 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8271 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8272 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8273 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8274 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8276 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8277 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8278 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8279 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8281 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8282 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8283 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8284 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8285 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8288 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8294 (gdb) print i@@entry
8298 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8299 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8300 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8301 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8302 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8307 signed char var1[] = "A";
8310 You get during debugging
8315 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8319 @section Artificial Arrays
8321 @cindex artificial array
8323 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8324 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8325 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8326 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8329 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8330 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8331 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8332 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8333 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8334 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8335 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8336 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8337 example. If a program says
8340 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8344 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8350 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8351 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8352 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8353 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8354 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8356 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8357 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8358 The value need not be in memory:
8360 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8361 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8364 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8365 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8366 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8368 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8369 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8372 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8373 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8374 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8375 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8376 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8377 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8378 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8379 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8380 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8381 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8391 @node Output Formats
8392 @section Output Formats
8394 @cindex formatted output
8395 @cindex output formats
8396 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8397 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8398 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8399 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8400 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8402 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8403 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8404 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8405 letters supported are:
8409 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8413 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8416 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8419 Print as integer in octal.
8422 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8423 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8424 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8425 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8428 @cindex unknown address, locating
8429 @cindex locate address
8430 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8431 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8432 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8435 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8436 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8440 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8441 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8444 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8445 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8446 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8447 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8449 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8450 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8451 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8455 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8456 using typical floating point syntax.
8459 @cindex printing strings
8460 @cindex printing byte arrays
8461 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8462 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8463 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8466 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8467 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8468 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8472 @cindex raw printing
8473 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8474 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8475 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8476 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8477 pretty-printer which might exist.
8480 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8487 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8488 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8490 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8491 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8492 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8495 @section Examining Memory
8497 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8498 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8500 @cindex examining memory
8502 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8503 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8506 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8509 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8510 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8511 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8512 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8513 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8516 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8517 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8518 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8519 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8522 @item @var{f}, the display format
8523 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8524 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8525 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8526 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8527 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8529 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8530 The unit size is any of
8536 Halfwords (two bytes).
8538 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8540 Giant words (eight bytes).
8543 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8544 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8545 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8546 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8547 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8548 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8549 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8550 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8551 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8552 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8555 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8556 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8557 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8558 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8559 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8560 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8561 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8562 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8563 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8564 a value from memory).
8567 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8568 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8569 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8570 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8571 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8573 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8574 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8575 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8576 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8577 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8579 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8580 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8581 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8582 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8583 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8584 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8585 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8586 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8587 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8589 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8590 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8591 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8592 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8593 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8594 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8595 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8597 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8598 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8601 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8602 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8603 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8604 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8605 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8606 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8609 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8610 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8611 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8612 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8613 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8614 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8615 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8616 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8617 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8619 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8620 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8621 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8623 @cindex remote memory comparison
8624 @cindex verify remote memory image
8625 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8626 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8627 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8628 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8632 @kindex compare-sections
8633 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8634 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8635 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8636 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8637 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8638 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8643 @section Automatic Display
8644 @cindex automatic display
8645 @cindex display of expressions
8647 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8648 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8649 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8650 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8651 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8652 The automatic display looks like this:
8656 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8660 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8661 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8662 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8663 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8664 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8665 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8669 @item display @var{expr}
8670 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8671 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8673 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8675 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8676 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8677 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8678 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8679 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8681 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8682 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8683 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8684 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8685 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8688 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8689 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8690 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8693 @kindex delete display
8695 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8696 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8697 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8698 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8699 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8700 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8701 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8703 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8704 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8706 @kindex disable display
8707 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8708 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8709 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8710 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8711 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8712 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8713 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8714 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8716 @kindex enable display
8717 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8718 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8719 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8720 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8721 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8722 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8723 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8726 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8727 done when your program stops.
8729 @kindex info display
8731 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8732 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8733 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8734 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8735 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8738 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8739 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8740 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8741 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8742 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8743 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8744 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8745 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8746 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8747 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8748 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8750 @node Print Settings
8751 @section Print Settings
8753 @cindex format options
8754 @cindex print settings
8755 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8756 and symbols are printed.
8759 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8763 @item set print address
8764 @itemx set print address on
8765 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8766 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8767 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8768 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8769 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8770 @code{set print address on}:
8775 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8777 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8781 @item set print address off
8782 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8783 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8787 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8789 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8790 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8794 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8795 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8796 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8797 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8800 @item show print address
8801 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8804 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8805 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8806 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8807 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8808 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8809 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8810 it prints a symbolic address:
8813 @item set print symbol-filename on
8814 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8815 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8816 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8817 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8819 @item set print symbol-filename off
8820 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8823 @item show print symbol-filename
8824 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8825 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8828 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8829 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8830 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8832 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8833 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8836 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8837 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8838 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8839 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8840 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8841 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8842 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8843 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8845 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8846 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8850 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8851 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8852 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8853 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8854 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8855 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8856 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8857 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8860 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8861 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8862 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8866 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8867 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8868 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8871 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8872 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8875 @item set print symbol on
8876 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8879 @item set print symbol off
8880 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8881 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8882 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8884 @item show print symbol
8885 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8889 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8892 @item set print array
8893 @itemx set print array on
8894 @cindex pretty print arrays
8895 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8896 but uses more space. The default is off.
8898 @item set print array off
8899 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8901 @item show print array
8902 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8905 @cindex print array indexes
8906 @item set print array-indexes
8907 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8908 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8909 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8910 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8912 @item set print array-indexes off
8913 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8915 @item show print array-indexes
8916 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8919 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8920 @itemx set print elements unlimited
8921 @cindex number of array elements to print
8922 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8923 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8924 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8925 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8926 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8927 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8928 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8929 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8931 @item show print elements
8932 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8933 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8935 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8936 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8937 @cindex printing frame argument values
8938 @cindex print all frame argument values
8939 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8940 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8941 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8942 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8947 The values of all arguments are printed.
8950 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8951 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8952 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8953 only scalar arguments are shown:
8956 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8961 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8962 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8965 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8970 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8971 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8972 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8973 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8974 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8975 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8976 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8977 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8978 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8979 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8981 @item show print frame-arguments
8982 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8984 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8985 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8986 @kindex set print entry-values
8987 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8988 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8989 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8990 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8991 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8993 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8994 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8995 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8998 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8999 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9000 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9003 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9007 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9011 #0 different (val=6)
9012 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9014 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9018 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9019 values are never printed.
9021 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9022 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9023 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9024 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9025 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9029 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9030 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9031 value for such parameter.
9033 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9034 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9035 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9037 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9041 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9042 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9046 #0 different (val=6)
9047 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9049 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9053 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9054 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9057 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9058 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9059 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9060 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9061 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9065 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9066 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9067 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9068 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9069 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9071 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9072 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9073 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9075 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9079 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9080 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9081 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9082 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9084 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9085 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9086 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9088 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9092 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9093 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9095 @item show print entry-values
9096 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9099 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9100 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9101 @cindex repeated array elements
9102 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9103 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9104 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9105 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9106 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9107 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9108 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9111 @item show print repeats
9112 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9115 @item set print null-stop
9116 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9117 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9118 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9119 contain only short strings.
9122 @item show print null-stop
9123 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9124 @sc{null} character.
9126 @item set print pretty on
9127 @cindex print structures in indented form
9128 @cindex indentation in structure display
9129 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9130 per line, like this:
9145 @item set print pretty off
9146 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9150 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9151 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9156 This is the default format.
9158 @item show print pretty
9159 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9161 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9162 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9163 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9164 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9165 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9166 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9167 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9168 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9170 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9171 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9172 international character sets, and is the default.
9174 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9175 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9177 @item set print union on
9178 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9179 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9180 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9182 @item set print union off
9183 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9184 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9187 @item show print union
9188 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9189 structures and other unions.
9191 For example, given the declarations
9194 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9195 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9196 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9207 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9211 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9214 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9218 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9221 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9225 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9231 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9234 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9235 @item set print demangle
9236 @itemx set print demangle on
9237 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9238 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9239 linkage. The default is on.
9241 @item show print demangle
9242 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9244 @item set print asm-demangle
9245 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9246 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9247 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9250 @item show print asm-demangle
9251 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9254 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9255 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9256 @kindex set demangle-style
9257 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9258 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9259 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9263 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9264 This is the default.
9267 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9270 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9273 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9276 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9277 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9278 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9279 require further enhancement to permit that.
9282 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9284 @item show demangle-style
9285 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9287 @item set print object
9288 @itemx set print object on
9289 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9290 @cindex display derived types
9291 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9292 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9293 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9294 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9295 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9296 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9297 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9299 @item set print object off
9300 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9301 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9303 @item show print object
9304 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9306 @item set print static-members
9307 @itemx set print static-members on
9308 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9309 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9311 @item set print static-members off
9312 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9314 @item show print static-members
9315 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9317 @item set print pascal_static-members
9318 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9319 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9320 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9321 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9323 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9324 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9326 @item show print pascal_static-members
9327 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9329 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9330 @item set print vtbl
9331 @itemx set print vtbl on
9332 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9333 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9334 @cindex VTBL display
9335 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9336 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9337 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9339 @item set print vtbl off
9340 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9342 @item show print vtbl
9343 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9346 @node Pretty Printing
9347 @section Pretty Printing
9349 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9350 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9351 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9354 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9355 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9356 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9359 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9360 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9362 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9363 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9364 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9366 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9367 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9368 pretty-printers with their names.
9369 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9370 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9371 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9372 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9374 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9375 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9376 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9377 do anything special.
9379 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9383 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9387 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9388 when debugging that program.
9389 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9392 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9393 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9394 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9397 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9398 pretty-printers are selected,
9400 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9403 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9404 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9406 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9409 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9411 static npos = 4294967295,
9413 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9414 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9415 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9417 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9418 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9419 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9424 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9427 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9431 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9432 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9433 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9436 @kindex info pretty-printer
9437 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9438 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9439 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9441 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9442 whose pretty-printers to list.
9443 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9444 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9445 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9446 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9447 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9449 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9452 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9453 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9454 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9455 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9457 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9458 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9459 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9464 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9465 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9466 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9467 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9470 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9477 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9482 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9484 2 of 3 printers enabled
9485 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9492 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9494 1 of 3 printers enabled
9495 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9502 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9504 0 of 3 printers enabled
9505 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9514 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9515 as can each individual subprinter.
9518 @section Value History
9520 @cindex value history
9521 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9522 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9523 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9524 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9525 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9526 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9527 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9532 @cindex history number
9533 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9534 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9535 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9536 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9539 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9540 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9541 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9542 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9543 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9544 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9545 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9547 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9548 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9554 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9555 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9562 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9563 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9565 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9566 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9574 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9575 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9580 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9581 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9582 values} does not change the history.
9584 @item show values @var{n}
9585 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9588 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9589 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9592 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9593 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9595 @node Convenience Vars
9596 @section Convenience Variables
9598 @cindex convenience variables
9599 @cindex user-defined variables
9600 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9601 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9602 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9603 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9604 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9606 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9607 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9608 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9609 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9610 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9612 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9613 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9617 set $foo = *object_ptr
9621 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9624 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9625 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9626 value with another assignment at any time.
9628 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9629 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9630 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9631 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9634 @kindex show convenience
9635 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9636 @item show convenience
9637 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9638 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9639 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9641 @kindex init-if-undefined
9642 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9643 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9644 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9645 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9646 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9647 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9648 override default values used in a command script.
9650 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9651 any side-effects do not occur.
9654 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9655 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9656 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9660 print bar[$i++]->contents
9664 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9666 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9667 values likely to be useful.
9670 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9672 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9673 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9674 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9675 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9676 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9677 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9678 to the type of @code{$__}.
9680 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9682 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9683 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9684 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9687 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9688 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9689 the program being debugged terminates.
9692 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9693 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9696 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9697 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9700 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9701 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9702 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9703 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9704 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9707 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9708 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9709 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9710 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9711 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9714 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9715 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9716 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9717 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9718 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9719 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9723 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9724 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9725 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9727 @node Convenience Funs
9728 @section Convenience Functions
9730 @cindex convenience functions
9731 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9732 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9733 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9734 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9737 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9738 @code{Python} support.
9742 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9743 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9744 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9745 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9746 Otherwise it returns zero.
9748 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9749 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9750 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9751 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9752 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9753 regular expression support.
9755 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9756 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9757 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9758 Otherwise it returns zero.
9760 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9761 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9762 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9766 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9767 convenience functions.
9771 @kindex help function
9772 @cindex show all convenience functions
9773 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9780 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9781 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9782 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9786 @kindex info registers
9787 @item info registers
9788 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9789 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9791 @kindex info all-registers
9792 @cindex floating point registers
9793 @item info all-registers
9794 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9795 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9797 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9798 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9799 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9800 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9801 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9804 @cindex stack pointer register
9805 @cindex program counter register
9806 @cindex process status register
9807 @cindex frame pointer register
9808 @cindex standard registers
9809 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9810 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9811 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9812 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9813 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9814 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9815 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9816 you could print the program counter in hex with
9823 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9830 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9831 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9832 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9833 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9834 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9835 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9836 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9842 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9843 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9844 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9845 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9846 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9847 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9848 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9850 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9851 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9852 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9853 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9854 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9855 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9856 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9858 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9859 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9860 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9861 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9862 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9863 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9864 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9865 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9866 prints the data in both formats.
9868 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9869 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9870 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9871 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9872 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9873 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9874 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9877 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9879 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9880 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9881 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9882 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9883 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9884 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9885 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9890 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9891 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9892 value to a @code{struct} member:
9895 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9898 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9899 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9900 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9901 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9902 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9903 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9905 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9906 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9907 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9908 frame makes no difference.
9910 @node Floating Point Hardware
9911 @section Floating Point Hardware
9912 @cindex floating point
9914 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9915 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9920 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9921 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9922 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9923 the ARM and x86 machines.
9927 @section Vector Unit
9930 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9931 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9936 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9937 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9940 @node OS Information
9941 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9942 @cindex OS information
9944 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9945 you debug your program.
9947 @cindex auxiliary vector
9948 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9949 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9950 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9951 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9952 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9953 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9954 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9955 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9956 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9957 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9958 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9959 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9964 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9965 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9966 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9967 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9968 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9969 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9970 an unrecognized tag.
9973 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9974 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9975 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9976 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9977 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9978 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9979 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9983 @item info os @var{infotype}
9985 Display OS information of the requested type.
9987 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9989 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9991 @kindex info os processes
9993 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9994 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9995 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9996 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9997 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9998 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10000 @kindex info os procgroups
10002 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10003 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10004 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10005 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10006 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10007 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10008 and the process group leader is listed first.
10010 @kindex info os threads
10012 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10013 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10014 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10015 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10016 process is not listed.
10018 @kindex info os files
10020 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10021 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10022 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10023 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10025 @kindex info os sockets
10027 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10028 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10029 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10030 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10033 @kindex info os shm
10035 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10036 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10037 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10038 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10039 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10040 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10041 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10043 @kindex info os semaphores
10045 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10046 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10047 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10048 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10049 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10051 @kindex info os msg
10053 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10054 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10055 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10056 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10057 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10058 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10059 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10060 the message queue was last changed.
10062 @kindex info os modules
10064 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10065 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10066 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10067 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10072 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10073 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10074 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10075 types, this command will report an error.
10078 @node Memory Region Attributes
10079 @section Memory Region Attributes
10080 @cindex memory region attributes
10082 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10083 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10084 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10085 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10086 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10087 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10088 user can override the fetched regions.
10090 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10091 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10092 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10093 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10096 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10097 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10101 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10102 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10103 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10104 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10105 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10106 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10109 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10110 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10113 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10114 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10115 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10117 @kindex disable mem
10118 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10119 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10120 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10121 It may be enabled again later.
10124 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10125 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10129 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10133 @item Memory Region Number
10134 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10135 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10136 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10139 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10142 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10145 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10150 @subsection Attributes
10152 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10153 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10154 write accesses to a memory region.
10156 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10157 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10158 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10162 Memory is read only.
10164 Memory is write only.
10166 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10169 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10170 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10171 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10172 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10173 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10177 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10179 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10181 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10183 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10186 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10187 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10188 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10189 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10193 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10194 @c @item swbreak (default)
10197 @subsubsection Data Cache
10198 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10199 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10200 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10201 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10206 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10208 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10211 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10212 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10213 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10214 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10215 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10218 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10219 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10220 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10221 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10222 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10223 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10224 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10225 The default value is @code{on}.
10226 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10227 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10228 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10232 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10233 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10234 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10238 @c @item noverify (default)
10241 @node Dump/Restore Files
10242 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10243 @cindex dump/restore files
10244 @cindex append data to a file
10245 @cindex dump data to a file
10246 @cindex restore data from a file
10248 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10249 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10250 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10251 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10252 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10253 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10259 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10260 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10261 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10262 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10264 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10271 Motorola S-record format.
10273 Tektronix Hex format.
10276 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10277 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10278 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10282 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10283 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10284 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10285 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10286 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10289 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10290 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10291 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10292 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10293 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10295 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10296 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10297 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10298 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10299 from that location.
10301 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10302 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10303 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10304 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10308 @node Core File Generation
10309 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10310 @cindex dump core from inferior
10312 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10313 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10314 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10315 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10316 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10317 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10318 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10320 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10321 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10322 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10326 @kindex generate-core-file
10327 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10328 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10329 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10330 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10331 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10332 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10334 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10335 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10338 @node Character Sets
10339 @section Character Sets
10340 @cindex character sets
10342 @cindex translating between character sets
10343 @cindex host character set
10344 @cindex target character set
10346 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10347 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10348 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10349 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10350 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10351 @dfn{target character set}.
10353 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10354 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10355 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10356 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10357 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10358 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10359 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10360 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10361 character and string literals in expressions.
10363 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10364 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10365 target-charset} command, described below.
10367 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10371 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10372 @kindex set target-charset
10373 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10374 list of supported target character sets, type
10375 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10377 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10378 @kindex set host-charset
10379 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10381 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10382 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10383 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10384 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10385 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10387 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10388 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10389 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10391 @item set charset @var{charset}
10392 @kindex set charset
10393 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10394 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10395 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10396 for both host and target.
10399 @kindex show charset
10400 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10402 @item show host-charset
10403 @kindex show host-charset
10404 Show the name of the current host character set.
10406 @item show target-charset
10407 @kindex show target-charset
10408 Show the name of the current target character set.
10410 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10411 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10412 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10413 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10414 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10415 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10417 @item show target-wide-charset
10418 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10419 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10422 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10423 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10424 @file{charset-test.c}:
10430 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10431 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10432 char ibm1047_hello[]
10433 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10434 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10438 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10442 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10443 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10444 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10446 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10449 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10450 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10451 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10452 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10457 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10458 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10462 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10463 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10467 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10468 initial character set:
10470 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10471 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10472 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10476 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10477 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10478 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10479 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10480 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10483 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10484 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10485 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10490 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10491 literals you use in expressions:
10494 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10499 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10502 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10503 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10504 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10507 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10508 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10509 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10514 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10515 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10518 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10519 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10520 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10523 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10524 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10525 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10526 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10527 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10530 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10531 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10532 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10533 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10534 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10535 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10536 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10538 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10539 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10540 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10545 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10546 string literals you use in expressions:
10549 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10554 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10557 @node Caching Remote Data
10558 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10559 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10561 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10562 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10563 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10564 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10565 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10566 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10567 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10568 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10569 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10570 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10571 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10572 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10573 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10574 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10575 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10578 @kindex set remotecache
10579 @item set remotecache on
10580 @itemx set remotecache off
10581 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10584 @kindex show remotecache
10585 @item show remotecache
10586 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10588 @kindex set stack-cache
10589 @item set stack-cache on
10590 @itemx set stack-cache off
10591 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10592 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10594 @kindex show stack-cache
10595 @item show stack-cache
10596 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10598 @kindex info dcache
10599 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10600 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10601 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10602 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10603 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10606 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10609 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10610 @cindex dcache size
10611 @kindex set dcache size
10612 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10614 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10615 @cindex dcache line-size
10616 @kindex set dcache line-size
10617 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10618 Must be a power of 2.
10620 @item show dcache size
10621 @kindex show dcache size
10622 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10624 @item show dcache line-size
10625 @kindex show dcache line-size
10626 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10630 @node Searching Memory
10631 @section Search Memory
10632 @cindex searching memory
10634 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10635 @code{find} command.
10639 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10640 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10641 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10642 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10643 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10646 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10647 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10650 @item @var{s}, search query size
10651 The size of each search query value.
10657 halfwords (two bytes)
10661 giant words (eight bytes)
10664 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10665 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10666 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10668 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10669 value's type in the current language.
10670 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10671 pattern as a mixture of types.
10672 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10673 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10674 which is typically four bytes.
10676 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10677 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10680 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10682 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10683 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10685 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10686 number of matches found.
10688 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10690 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10692 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10698 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10699 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10700 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10701 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10702 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10707 you get during debugging:
10710 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10711 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10713 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10714 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10715 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10717 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10718 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10720 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10721 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10723 (gdb) print $numfound
10726 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10729 @node Optimized Code
10730 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10731 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10732 @cindex debugging optimized code
10734 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10735 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10736 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10737 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10738 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10739 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10740 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10742 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10743 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10744 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10745 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10747 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10748 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10749 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10750 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10751 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10752 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10754 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10755 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10756 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10757 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10758 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10761 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10762 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10765 @node Inline Functions
10766 @section Inline Functions
10767 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10769 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10770 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10771 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10772 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10773 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10774 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10775 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10776 @code{info frame} command.
10778 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10779 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10780 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10781 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10782 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10783 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10784 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10785 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10786 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10787 local variables in the caller.
10789 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10790 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10791 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10792 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10793 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10794 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10795 instructions are executed.
10797 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10798 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10799 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10800 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10802 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10803 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10807 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10808 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10809 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10810 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10811 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10812 or inside the inlined function instead.
10815 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10816 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10817 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10818 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10822 @node Tail Call Frames
10823 @section Tail Call Frames
10824 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10826 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10827 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10828 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10829 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10830 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10832 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10833 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10834 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10835 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10836 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10837 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10838 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10840 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10841 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10842 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10845 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10846 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10850 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10852 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10853 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10854 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10855 source language c++.
10856 Arglist at unknown address.
10857 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10860 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10861 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10862 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10863 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10864 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10865 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10868 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10869 @item set debug entry-values
10870 @kindex set debug entry-values
10871 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10872 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10873 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10874 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10877 @item show debug entry-values
10878 @kindex show debug entry-values
10879 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10880 values at function entry and tail calls.
10883 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10884 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10885 reference by variable @code{x}):
10888 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10889 void (*x) (void) = c;
10890 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10891 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10892 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10894 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10895 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10897 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10900 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10903 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10907 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10908 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10909 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10910 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10911 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10912 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10913 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10914 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10916 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10917 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10918 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10921 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10922 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10925 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10926 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10928 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10929 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10930 @set ARROW @click{}
10931 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10932 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10934 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10936 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10937 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10940 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10941 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10942 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10944 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10945 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10946 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10947 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10948 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10949 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10951 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10952 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10953 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10954 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10957 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10962 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10963 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10964 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10965 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10966 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10967 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10970 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10971 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10972 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10973 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10974 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10977 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10978 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10979 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10980 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10981 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10984 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10986 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10987 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10988 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10989 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10990 where it was defined.
10992 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10993 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10994 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10995 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10997 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10998 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10999 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11000 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11001 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11002 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11005 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11006 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11007 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11011 @kindex macro expand
11012 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11013 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11014 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11015 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11016 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11017 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11018 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11019 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11020 it can be any string of tokens.
11023 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11024 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11025 @cindex expand macro once
11026 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11027 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11028 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11029 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11030 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11031 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11032 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11033 can be any string of tokens.
11036 @cindex macro definition, showing
11037 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11038 @cindex macros, from debug info
11039 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11040 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11041 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11042 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11043 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11044 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11046 @kindex info macros
11047 @item info macros @var{linespec}
11048 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11049 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
11050 command-line where those definitions were established.
11052 @kindex macro define
11053 @cindex user-defined macros
11054 @cindex defining macros interactively
11055 @cindex macros, user-defined
11056 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11057 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11058 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11059 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11060 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11061 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11062 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11065 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11066 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11067 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11068 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11069 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11071 @kindex macro undef
11072 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11073 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11074 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11075 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11076 in the program being debugged.
11080 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11083 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11084 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11085 show our source files:
11090 #include "sample.h"
11093 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11098 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11100 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11102 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11109 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11110 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11111 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11112 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11113 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11114 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11118 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11122 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
11126 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
11127 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11128 GDB is free software, @dots{}
11132 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
11133 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
11134 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
11137 (@value{GDBP}) list main
11140 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11145 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11147 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11148 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
11149 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
11150 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11151 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
11152 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
11153 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
11155 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
11156 expands to: (42 + 1)
11157 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11158 expands to: once (M + 1)
11162 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11163 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11164 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11165 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11167 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11168 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11171 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11172 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11174 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11176 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11177 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11181 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11184 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11185 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11187 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11188 expands to: 28 < 42
11189 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11194 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11195 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11196 thereof) in force at each point:
11199 (@value{GDBP}) next
11201 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11202 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11203 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11204 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11205 (@value{GDBP}) next
11207 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11208 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11209 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11211 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11212 expands to: 1729 < 42
11213 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11218 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11219 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11220 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11221 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11224 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11225 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11232 @chapter Tracepoints
11233 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11234 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11236 @cindex tracepoints
11237 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11238 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11239 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11240 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11241 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11242 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11243 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11245 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11246 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11247 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11248 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11249 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11250 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11251 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11252 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11253 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11254 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11255 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11257 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11258 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11259 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11260 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11261 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11262 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11265 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11266 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11267 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11269 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11272 * Set Tracepoints::
11273 * Analyze Collected Data::
11274 * Tracepoint Variables::
11278 @node Set Tracepoints
11279 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11281 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11282 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11283 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11284 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11285 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11286 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11287 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11289 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11290 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11291 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11292 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11293 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11294 tracepoint was hit.
11296 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11297 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11298 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11301 @cindex fast tracepoints
11302 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11303 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11304 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11306 @cindex static tracepoints
11307 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11308 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11309 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11310 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11311 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11312 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11313 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11314 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11315 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11316 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11317 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11318 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11319 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11320 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11321 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11322 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11323 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11324 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11325 static tracepoint marker.
11327 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11328 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11330 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11331 conditions and actions.
11334 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11335 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11336 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11337 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11338 * Trace State Variables::
11339 * Tracepoint Actions::
11340 * Listing Tracepoints::
11341 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11342 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11343 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11346 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11347 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11350 @cindex set tracepoint
11352 @item trace @var{location}
11353 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11354 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11355 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11356 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11357 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11358 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11359 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11360 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11362 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11363 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11364 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11365 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11366 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11367 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11368 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11369 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11370 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11371 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11372 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11373 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11375 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11378 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11380 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11382 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11384 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11386 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11390 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11392 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11393 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11394 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11395 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11396 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11397 information on tracepoint conditions.
11399 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11400 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11401 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11403 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11404 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11405 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11406 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11407 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11408 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11411 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11414 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11415 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11416 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11417 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11418 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11419 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11420 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11421 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11424 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11428 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11429 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11431 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11432 @cindex set static tracepoint
11433 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11434 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11436 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11437 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11438 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11439 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11440 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11442 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11443 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11444 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11445 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11446 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11447 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11448 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11449 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11450 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11456 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11461 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11462 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11465 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11466 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11467 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11473 so you may probe the marker above with:
11476 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11479 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11480 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11481 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11482 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11483 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11484 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11485 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11486 the @samp{Data:} field.
11488 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11489 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11490 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11493 @cindex last tracepoint number
11494 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11495 @cindex tracepoint number
11496 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11497 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11499 @kindex delete tracepoint
11500 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11501 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11502 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11503 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11504 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11509 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11511 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11515 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11518 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11519 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11521 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11524 @kindex disable tracepoint
11525 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11526 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11527 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11528 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11529 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11530 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11531 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11532 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11533 next trace experiment.
11535 @kindex enable tracepoint
11536 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11537 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11538 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11539 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11540 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11541 next time a trace experiment is run.
11544 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11545 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11549 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11550 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11551 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11552 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11553 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11554 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11555 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11556 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11557 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11563 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11564 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11566 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11567 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11568 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11569 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11570 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11571 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11572 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11573 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11574 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11575 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11576 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11580 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11581 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11582 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11583 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11585 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11586 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11587 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11588 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11589 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11590 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11593 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11594 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11595 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11596 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11597 just as with breakpoints.
11599 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11600 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11601 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11602 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11603 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11604 accesses, and so forth.
11606 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11607 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11608 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11609 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11610 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11611 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11615 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11618 @node Trace State Variables
11619 @subsection Trace State Variables
11620 @cindex trace state variables
11622 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11623 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11624 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11625 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11626 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11629 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11630 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11631 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11632 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11634 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11635 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11636 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11637 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11638 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11639 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11640 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11641 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11642 variable with the same name.
11646 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11648 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11649 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11650 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11651 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11652 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11653 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11654 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11655 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11656 value. The default initial value is 0.
11658 @item info tvariables
11659 @kindex info tvariables
11660 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11661 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11664 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11665 @kindex delete tvariable
11666 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11671 @node Tracepoint Actions
11672 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11676 @cindex tracepoint actions
11677 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11678 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11679 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11680 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11681 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11682 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11683 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11684 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11685 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11686 @code{while-stepping}.
11688 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11689 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11690 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11692 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11693 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11694 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11699 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11704 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11705 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11706 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11707 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11708 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11709 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11710 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11711 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11715 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11716 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11719 > while-stepping 12
11720 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11725 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11726 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11727 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11728 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11729 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11730 special arguments are supported:
11734 Collect all registers.
11737 Collect all function arguments.
11740 Collect all local variables.
11743 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11747 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11748 tracepoint is located.
11749 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11751 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11752 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11753 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11754 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11757 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11758 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11759 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11760 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11761 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11762 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11763 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11764 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11765 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11768 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11769 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11772 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11773 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11774 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11778 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11779 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11780 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11782 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11783 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11784 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11785 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11786 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11787 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11788 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11791 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11792 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11794 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11795 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11796 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11797 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11798 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11799 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11800 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11803 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11804 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11805 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11806 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11807 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11808 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11811 > while-stepping 12
11812 > collect $regs, myglobal
11818 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11819 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11820 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11823 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11824 @kindex set default-collect
11825 @cindex default collection action
11826 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11827 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11828 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11829 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11830 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11831 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11833 @item show default-collect
11834 @kindex show default-collect
11835 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11840 @node Listing Tracepoints
11841 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11844 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11845 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11846 @cindex information about tracepoints
11847 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11848 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11849 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11850 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11851 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11852 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11854 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11859 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11862 the state about installed on target of each location
11866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11867 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11868 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11870 collect globfoo, $regs
11875 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11877 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11878 installed on target
11879 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11880 installed on target
11881 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
11882 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11883 not installed on target
11888 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11891 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11892 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11895 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11896 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11897 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11898 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11901 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11905 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11908 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11909 @item Enabled or Disabled
11910 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11911 that are not enabled.
11913 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11915 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11916 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11917 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11918 will be left blank.
11922 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11926 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11927 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11929 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11930 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11934 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11935 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11936 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11937 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11938 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11939 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11945 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11946 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11949 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11950 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11951 @cindex collected data discarded
11953 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11954 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11955 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11956 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11957 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11958 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11959 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11960 information, and so forth.
11962 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11963 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11965 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11966 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11967 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11968 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11969 needs to be stopped quickly.
11971 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11972 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11973 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11976 @cindex status of trace data collection
11977 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11979 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11983 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11986 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11987 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11988 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11989 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11990 > while-stepping 11
11994 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11995 [time passes @dots{}]
11996 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11999 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12000 @cindex disconnected tracing
12001 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12002 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12003 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12004 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12005 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12006 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12007 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12008 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12011 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12012 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12013 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12014 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12015 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12016 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12017 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12018 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12020 @item show disconnected-tracing
12021 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12022 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12026 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12027 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12028 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12029 it will continue after reconnection.
12031 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12032 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12033 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12034 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12035 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12036 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12037 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12038 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12039 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12040 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12042 @cindex circular trace buffer
12043 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12044 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12045 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12046 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12047 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12048 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12049 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12050 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12051 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12052 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12056 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12057 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12058 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12059 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12060 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12061 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12062 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12064 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12065 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12066 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12067 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12068 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12069 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12074 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12075 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12076 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12077 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12078 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12079 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12080 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12081 likes. This is also the default.
12083 @item show trace-buffer-size
12084 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12085 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12086 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12087 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12088 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12089 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12090 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12094 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12095 @kindex set trace-user
12097 @item show trace-user
12098 @kindex show trace-user
12100 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12101 @kindex set trace-notes
12102 Set the trace run's notes.
12104 @item show trace-notes
12105 @kindex show trace-notes
12106 Show the trace run's notes.
12108 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12109 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
12110 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12111 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12112 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12114 @item show trace-stop-notes
12115 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
12116 Show the trace run's stop notes.
12120 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
12121 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
12123 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
12124 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
12125 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
12126 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
12127 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
12128 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
12129 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
12130 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
12136 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
12137 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
12138 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
12139 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
12140 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
12141 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
12142 cannot be collected either.
12145 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
12146 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
12147 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
12148 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
12149 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
12150 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
12151 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
12152 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
12153 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
12154 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
12157 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12158 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12159 in a misleading way.
12162 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12163 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12164 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12165 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12166 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12167 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12168 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12172 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12173 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12174 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12175 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12176 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12177 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12178 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12179 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12180 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12181 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12185 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12186 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12187 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12188 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12189 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12190 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12191 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12196 @node Analyze Collected Data
12197 @section Using the Collected Data
12199 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12200 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12201 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12202 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12203 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12204 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12205 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12206 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12207 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12208 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12209 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12210 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12211 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12212 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12213 the buffer will fail.
12216 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12217 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12218 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12222 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12225 @cindex select trace snapshot
12226 @cindex find trace snapshot
12227 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12228 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12229 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12230 snapshot is selected.
12232 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12236 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12237 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12240 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12243 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12246 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12249 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12250 retracing earlier steps.
12252 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12253 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12254 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12255 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12256 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12258 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12259 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12260 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12261 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12262 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12264 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12265 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12266 addresses (exclusive).
12268 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12269 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12270 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12272 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12273 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12274 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12275 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12276 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12277 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12278 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12279 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12282 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12283 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12284 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12285 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12286 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12287 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12288 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12289 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12290 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12291 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12292 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12293 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12294 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12295 tracepoint as the current one.
12297 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12298 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12299 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12300 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12301 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12304 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12305 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12306 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12307 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12311 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12312 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12313 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12314 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12315 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12316 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12317 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12318 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12319 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12320 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12321 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12324 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12328 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12329 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12330 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12340 @subsection @code{tdump}
12342 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12343 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12345 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12346 the current trace snapshot.
12349 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12350 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12351 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12352 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12355 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12357 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12358 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12360 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12362 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12363 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12364 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12368 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12371 d7 0x380035 3670069
12372 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12373 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12375 a3 0x322000 3284992
12376 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12377 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12378 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12379 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12381 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12385 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12392 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12397 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12398 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12399 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12400 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12402 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12403 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12404 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12405 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12406 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12407 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12408 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12409 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12410 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12411 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12413 @node save tracepoints
12414 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12415 @kindex save tracepoints
12416 @kindex save-tracepoints
12417 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12419 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12420 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12421 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12422 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12423 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12424 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12426 @node Tracepoint Variables
12427 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12428 @cindex tracepoint variables
12429 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12432 @vindex $trace_frame
12433 @item (int) $trace_frame
12434 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12435 snapshot is selected.
12437 @vindex $tracepoint
12438 @item (int) $tracepoint
12439 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12441 @vindex $trace_line
12442 @item (int) $trace_line
12443 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12445 @vindex $trace_file
12446 @item (char []) $trace_file
12447 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12449 @vindex $trace_func
12450 @item (char []) $trace_func
12451 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12454 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12455 use @code{output} instead.
12457 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12458 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12459 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12460 which are managed by the target.
12463 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12465 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12466 > output $trace_file
12467 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12473 @section Using Trace Files
12474 @cindex trace files
12476 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12477 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12478 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12479 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12480 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12485 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12486 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12487 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12488 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12489 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12490 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12491 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12492 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12493 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12494 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12495 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12496 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12497 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12498 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12499 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12501 @kindex target tfile
12505 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12506 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12507 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12508 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12509 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12510 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12511 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12512 @var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12516 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12517 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
12518 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
12519 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12520 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
12521 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12525 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12526 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12534 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12537 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12538 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12539 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12543 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12544 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12545 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12546 mapped by asking the inferior.
12547 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12550 @node How Overlays Work
12551 @section How Overlays Work
12552 @cindex mapped overlays
12553 @cindex unmapped overlays
12554 @cindex load address, overlay's
12555 @cindex mapped address
12556 @cindex overlay area
12558 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12559 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12560 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12561 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12562 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12564 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12565 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12566 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12567 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12568 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12569 largest overlay as well.
12571 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12572 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12573 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12576 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12577 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12578 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12582 Data Instruction Larger
12583 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12584 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12586 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12587 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12588 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12589 | and heap | | | | | |
12590 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12591 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12592 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12594 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12595 address | | | | | |
12596 | overlay | <-' | | |
12597 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12598 | | <---. | | load address
12599 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12606 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12610 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12611 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12612 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12613 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12614 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12615 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12616 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12617 program and the overlay area.
12619 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12620 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12621 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12622 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12623 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12624 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12625 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12627 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12628 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12629 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12634 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12635 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12636 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12637 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12640 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12641 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12642 your program's performance.
12645 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12646 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12647 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12648 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12649 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12650 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12651 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12654 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12655 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12656 instruction and data spaces.
12660 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12661 improved in many ways:
12666 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12667 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12668 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12669 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12670 area in the usual way.
12673 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12674 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12677 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12678 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12679 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12680 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12681 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12682 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12683 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12688 @node Overlay Commands
12689 @section Overlay Commands
12691 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12692 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12693 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12694 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12695 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12696 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12698 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12699 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12704 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12705 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12706 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12707 overlay support is disabled.
12709 @item overlay manual
12710 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12711 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12712 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12713 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12714 commands described below.
12716 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12717 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12718 @cindex map an overlay
12719 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12720 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12721 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12722 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12723 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12724 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12726 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12727 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12728 @cindex unmap an overlay
12729 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12730 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12731 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12732 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12735 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12736 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12737 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12738 Overlay Debugging}.
12740 @item overlay load-target
12741 @itemx overlay load
12742 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12743 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12744 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12745 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12746 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12747 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12749 @item overlay list-overlays
12750 @itemx overlay list
12751 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12752 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12753 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12757 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12758 of the function the address falls in:
12761 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12762 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12765 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12766 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12767 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12768 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12771 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12772 No sections are mapped.
12773 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12774 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12777 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12781 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12782 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12783 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12784 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12785 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12788 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12789 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12790 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12791 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12792 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12796 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12797 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12798 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12799 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12801 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12802 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12803 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12804 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12805 breakpoints properly.
12809 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12810 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12811 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12813 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12814 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12815 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12816 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12817 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12818 current state of the overlays.
12820 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12821 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12825 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12826 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12831 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12834 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12835 unsigned long size;
12837 /* The overlay's load address. */
12840 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12842 unsigned long mapped;
12846 @item @code{_novlys}:
12847 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12848 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12852 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12853 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12854 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12855 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12856 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12859 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12860 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12861 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12862 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12863 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12864 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12865 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12866 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12867 are not being executed.
12869 @node Overlay Sample Program
12870 @section Overlay Sample Program
12871 @cindex overlay example program
12873 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12874 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12875 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12876 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12877 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12878 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12879 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12881 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12882 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12883 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12884 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12888 The main program file.
12890 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12895 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12898 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12899 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12902 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12903 cross-compiler like this:
12906 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12907 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12908 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12909 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12910 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12911 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12912 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12913 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12916 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12917 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12918 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12922 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12925 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12926 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12927 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12928 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12929 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12930 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12932 @cindex working language
12933 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12934 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12935 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12936 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12937 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12941 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12942 * Show:: Displaying the language
12943 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12944 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12945 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12949 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12951 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12952 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12953 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12954 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12955 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12958 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12959 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12960 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12961 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12962 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12963 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12964 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12965 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12966 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12967 Displaying the Language}.
12969 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12970 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12971 another language. In that case, make the
12972 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12973 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12974 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12977 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12978 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12979 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12983 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12985 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12986 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13004 C@t{++} source file
13010 Objective-C source file
13014 Fortran source file
13017 Modula-2 source file
13021 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13022 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13025 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13026 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13029 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13031 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13032 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13035 @kindex set language
13036 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13037 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13038 a language, such as
13039 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13040 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13042 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13043 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13044 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13045 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13046 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13047 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13055 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13056 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13057 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13058 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13060 @node Automatically
13061 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13063 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13064 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13065 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13066 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13067 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13068 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13069 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13070 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13071 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13073 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13074 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13075 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13076 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13077 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13080 @section Displaying the Language
13082 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13083 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13086 @item show language
13087 @kindex show language
13088 Display the current working language. This is the
13089 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13090 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13093 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13094 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13095 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13096 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13097 information listed here.
13100 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13101 Display the source language of this source file.
13102 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13103 information listed here.
13106 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13107 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13108 with a language explicitly:
13111 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13112 @kindex set extension-language
13113 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13114 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13116 @item info extensions
13117 @kindex info extensions
13118 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13122 @section Type and Range Checking
13124 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
13125 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
13126 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
13127 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
13128 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
13129 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
13130 errors when your program is running.
13132 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
13133 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
13134 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
13135 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
13138 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
13139 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
13142 @cindex type checking
13143 @cindex checks, type
13144 @node Type Checking
13145 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
13147 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
13148 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
13149 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
13150 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
13153 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
13155 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
13158 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13159 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13162 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13163 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13165 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13166 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13167 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13168 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13169 expressions like the second example above.
13171 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13172 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13173 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13174 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13175 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13176 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13178 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13180 @kindex set check type
13181 @kindex show check type
13183 @item set check type on
13184 @itemx set check type off
13185 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13186 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13187 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13189 @item show check type
13190 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13191 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13194 @cindex range checking
13195 @cindex checks, range
13196 @node Range Checking
13197 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13199 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13200 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13201 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13202 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13203 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13205 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13206 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13207 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13208 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13210 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13211 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13212 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13213 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13214 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13215 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13218 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13221 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13222 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13223 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13225 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13227 @kindex set check range
13228 @kindex show check range
13230 @item set check range auto
13231 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13232 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13235 @item set check range on
13236 @itemx set check range off
13237 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13238 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13239 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13240 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13242 @item set check range warn
13243 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13244 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13245 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13246 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13250 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13251 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13254 @node Supported Languages
13255 @section Supported Languages
13257 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13258 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13259 @c This is false ...
13260 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13261 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13262 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13263 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13266 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13267 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13268 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13269 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13270 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13271 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13272 language reference or tutorial.
13275 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13278 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13279 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13280 * Fortran:: Fortran
13282 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13287 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13289 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13290 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13292 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13293 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13297 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13298 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13299 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13300 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13301 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13302 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13303 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13306 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13307 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13308 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13309 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13310 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13311 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13312 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13313 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13317 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13319 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13321 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13322 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13323 often defined on groups of types.
13325 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13330 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13331 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13334 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13335 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13338 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13341 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13346 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13347 in order of increasing precedence:
13351 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13352 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13353 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13356 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13357 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13360 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13361 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13362 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13363 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13364 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13367 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13368 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13372 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13375 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13378 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13381 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13384 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13387 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13388 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13390 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13391 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13392 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13393 and non-zero for true.
13396 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13399 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13402 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13405 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13406 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13407 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13411 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13412 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13413 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13414 operation takes place.
13417 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13421 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13423 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13424 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13425 to examine the address
13426 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13430 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13431 precedence as @code{++}.
13434 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13438 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13443 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13444 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13445 pointer based on the stored type information.
13446 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13449 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13452 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13453 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13456 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13459 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13460 and @code{class} types.
13463 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13464 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13468 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13469 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13470 predefined meaning.
13473 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13475 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13477 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13482 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13483 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13484 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13485 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13489 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13490 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13491 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13492 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13493 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13494 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13495 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13496 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13497 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13501 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13502 integral equivalents.
13505 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13506 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13507 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13508 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13509 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13510 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13511 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13512 @samp{\n} for newline.
13514 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13515 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13516 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13517 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13520 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13521 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13522 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13523 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13526 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13527 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13528 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13531 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13532 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13535 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13536 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13537 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13538 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13541 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13542 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13544 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13545 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13547 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13548 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13549 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13550 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13552 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13553 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13554 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13555 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13556 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13557 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13558 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13559 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13564 @cindex member functions
13566 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13569 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13572 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13573 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13575 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13576 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13577 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13578 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13579 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13581 @cindex call overloaded functions
13582 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13583 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13585 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13586 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13587 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13588 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13589 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13592 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13593 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13594 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13595 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13596 number of function arguments.
13598 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13599 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13600 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13602 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13603 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13605 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13608 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13609 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13611 @cindex reference declarations
13613 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13614 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13617 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13618 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13619 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13620 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13621 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13624 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13625 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13626 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13627 necessary, for example in an expression like
13628 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13629 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13630 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13633 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13638 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13640 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13642 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13643 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13644 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13645 selects the working language.
13647 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13648 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13649 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13650 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13651 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13652 for further details.
13655 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13657 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13659 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13660 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13661 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13662 constants to pointers.
13664 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13665 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13666 that is not itself an array.
13669 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13671 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13672 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13673 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13674 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13676 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13677 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13680 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13681 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13683 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13685 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13686 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13689 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13690 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13691 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13692 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13693 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13694 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13696 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13697 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13698 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13699 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13701 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13703 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13705 @itemx catch rethrow
13707 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13708 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13710 @cindex inheritance
13711 @item ptype @var{typename}
13712 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13714 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13716 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13717 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13718 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13719 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13720 multiple inheritance is in use.
13722 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13723 @item set print demangle
13724 @itemx show print demangle
13725 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13726 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13727 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13728 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13729 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13731 @item set print object
13732 @itemx show print object
13733 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13734 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13736 @item set print vtbl
13737 @itemx show print vtbl
13738 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13739 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13740 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13741 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13743 @kindex set overload-resolution
13744 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13745 @item set overload-resolution on
13746 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13747 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13748 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13749 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13750 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13751 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13753 @item set overload-resolution off
13754 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13755 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13756 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13757 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13758 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13759 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13762 @kindex show overload-resolution
13763 @item show overload-resolution
13764 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13766 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13767 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13768 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13769 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13770 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13771 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13772 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13775 @node Decimal Floating Point
13776 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13777 @cindex decimal floating point format
13779 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13780 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13781 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13782 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13784 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13785 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13786 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13789 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13790 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13791 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13793 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13794 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13795 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13797 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13798 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13799 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13805 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13806 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13807 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13812 @cindex Go (programming language)
13813 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13814 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13816 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13819 @cindex current Go package
13820 @item The current Go package
13821 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13822 specifying global variables and functions.
13824 For example, given the program:
13828 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13834 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13838 (gdb) p main.myglob
13841 @cindex builtin Go types
13842 @item Builtin Go types
13843 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13846 @cindex builtin Go functions
13847 @item Builtin Go functions
13848 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13849 function and handles it internally.
13851 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13852 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13853 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13854 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13855 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13859 @subsection Objective-C
13861 @cindex Objective-C
13862 This section provides information about some commands and command
13863 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13864 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13865 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13868 * Method Names in Commands::
13869 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13872 @node Method Names in Commands
13873 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13875 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13876 names as line specifications:
13878 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13879 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13880 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13881 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13882 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13886 @item @code{info line}
13891 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13894 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13897 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13898 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13899 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13900 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13901 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13902 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13906 break -[Fruit create]
13909 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13913 list +[NSText initialize]
13916 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13917 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13918 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13919 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13925 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13926 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13927 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13928 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13931 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13932 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13935 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13938 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13939 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13940 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13941 @kindex print-object
13942 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13944 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13947 print -[@var{object} hash]
13950 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13951 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13953 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13954 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13955 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13956 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13957 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13958 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13961 @subsection OpenCL C
13964 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13967 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13968 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13969 * OpenCL C Operators::
13972 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13973 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13975 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13976 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13977 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13978 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13979 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13981 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13982 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13984 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13985 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13986 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13987 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13989 @node OpenCL C Operators
13990 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13992 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13993 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13997 @subsection Fortran
13998 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14000 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14001 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14003 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14004 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14005 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14006 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14007 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14011 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14012 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14013 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14016 @node Fortran Operators
14017 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14019 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14021 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14022 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14023 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14027 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14031 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14032 represent a section of array.
14035 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14036 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14037 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14041 @node Fortran Defaults
14042 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14044 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14046 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14047 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14048 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14049 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14051 @node Special Fortran Commands
14052 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14054 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14056 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14057 such as displaying common blocks.
14060 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14061 @kindex info common
14062 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14063 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14064 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14065 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14072 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14073 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14074 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14075 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14078 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14079 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14080 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14083 @subsection Modula-2
14085 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14087 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14088 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14089 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14090 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14091 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14094 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14096 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14097 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14098 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14099 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14100 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14101 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14102 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14103 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14104 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14108 @subsubsection Operators
14109 @cindex Modula-2 operators
14111 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14112 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14113 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14114 following definitions hold:
14119 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
14123 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
14126 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
14129 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
14133 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
14136 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
14139 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
14143 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
14144 increasing precedence:
14148 Function argument or array index separator.
14151 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
14155 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
14159 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14160 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14161 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14163 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14164 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14165 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14166 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14170 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14171 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14174 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14177 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14180 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14183 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14184 and difference on set types.
14187 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14191 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14192 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14195 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14196 precedence as @code{*}.
14199 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14202 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14205 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14209 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14210 precedence as @code{^}.
14213 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14216 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14220 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14224 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14225 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14226 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14227 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14231 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14232 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14233 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14235 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14236 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14241 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14244 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14247 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14250 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14251 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14252 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14255 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14258 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14264 represents a variable.
14267 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14268 explanation of the function for details.
14271 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14275 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14278 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14279 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14282 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14285 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14287 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14288 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14291 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14292 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14295 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14296 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14298 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14299 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14302 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14304 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14305 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14308 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14309 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14310 there. Returns the new set.
14313 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14316 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14319 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14322 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14323 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14324 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14325 integral, character and enumerated types.
14327 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14328 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14330 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14331 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14333 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14334 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14336 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14337 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14341 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14342 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14346 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14348 @subsubsection Constants
14350 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14356 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14357 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14358 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14359 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14362 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14363 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14364 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14365 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14366 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14370 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14371 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14372 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14373 followed by a @samp{C}.
14376 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14377 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14378 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14379 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14383 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14386 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14390 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14393 Set constants are not yet supported.
14397 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14398 @cindex Modula-2 types
14400 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14401 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14402 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14403 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14404 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14405 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14407 The first example contains the following section of code:
14416 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14417 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14420 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14422 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14424 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14426 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14431 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14435 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14439 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14442 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14443 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14447 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14448 expressions using the debugger.
14450 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14451 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14455 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14459 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14460 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14463 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14464 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14465 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14468 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14472 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14473 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14481 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14482 and value of a variable.
14485 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14487 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14488 type = [blue..yellow]
14492 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14493 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14494 their @code{C} counterparts.
14498 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14504 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14505 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14506 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14507 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14510 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14511 pointer types as shown in this example:
14515 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14522 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14525 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14526 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14529 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14530 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14541 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14542 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14544 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14548 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14552 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14553 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14556 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14561 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14562 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14564 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14565 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14566 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14567 selected the working language.
14569 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14570 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14571 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14572 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14575 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14576 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14578 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14579 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14583 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14584 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14585 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14586 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14587 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14588 returned a pointer.)
14591 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14592 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14593 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14594 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14597 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14601 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14605 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14606 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14609 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14612 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14614 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14618 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14619 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14622 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14623 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14626 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14627 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14629 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14630 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14633 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14635 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14636 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14638 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14639 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14642 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14645 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14646 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14651 @var{module} . @var{id}
14652 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14656 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14657 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14658 identifier within your program, except another module.
14660 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14661 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14662 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14663 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14665 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14666 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14667 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14668 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14669 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14673 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14675 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14676 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14677 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14678 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14679 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14680 analogue in Modula-2.
14682 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14683 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14684 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14685 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14686 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14687 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14689 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14690 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14691 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14697 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14698 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14699 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14700 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14704 @cindex expressions in Ada
14706 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14707 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14709 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14710 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14711 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14712 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14713 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14714 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14716 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14719 @node Ada Mode Intro
14720 @subsubsection Introduction
14721 @cindex Ada mode, general
14723 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14724 syntax, with some extensions.
14725 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14729 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14730 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14731 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14732 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14735 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14736 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14739 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14742 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14743 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14744 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14745 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14746 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14748 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14749 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14750 was translated from an Ada source file.
14752 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14753 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14754 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14755 middle (to allow based literals).
14757 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14758 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14759 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14760 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14761 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14762 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14764 @node Omissions from Ada
14765 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14766 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14768 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14772 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14776 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14777 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14780 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14783 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14789 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14790 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14793 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14794 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14802 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14803 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14804 not currently available.
14807 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14808 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14809 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14810 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14811 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14812 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14813 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14814 indeterminate values.
14817 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14818 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14819 are not implemented.
14822 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14823 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14824 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14825 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14826 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14829 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14830 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14831 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14832 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14833 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14834 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14838 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14839 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14840 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14841 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14842 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14843 declared to have a type such as:
14846 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14848 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14852 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14856 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14857 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14860 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14861 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14862 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14863 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14864 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14865 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14866 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14867 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14870 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14873 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14874 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14875 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14876 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14877 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14878 the proper resolution.
14881 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14884 Entry calls are not implemented.
14887 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14888 formats are not supported.
14891 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14894 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14895 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14897 Should your program
14898 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14899 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14902 @node Additions to Ada
14903 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14904 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14906 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14907 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14911 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14912 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14913 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14914 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14915 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14916 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14917 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14918 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14921 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14922 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14923 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14926 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14927 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14930 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14931 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14934 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14935 additions specific to Ada:
14939 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14940 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14943 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14944 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14948 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14949 the value of its right-hand operand.
14950 This allows, for example,
14951 complex conditional breaks:
14954 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14955 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14959 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14960 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14961 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14962 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14963 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14964 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14965 in strings. For example,
14967 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14970 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14974 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14975 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14979 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14983 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14984 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14985 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14986 of 3 might print as
14993 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14997 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14998 multi-character subsequence of
14999 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15000 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15001 in place of @t{a'length}.
15004 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15005 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15006 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15007 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15008 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15009 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15012 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15016 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15017 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15018 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15019 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15024 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15025 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15027 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15028 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15029 before reaching the main procedure.
15030 As defined in the Ada Reference
15031 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15032 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15033 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15034 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15037 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15038 @cindex Ada, tasking
15040 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15041 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15046 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15053 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15054 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15055 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15056 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15057 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15058 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15063 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15064 task currently being inspected.
15068 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
15074 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
15077 The base priority of the task.
15080 Current state of the task.
15084 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
15088 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
15089 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
15092 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
15093 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
15094 terminated themselves.
15096 @item Child Activation Wait
15097 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
15099 @item Accept Statement
15100 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
15102 @item Waiting on entry call
15103 The task is waiting on an entry call.
15105 @item Async Select Wait
15106 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
15110 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
15113 @item Child Termination Wait
15114 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
15115 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
15116 waiting on a terminate Phase.
15118 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
15119 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
15120 finish terminating.
15122 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
15123 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
15127 Name of the task in the program.
15131 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
15132 @item info task @var{taskno}
15133 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
15134 the following example:
15139 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15140 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15141 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15142 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
15143 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
15144 Ada Task: 0x807c468
15147 Parent: 1 (main_task)
15153 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
15154 @cindex current Ada task ID
15155 This command prints the ID of the current task.
15161 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15162 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15163 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15164 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15165 (@value{GDBP}) task
15166 [Current task is 2]
15169 @item task @var{taskno}
15170 @cindex Ada task switching
15171 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15172 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15173 from the current task to the given task.
15179 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15180 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15181 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15182 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15183 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15184 [Switching to task 1]
15185 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15187 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15188 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15189 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15190 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15191 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15194 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15195 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15196 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15197 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15198 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15199 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15200 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15201 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15202 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15204 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15205 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15206 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15207 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15208 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15210 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15211 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15214 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15215 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15216 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15224 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15225 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15226 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15227 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15228 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15229 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15230 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15231 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15232 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15237 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15239 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15240 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15241 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15242 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15243 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15244 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15248 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15249 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15250 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15252 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15253 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15254 the platform being used.
15255 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15256 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15259 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15260 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15261 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15262 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15263 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15264 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15266 @node Ravenscar Profile
15267 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15268 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15270 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15271 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15275 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15276 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15277 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15278 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15279 Profile. This is the default.
15281 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15282 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15283 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15284 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15285 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15286 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15287 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15289 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15290 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15291 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15292 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15297 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15298 @cindex Ada, problems
15300 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15301 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15303 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15304 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15308 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15309 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15312 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15313 argument lists are treated as positional).
15316 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15319 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15320 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15324 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15325 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15326 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15327 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15328 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15329 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15330 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15331 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15332 you can usually resolve the confusion
15333 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15334 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15337 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15338 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15339 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15340 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15341 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15344 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15345 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15348 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15349 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15350 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15351 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15352 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15353 This is the default.
15355 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15356 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15357 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15358 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15359 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15360 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15361 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15365 @node Unsupported Languages
15366 @section Unsupported Languages
15368 @cindex unsupported languages
15369 @cindex minimal language
15370 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15371 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15372 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15373 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15374 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15375 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15377 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15378 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15382 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15384 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15385 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15386 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15387 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15388 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15389 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15390 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15392 @cindex symbol names
15393 @cindex names of symbols
15394 @cindex quoting names
15395 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15396 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15397 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15398 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15399 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15400 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15401 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15402 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15409 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15412 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15413 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15414 @kindex set case-sensitive
15415 @item set case-sensitive on
15416 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15417 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15418 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15419 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15420 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15421 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15422 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15423 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15424 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15425 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15426 case-insensitive matches.
15428 @kindex show case-sensitive
15429 @item show case-sensitive
15430 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15433 @kindex set print type methods
15434 @item set print type methods
15435 @itemx set print type methods on
15436 @itemx set print type methods off
15437 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15438 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15439 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15440 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15441 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15442 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15444 @kindex show print type methods
15445 @item show print type methods
15446 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15449 @kindex set print type typedefs
15450 @item set print type typedefs
15451 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15452 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15454 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15455 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15456 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15457 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15458 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15459 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15460 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15461 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15464 @kindex show print type typedefs
15465 @item show print type typedefs
15466 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15469 @kindex info address
15470 @cindex address of a symbol
15471 @item info address @var{symbol}
15472 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15473 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15474 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15477 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15478 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15479 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15481 @kindex info symbol
15482 @cindex symbol from address
15483 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15484 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15485 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15486 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15487 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15490 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15491 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15495 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15496 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15498 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15499 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15502 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15503 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15504 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15505 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15509 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15510 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15511 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15512 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15514 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15515 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15516 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15518 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15519 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15520 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15521 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15522 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15523 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15524 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15525 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15526 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15528 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15529 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15530 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15531 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15532 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15535 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15536 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15537 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15539 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15540 Available flags are:
15544 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15545 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15546 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15549 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15552 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15553 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15556 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15557 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15558 names are substituted when printing other types.
15561 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15562 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15566 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15567 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15568 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15569 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15571 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15572 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15573 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15574 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15575 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15576 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15577 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15578 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15580 For example, for this variable declaration:
15583 typedef double real_t;
15584 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15585 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15587 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15591 the two commands give this output:
15595 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15597 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15598 type = struct complex @{
15602 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15603 type = struct complex
15604 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15605 type = struct complex
15606 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15607 type = struct complex @{
15611 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15613 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15619 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15620 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15622 @cindex incomplete type
15623 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15624 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15625 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15626 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15627 given these declarations:
15631 struct foo *fooptr;
15635 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15638 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15639 $1 = <incomplete type>
15643 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15644 completely specified.
15647 @item info types @var{regexp}
15649 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15650 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15651 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15652 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15653 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15654 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15655 name is @code{value}.
15657 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15658 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15659 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15661 @kindex info type-printers
15662 @item info type-printers
15663 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15664 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15665 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15666 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15669 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15671 @kindex enable type-printer
15672 @kindex disable type-printer
15673 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15674 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15675 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15678 @cindex local variables
15679 @item info scope @var{location}
15680 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15681 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15682 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15683 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15684 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15687 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15688 Scope for command_line_handler:
15689 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15690 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15691 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15692 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15693 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15694 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15695 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15699 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15700 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15703 @kindex info source
15705 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15706 the function containing the current point of execution:
15709 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15711 the directory it was compiled in,
15713 its length, in lines,
15715 which programming language it is written in,
15717 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15718 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15720 whether the debugging information includes information about
15721 preprocessor macros.
15725 @kindex info sources
15727 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15728 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15729 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15731 @kindex info functions
15732 @item info functions
15733 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15735 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15736 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15737 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15738 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15739 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15740 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15741 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15742 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15744 @kindex info variables
15745 @item info variables
15746 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15747 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15749 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15750 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15751 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15754 @kindex info classes
15755 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15757 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15758 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15759 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15762 @kindex info selectors
15763 @item info selectors
15764 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15765 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15766 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15770 This was never implemented.
15771 @kindex info methods
15773 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15774 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15775 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15776 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15777 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15778 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15779 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15780 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15783 @cindex opaque data types
15784 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15785 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15786 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15787 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15788 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15789 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15790 another source file. The default is on.
15792 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15793 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15795 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15796 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15797 is printed as follows:
15799 @{<no data fields>@}
15802 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15803 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15804 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15806 @kindex maint print symbols
15807 @cindex symbol dump
15808 @kindex maint print psymbols
15809 @cindex partial symbol dump
15810 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15811 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15812 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15813 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15814 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15815 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15816 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15817 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15818 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15819 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15820 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15821 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15822 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15823 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15824 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15825 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15826 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15828 @kindex maint info symtabs
15829 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15830 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15831 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15832 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15833 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15834 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15835 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15837 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15838 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15839 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15840 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15841 structure in more detail. For example:
15844 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15845 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15846 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15847 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15848 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15851 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15852 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15853 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15854 dependencies (none)
15857 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15861 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15862 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15863 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15864 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15865 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15868 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15869 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15871 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15872 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15873 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15874 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15875 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15878 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15879 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15880 debugformat DWARF 2
15889 @chapter Altering Execution
15891 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15892 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15893 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15894 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15897 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15898 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15899 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15902 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15903 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15904 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15905 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15906 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15907 * Patching:: Patching your program
15911 @section Assignment to Variables
15914 @cindex setting variables
15915 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15916 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15923 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15924 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15925 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15926 information on operators in supported languages.
15928 @kindex set variable
15929 @cindex variables, setting
15930 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15931 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15932 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15933 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15934 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15936 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15937 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15938 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15939 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15940 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15941 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15942 command @code{set width}:
15945 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15947 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15949 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15950 Invalid syntax in expression.
15954 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15955 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15958 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15961 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15962 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15963 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15964 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15965 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15966 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15970 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15974 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15978 The program being debugged has been started already.
15979 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15980 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15981 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15982 Invalid bfd target.
15983 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15984 The current BFD target is "=4".
15989 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15990 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15994 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15997 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15998 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15999 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
16000 same length or shorter.
16001 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
16002 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
16004 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
16005 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
16006 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
16007 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
16008 and representation in memory), and
16011 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
16015 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
16018 @section Continuing at a Different Address
16020 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
16021 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
16022 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
16026 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
16027 @item jump @var{linespec}
16028 @itemx j @var{linespec}
16029 @itemx jump @var{location}
16030 @itemx j @var{location}
16031 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
16032 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
16033 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
16034 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
16035 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
16036 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16038 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
16039 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
16040 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
16041 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
16042 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
16043 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
16044 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
16045 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
16046 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
16049 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
16050 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
16051 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
16052 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
16053 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
16061 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
16062 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
16063 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
16065 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
16066 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
16067 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
16072 @section Giving your Program a Signal
16073 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
16077 @item signal @var{signal}
16078 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
16079 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
16080 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
16081 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16083 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
16084 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
16085 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16086 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
16089 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
16090 after executing the command.
16094 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
16095 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
16096 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
16097 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
16098 passes the signal directly to your program.
16102 @section Returning from a Function
16105 @cindex returning from a function
16108 @itemx return @var{expression}
16109 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
16110 command. If you give an
16111 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
16115 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
16116 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
16117 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
16118 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
16120 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
16121 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
16122 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
16123 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
16126 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
16127 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
16128 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
16129 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
16130 selected stack frame returns naturally.
16132 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
16133 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
16134 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
16135 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
16136 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
16137 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
16138 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
16139 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
16140 assignment into the right register(s).
16142 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
16143 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
16144 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
16145 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
16146 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
16147 into a @code{long long int}:
16150 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
16152 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16153 Make func return now? (y or n) y
16154 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
16155 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
16159 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16160 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16161 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16162 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16163 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16164 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16165 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16166 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16169 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16170 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16171 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16172 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16173 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16174 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16175 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16180 @section Calling Program Functions
16183 @cindex calling functions
16184 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16185 @item print @var{expr}
16186 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16187 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16191 @item call @var{expr}
16192 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16195 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16196 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16197 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16198 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16199 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16203 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16204 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16205 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16206 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16208 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16209 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16210 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16211 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16212 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16213 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16214 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16215 in that case is controlled by the
16216 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16219 @item set unwindonsignal
16220 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16221 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16222 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16223 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16224 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16225 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16226 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16227 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16230 @item show unwindonsignal
16231 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16232 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16235 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16236 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16237 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16238 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16239 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16240 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16241 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16242 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16243 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16244 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16246 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16247 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16248 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16253 @cindex weak alias functions
16254 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16255 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16256 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16257 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16258 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16259 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16263 @section Patching Programs
16265 @cindex patching binaries
16266 @cindex writing into executables
16267 @cindex writing into corefiles
16269 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16270 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16271 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16272 patching your program's binary.
16274 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16275 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16276 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16282 @itemx set write off
16283 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16284 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16285 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16287 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16288 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16289 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16293 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16294 as well as reading.
16298 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16300 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16301 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16302 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16303 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16306 * Files:: Commands to specify files
16307 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16308 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16309 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16310 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16311 * Data Files:: GDB data files
16315 @section Commands to Specify Files
16317 @cindex symbol table
16318 @cindex core dump file
16320 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16321 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16322 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16323 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16325 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16326 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16327 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16328 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16329 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16330 new files are useful.
16333 @cindex executable file
16335 @item file @var{filename}
16336 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16337 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16338 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16339 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16340 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16341 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16342 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16343 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16345 @cindex unlinked object files
16346 @cindex patching object files
16347 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16348 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16349 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16350 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16351 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16352 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16353 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16354 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16357 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16358 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16361 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16362 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16363 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16364 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16365 discard information on the executable file.
16367 @kindex symbol-file
16368 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16369 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16370 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16371 table and program to run from the same file.
16373 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16374 program's symbol table.
16376 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16377 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16378 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16379 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16382 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16385 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16386 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16387 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16388 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16389 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16390 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16393 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16394 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16395 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16396 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16397 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16399 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16400 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16401 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16402 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16403 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16404 Warnings and Messages}.)
16406 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16407 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16408 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16409 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16413 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16414 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16415 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16416 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16417 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16418 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16419 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16420 entire symbol table available.
16422 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16423 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16424 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16425 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16426 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16427 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16431 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16433 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16434 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16435 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16436 executable file itself for other parts.
16438 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16441 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16442 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16443 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16444 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16445 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16447 @kindex add-symbol-file
16448 @cindex dynamic linking
16449 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16450 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16451 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16452 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16453 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16454 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16455 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16456 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16457 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16458 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16459 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16460 @var{address} as an expression.
16462 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16463 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16464 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16465 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16466 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16468 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16469 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16470 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16471 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16472 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16473 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16474 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16475 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16476 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16480 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16481 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16483 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16484 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16486 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16487 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16491 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16492 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16493 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16494 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16495 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16496 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16497 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16498 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16499 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16502 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16504 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16505 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16506 @cindex load symbols from memory
16507 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16508 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16509 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16510 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16511 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16512 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16513 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16514 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16515 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16517 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16519 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16520 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16521 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16522 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16523 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16524 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16525 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16526 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16527 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16528 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16531 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16532 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16533 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16534 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16535 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16536 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16537 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16541 @kindex info target
16544 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16545 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16546 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16547 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16548 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16551 @kindex maint info sections
16552 @item maint info sections
16553 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16554 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16555 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16556 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16557 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16558 may be arbitrarily combined):
16562 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16563 @item @var{sections}
16564 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16565 @item @var{section-flags}
16566 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16567 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16570 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16571 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16573 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16574 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16576 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16578 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16580 Section contains executable code only.
16582 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16584 Section will reside in ROM.
16586 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16588 Section is not empty.
16590 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16591 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16592 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16593 COFF shared library information.
16595 Section contains common symbols.
16598 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16599 @cindex read-only sections
16600 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16601 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16602 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16603 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16604 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16605 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16606 enhancement to debugging performance.
16608 The default is off.
16610 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16611 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16612 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16613 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16615 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16616 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16619 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16620 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16621 name and remembers it that way.
16623 @cindex shared libraries
16624 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16625 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16626 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16628 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16629 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16631 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16632 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16633 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16634 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16635 debugging a core file).
16637 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16638 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16640 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16641 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16642 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16644 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16645 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16646 particularly large or there are many of them.
16648 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16652 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16653 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16654 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16655 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16656 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16657 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16658 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16659 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16661 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16662 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16663 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16664 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16665 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16666 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16667 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16668 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16669 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16671 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16672 @item show auto-solib-add
16673 Display the current autoloading mode.
16676 @cindex load shared library
16677 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16681 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16683 @item info share @var{regex}
16684 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16685 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16686 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16687 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16689 @kindex sharedlibrary
16691 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16692 @itemx share @var{regex}
16693 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16694 Unix regular expression.
16695 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16696 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16697 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16700 @item nosharedlibrary
16701 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16702 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16703 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16704 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16705 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16709 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16710 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16711 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16714 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16715 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16716 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16717 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16720 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16721 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16722 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16723 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16724 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16727 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16728 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16729 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16730 library events happen.
16733 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16734 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16735 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16736 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16737 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16738 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16739 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16742 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16743 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16744 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16745 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16746 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16749 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16750 @cindex system root, alternate
16751 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16752 @kindex set sysroot
16753 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16754 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16755 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16756 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16757 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16758 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16759 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16762 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16763 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16764 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16765 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16766 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16767 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16768 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16769 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16770 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16772 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16773 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16774 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16775 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16776 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16779 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16782 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16783 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16787 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16790 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16791 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16792 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16796 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16799 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16800 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16801 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16805 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16806 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16807 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16811 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16812 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16813 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16815 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16816 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16819 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16822 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16823 if you don't want or need to.
16825 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16828 @cindex default system root
16829 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16830 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16831 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16832 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16833 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16834 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16837 @kindex show sysroot
16839 Display the current shared library prefix.
16841 @kindex set solib-search-path
16842 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16843 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16844 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16845 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16846 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16847 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16848 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16849 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16850 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16851 of shared library symbols.
16853 @kindex show solib-search-path
16854 @item show solib-search-path
16855 Display the current shared library search path.
16857 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16858 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16859 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16860 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16861 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16863 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16864 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16865 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16866 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16867 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16868 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16869 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16870 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16871 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16872 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16873 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16874 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16875 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16876 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16877 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16878 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16879 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16880 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16881 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16882 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16883 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16884 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16888 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16889 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16890 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16894 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16895 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16896 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16897 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16898 considered directory separators.
16901 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16902 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16903 This is the default.
16907 @cindex file name canonicalization
16908 @cindex base name differences
16909 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16910 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16911 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16912 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16913 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16914 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16915 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16916 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16917 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16918 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16919 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16920 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16921 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16922 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16923 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16926 @item set basenames-may-differ
16927 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16928 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16930 @item show basenames-may-differ
16931 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16932 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16935 @node Separate Debug Files
16936 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16937 @cindex separate debugging information files
16938 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16939 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16940 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16941 @cindex global debugging information directories
16942 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16943 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16945 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16946 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16947 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16948 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16949 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16950 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16951 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16953 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16958 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16959 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16960 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16961 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16962 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16963 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16964 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16965 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16968 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16969 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16970 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16971 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16972 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16973 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16974 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16975 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16979 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16980 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16984 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16985 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16986 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16987 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16988 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16991 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16992 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16993 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16994 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16995 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16996 hex characters, not 10.)
16999 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
17000 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
17001 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
17002 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
17003 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
17004 debug information files, in the indicated order:
17008 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
17010 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
17012 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
17014 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
17017 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
17018 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
17019 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
17020 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
17021 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
17025 @kindex set debug-file-directory
17026 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
17027 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17028 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
17029 concatenating them by a path separator.
17031 @kindex show debug-file-directory
17032 @item show debug-file-directory
17033 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17038 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
17039 @cindex debug link sections
17040 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
17041 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
17045 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
17048 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
17049 boundary within the section, and
17051 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
17052 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
17053 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
17054 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
17057 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
17058 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
17061 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
17062 @cindex build ID sections
17063 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
17064 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
17065 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
17066 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
17067 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
17068 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
17069 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
17070 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
17071 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
17073 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
17074 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
17075 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
17076 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
17077 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
17078 in an ordinary executable.
17080 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
17081 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
17082 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
17083 following commands:
17086 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
17091 These commands remove the debugging
17092 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
17093 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
17098 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
17099 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
17102 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
17105 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
17106 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
17107 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
17108 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
17111 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
17112 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
17113 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
17114 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
17119 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
17120 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
17121 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
17123 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
17124 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
17125 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
17130 <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>
17131 + <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
17137 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
17138 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
17142 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
17143 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
17144 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
17145 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
17148 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
17149 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
17150 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
17151 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
17152 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
17153 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
17155 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
17156 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
17157 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17158 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17161 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17164 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17165 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17167 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17169 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17170 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17171 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17172 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17173 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17174 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17175 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17176 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17177 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17178 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17179 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17180 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17181 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17182 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17183 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17184 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17185 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17186 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17187 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17188 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17189 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17190 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17191 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17192 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17193 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17194 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17195 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17196 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17197 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17198 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17199 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17200 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17201 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17202 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17203 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17204 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17205 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17206 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17207 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17208 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17209 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17210 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17211 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17212 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17213 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17214 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17215 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17216 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17217 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17218 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17219 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17222 unsigned char *end;
17224 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17225 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17226 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17227 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17232 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17234 @node MiniDebugInfo
17235 @section Debugging information in a special section
17236 @cindex separate debug sections
17237 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17239 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17240 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17241 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17242 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17244 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17245 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17246 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17247 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17248 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17249 debugging information might be included in the section.
17251 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17252 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17253 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17255 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17256 standard utilities:
17259 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17260 # to also have these in the normal symbol table
17261 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17262 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17264 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
17265 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17266 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
17269 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17271 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17273 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17274 # removing some unnecessary sections.
17275 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17276 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
17278 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17281 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17285 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17286 @cindex index files
17287 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17289 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17290 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17291 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17292 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17293 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17296 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17297 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17298 using @command{objcopy}.
17300 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17303 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17304 @kindex save gdb-index
17305 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17306 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17307 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17311 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17312 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17315 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17316 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17319 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17320 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17321 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17322 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17323 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17324 The default is @code{off}.
17325 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17326 @xref{Index Section Format}.
17328 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17329 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17332 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17335 Instead you must do, for example,
17338 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17341 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17342 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17343 currently work for programs using Ada.
17345 @node Symbol Errors
17346 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17348 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17349 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17350 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17351 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17352 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17353 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17354 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17355 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17356 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17357 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17360 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17363 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17365 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17366 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17367 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17368 in its outer scope blocks.
17370 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17371 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17372 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17375 @item block at @var{address} out of order
17377 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17378 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17381 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17382 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17383 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17384 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17387 @item bad block start address patched
17389 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17390 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17391 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17393 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17394 starting on the previous source line.
17396 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17399 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17400 larger than the size of the string table.
17402 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17403 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17406 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17408 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17409 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17410 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17412 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17413 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17414 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17415 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17416 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17417 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17419 @item stub type has NULL name
17421 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17423 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17424 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17425 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17428 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17430 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17435 @section GDB Data Files
17437 @cindex prefix for data files
17438 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17439 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17441 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17442 is currently using.
17445 @kindex set data-directory
17446 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17447 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17448 to @var{directory}.
17450 @kindex show data-directory
17451 @item show data-directory
17452 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17455 @cindex default data directory
17456 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17457 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17458 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17459 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17460 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17461 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17464 The data directory may also be specified with the
17465 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17466 @xref{Mode Options}.
17469 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17471 @cindex debugging target
17472 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17474 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17475 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17476 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17477 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17478 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17479 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17480 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17481 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17483 @cindex target architecture
17484 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17485 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17486 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17490 @kindex set architecture
17491 @kindex show architecture
17492 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17493 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17494 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17495 supported architectures.
17497 @item show architecture
17498 Show the current target architecture.
17500 @item set processor
17502 @kindex set processor
17503 @kindex show processor
17504 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17505 and @code{show architecture}.
17509 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17510 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17511 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17514 @node Active Targets
17515 @section Active Targets
17517 @cindex stacking targets
17518 @cindex active targets
17519 @cindex multiple targets
17521 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17522 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17523 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17524 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17525 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17526 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17527 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17528 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17529 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17531 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17532 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17533 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17534 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17536 @node Target Commands
17537 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17540 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17541 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17542 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17543 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17544 protocol of the target machine.
17546 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17547 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17548 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17550 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17551 after executing the command.
17553 @kindex help target
17555 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17556 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17557 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17559 @item help target @var{name}
17560 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17563 @kindex set gnutarget
17564 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17565 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17566 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17567 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17568 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17569 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17572 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17573 you must know the actual BFD name.
17577 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17579 @kindex show gnutarget
17580 @item show gnutarget
17581 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17582 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17583 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17584 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17587 @cindex common targets
17588 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17593 @item target exec @var{program}
17594 @cindex executable file target
17595 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17596 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17598 @item target core @var{filename}
17599 @cindex core dump file target
17600 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17601 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17603 @item target remote @var{medium}
17604 @cindex remote target
17605 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17606 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17607 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17609 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17610 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17613 target remote /dev/ttya
17616 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17617 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17618 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17619 clobbered by the download.
17621 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17622 @cindex built-in simulator target
17623 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17631 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17632 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17633 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17634 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17639 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17643 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17644 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17645 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17649 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17650 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17652 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17653 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17654 various aspects of this process.
17659 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17660 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17661 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17662 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17663 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17667 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17668 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17670 @item set debug monitor
17671 @kindex set debug monitor
17672 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17673 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17674 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17676 @item show debug monitor
17677 @kindex show debug monitor
17678 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17679 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17684 @kindex load @var{filename}
17685 @item load @var{filename}
17687 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17688 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17689 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17690 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17691 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17692 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17694 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17695 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17696 target is @dots{}}''
17698 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17699 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17700 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17701 specifies a fixed address.
17702 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17704 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17705 load programs into flash memory.
17707 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17711 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17713 @cindex choosing target byte order
17714 @cindex target byte order
17716 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17717 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17718 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17719 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17720 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17721 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17725 @item set endian big
17726 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17728 @item set endian little
17729 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17731 @item set endian auto
17732 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17736 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17740 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17741 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17745 @node Remote Debugging
17746 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17747 @cindex remote debugging
17749 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17750 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17751 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17752 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17753 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17755 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17756 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17757 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17758 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17759 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17760 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17762 Other remote targets may be available in your
17763 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17766 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17767 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17768 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17769 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17770 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17774 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17776 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17777 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17778 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17779 program as the first argument.
17781 @cindex @code{target remote}
17782 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17783 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17784 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17785 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17786 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17787 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17791 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17792 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17793 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17794 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17797 target remote /dev/ttyb
17800 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17801 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17802 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17803 @code{target} command.
17805 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17806 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17807 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17808 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17809 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17810 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17811 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17812 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17815 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17819 target remote manyfarms:2828
17822 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17823 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17824 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17825 port 1234 on your local machine:
17828 target remote :1234
17832 Note that the colon is still required here.
17834 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17835 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17836 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17837 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17840 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17843 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17844 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17845 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17846 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17848 @item target remote | @var{command}
17849 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17850 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17851 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17852 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17853 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17854 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17855 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17856 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17858 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17859 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17860 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17864 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17865 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17866 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17867 need to use @kbd{run}.
17869 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17870 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17871 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17872 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17873 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17874 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17875 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17878 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17879 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17882 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17883 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17884 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17885 goes back to waiting.
17888 @kindex detach (remote)
17890 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17891 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17892 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17893 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17894 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17898 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17899 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17900 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17901 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17904 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17905 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17906 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17908 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17909 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17910 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17911 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17912 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17916 @node File Transfer
17917 @section Sending files to a remote system
17918 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17919 @cindex file transfer
17920 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17922 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17923 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17924 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17925 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17926 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17927 the only way to upload or download files.
17929 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17933 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17934 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17935 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17938 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17939 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17940 on the host system.
17942 @kindex remote delete
17943 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17944 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17949 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17952 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17953 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17954 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17955 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17957 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17958 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17959 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17960 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17961 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17962 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17963 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17964 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17965 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17966 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17967 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17968 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17969 choice for debugging.
17971 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17972 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17976 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17977 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17978 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17979 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17983 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17984 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17985 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17987 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17988 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17989 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17990 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17991 system does all the symbol handling.
17993 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17994 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17998 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
18001 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
18002 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
18003 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
18004 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
18005 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
18009 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
18012 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
18015 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
18018 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
18021 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
18022 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
18023 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
18024 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
18025 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
18026 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
18027 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
18028 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
18029 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
18030 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
18031 @code{target remote} command.
18033 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
18037 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
18040 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
18041 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
18042 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
18043 You could elide it if you want to.
18045 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
18046 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
18047 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
18048 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
18050 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
18051 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
18052 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
18054 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
18055 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
18058 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
18061 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
18062 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
18065 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
18066 @code{pidof} utility:
18069 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
18072 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
18073 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
18074 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
18076 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
18077 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
18078 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
18080 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
18081 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
18082 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
18083 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
18085 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
18086 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
18087 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
18088 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
18089 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
18090 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
18091 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
18092 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
18093 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
18095 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
18096 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
18097 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
18098 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
18099 the program you want to debug.
18101 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
18102 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
18103 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
18104 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
18105 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
18106 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
18108 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
18110 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
18112 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
18113 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
18114 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
18115 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
18116 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
18117 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
18118 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
18119 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
18121 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
18122 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
18123 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
18125 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
18126 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
18127 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
18128 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
18129 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
18130 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
18131 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
18132 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
18133 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
18134 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
18135 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
18136 instance closes its port after the first connection.
18138 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
18140 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18141 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
18142 status information about the debugging process.
18143 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18144 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
18145 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
18146 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
18148 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
18149 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
18150 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
18151 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
18152 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
18154 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
18155 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
18156 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
18157 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18159 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18160 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18161 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18162 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18164 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18165 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18169 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18172 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18174 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18176 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18177 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18178 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18179 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18181 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18182 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18183 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18184 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18185 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18186 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18189 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18190 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18191 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18192 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18193 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18194 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18195 already on the target.
18197 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18198 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18199 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18201 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18202 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18203 Here are the available commands.
18207 List the available monitor commands.
18209 @item monitor set debug 0
18210 @itemx monitor set debug 1
18211 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18213 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
18214 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18215 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18216 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18218 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18219 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18220 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18221 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18222 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18223 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18225 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18226 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18229 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18230 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18231 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18232 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18233 of a multi-process mode debug session.
18237 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18238 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18240 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18241 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18243 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18244 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18245 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18246 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18247 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18248 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18249 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18250 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18251 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18252 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18253 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18254 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18256 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18259 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18261 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18262 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18263 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18265 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18267 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18268 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18269 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18270 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18271 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18272 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
18274 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18276 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18277 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18278 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18279 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18280 command for that. For example:
18283 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18286 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18287 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18290 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18291 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18292 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18293 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18294 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18295 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18296 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18297 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18298 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18299 @code{gdbserver} like so:
18302 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18305 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18309 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
18310 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18311 (@value{GDBP}) b main
18312 (@value{GDBP}) continue
18315 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18316 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18317 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18318 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18319 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18322 @node Remote Configuration
18323 @section Remote Configuration
18326 @kindex show remote
18327 This section documents the configuration options available when
18328 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18329 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18330 system-call-allowed}.
18333 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18334 @cindex address size for remote targets
18335 @cindex bits in remote address
18336 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18337 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18338 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18339 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18341 @item show remoteaddresssize
18342 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18344 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
18345 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
18346 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18347 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18350 @item show remotebaud
18351 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18353 @item set remotebreak
18354 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18355 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18356 @anchor{set remotebreak}
18357 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18358 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18359 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18360 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18361 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18363 @item show remotebreak
18364 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18365 interrupt the remote program.
18367 @item set remoteflow on
18368 @itemx set remoteflow off
18369 @kindex set remoteflow
18370 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18371 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18373 @item show remoteflow
18374 @kindex show remoteflow
18375 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18377 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18378 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18379 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18380 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18383 @item show remotelogbase
18384 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18387 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18388 @cindex record serial communications on file
18389 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18390 default is not to record at all.
18392 @item show remotelogfile.
18393 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18394 serial communications.
18396 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18397 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18398 @cindex remote timeout
18399 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18400 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18402 @item show remotetimeout
18403 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18406 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18407 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18408 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18409 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18410 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18411 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18412 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18413 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18415 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18416 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18417 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18418 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18419 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18420 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18423 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18424 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18425 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18427 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18428 @itemx show remote exec-file
18429 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18430 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18431 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18432 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18433 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18434 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18436 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18437 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18438 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18439 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18440 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18441 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18442 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18443 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18444 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18445 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18447 @item show interrupt-sequence
18448 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18449 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18450 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18451 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18453 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18454 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18455 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18456 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18457 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18458 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18460 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18461 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18462 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18466 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18467 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18468 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18469 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18470 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18471 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18472 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18473 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18474 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18476 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18477 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18479 @item show tcp auto-retry
18480 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18482 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18483 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18484 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18485 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18486 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18487 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18488 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18489 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18490 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18491 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18492 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18494 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18495 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18498 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18499 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18500 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18501 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18502 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18503 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18504 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18505 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18506 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18508 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18509 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18510 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18511 @value{GDBN} developers.
18513 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18514 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18517 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18520 @tab Related Features
18522 @item @code{fetch-register}
18524 @tab @code{info registers}
18526 @item @code{set-register}
18530 @item @code{binary-download}
18532 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18534 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18535 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18536 @tab @code{info auxv}
18538 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18539 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18540 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18542 @item @code{attach}
18543 @tab @code{vAttach}
18546 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18548 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18554 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18558 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18562 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18566 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18570 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18574 @item @code{target-features}
18575 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18576 @tab @code{set architecture}
18578 @item @code{library-info}
18579 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18580 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18582 @item @code{memory-map}
18583 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18584 @tab @code{info mem}
18586 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18587 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18588 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18590 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18591 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18592 @tab @code{info spu}
18594 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18595 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18596 @tab @code{info spu}
18598 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18599 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18600 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18602 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18603 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18604 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18606 @item @code{threads}
18607 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18608 @tab @code{info threads}
18610 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18611 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18612 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18614 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18615 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18616 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18618 @item @code{search-memory}
18619 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18622 @item @code{supported-packets}
18623 @tab @code{qSupported}
18624 @tab Remote communications parameters
18626 @item @code{pass-signals}
18627 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18628 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18630 @item @code{program-signals}
18631 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18632 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18634 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18635 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18636 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18638 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18639 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18640 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18642 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18643 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18644 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18646 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18647 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18648 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18650 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18651 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18652 @tab @code{remote delete}
18654 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18655 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18658 @item @code{noack-packet}
18659 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18660 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18662 @item @code{osdata}
18663 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18664 @tab @code{info os}
18666 @item @code{query-attached}
18667 @tab @code{qAttached}
18668 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18670 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18671 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18672 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18674 @item @code{trace-status}
18675 @tab @code{qTStatus}
18676 @tab @code{tstatus}
18678 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18679 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18680 @tab Traceframe info
18682 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18683 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18684 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18686 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18687 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18688 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18690 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18691 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18692 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18696 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18698 @cindex debugging stub, example
18699 @cindex remote stub, example
18700 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18701 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18702 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18703 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18704 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18705 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18706 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18707 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18709 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18710 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18711 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18712 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18717 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18718 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18719 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18722 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18723 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18726 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18727 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18728 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18732 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18733 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18734 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18738 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18739 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18740 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18742 @item On the target,
18743 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18744 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18745 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18747 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18748 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18749 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18752 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18753 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18756 @cindex remote serial stub list
18757 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18762 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18765 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18768 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18769 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18771 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18774 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18777 For Renesas SH architectures.
18780 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18782 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18784 @item sparcl-stub.c
18785 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18788 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18792 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18793 recently added stubs.
18796 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18797 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18798 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18801 @node Stub Contents
18802 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18804 @cindex remote serial stub
18805 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18809 @item set_debug_traps
18810 @findex set_debug_traps
18811 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18812 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18813 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18814 program's startup code.
18816 @item handle_exception
18817 @findex handle_exception
18818 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18819 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18820 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18821 run when a trap is triggered.
18823 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18824 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18825 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18826 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18827 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18828 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18829 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18830 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18831 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18835 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18836 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18837 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18838 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18839 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18840 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18841 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18842 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18843 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18844 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18845 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18847 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18848 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18849 start of your debugging session.
18852 @node Bootstrapping
18853 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18855 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18856 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18857 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18858 debugging target machine.
18860 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18864 @item int getDebugChar()
18865 @findex getDebugChar
18866 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18867 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18868 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18870 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18871 @findex putDebugChar
18872 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18873 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18874 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18877 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18878 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18879 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18880 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18881 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18882 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18883 remote system to stop.
18885 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18886 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18887 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18888 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18890 Other routines you need to supply are:
18893 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18894 @findex exceptionHandler
18895 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18896 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18897 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18898 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18899 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18900 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18901 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18902 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18903 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18904 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18905 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18906 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18907 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18909 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18910 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18911 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18912 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18913 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18915 @item void flush_i_cache()
18916 @findex flush_i_cache
18917 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18918 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18919 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18921 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18922 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18926 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18929 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18931 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18932 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18933 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18934 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18937 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18938 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18939 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18940 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18943 @node Debug Session
18944 @subsection Putting it All Together
18946 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18947 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18952 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18953 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18955 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18956 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18960 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18961 procedure is called:
18968 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18969 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18970 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18971 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18972 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18973 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18977 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18978 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18981 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18985 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18986 function in your program, that function is called when
18987 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18988 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18989 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18992 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18993 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18996 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18997 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
19000 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
19001 @c document that. FIXME.
19002 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
19003 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
19006 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
19007 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19011 @node Configurations
19012 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
19014 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
19015 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
19016 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
19018 There are three major categories of configurations: native
19019 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
19020 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
19021 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
19022 are quite different from each other.
19027 * Embedded Processors::
19034 This section describes details specific to particular native
19039 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
19040 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
19041 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
19042 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
19043 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
19044 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
19050 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
19051 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
19052 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
19055 @node BSD libkvm Interface
19056 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
19059 @cindex kernel memory image
19060 @cindex kernel crash dump
19062 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
19063 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
19064 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
19065 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
19066 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
19067 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
19068 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
19072 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
19075 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
19079 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
19082 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
19088 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
19091 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
19092 modern FreeBSD systems.
19095 @node SVR4 Process Information
19096 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
19098 @cindex examine process image
19099 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
19101 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
19102 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
19103 process using file-system subroutines.
19105 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
19106 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
19107 information about the process running your program, or about any
19108 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
19109 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
19110 not HP-UX, for example.
19112 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
19113 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
19119 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
19120 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
19121 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
19122 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
19123 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
19124 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
19125 executable file's absolute file name.
19127 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
19128 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
19129 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
19130 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
19131 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
19132 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
19134 @item info proc cmdline
19135 @cindex info proc cmdline
19136 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
19137 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19139 @item info proc cwd
19140 @cindex info proc cwd
19141 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
19142 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19144 @item info proc exe
19145 @cindex info proc exe
19146 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
19149 @item info proc mappings
19150 @cindex memory address space mappings
19151 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
19152 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
19153 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
19154 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
19155 memory access rights to that range.
19157 @item info proc stat
19158 @itemx info proc status
19159 @cindex process detailed status information
19160 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19161 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19162 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19163 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19164 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19165 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19166 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19168 @item info proc all
19169 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19170 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19173 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19174 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19175 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19176 @kindex info proc times
19177 @item info proc times
19178 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19181 @kindex info proc id
19183 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19184 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19187 @item set procfs-trace
19188 @kindex set procfs-trace
19189 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19190 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19192 @item show procfs-trace
19193 @kindex show procfs-trace
19194 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19196 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
19197 @kindex set procfs-file
19198 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19199 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19200 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19203 @item show procfs-file
19204 @kindex show procfs-file
19205 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19207 @item proc-trace-entry
19208 @itemx proc-trace-exit
19209 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
19210 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
19211 @kindex proc-trace-entry
19212 @kindex proc-trace-exit
19213 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
19214 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
19215 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19216 from the @code{syscall} interface.
19219 @kindex info pidlist
19220 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19221 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19222 processes and all the threads within each process.
19225 @kindex info meminfo
19226 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19227 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19231 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19232 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19233 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19234 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19237 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19238 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19239 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19240 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19242 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19243 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19244 subsection describes those commands.
19249 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19250 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19253 @cindex MS-DOS system info
19254 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19255 @item info dos sysinfo
19256 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19257 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19258 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19263 @cindex segment descriptor tables
19264 @cindex descriptor tables display
19266 @itemx info dos ldt
19267 @itemx info dos idt
19268 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19269 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19270 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19271 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19272 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19273 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19276 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19277 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19278 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19279 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19280 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19282 @cindex garbled pointers
19283 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19284 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19285 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19286 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19287 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19288 debugged program's data segment:
19291 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19292 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19296 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19297 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19299 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19301 @itemx info dos pte
19302 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19303 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19304 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19305 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19306 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19307 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19308 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19309 that is currently in use.
19311 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19312 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19313 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19314 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19315 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19316 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19317 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19319 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19320 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19321 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19324 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19326 @cindex physical address from linear address
19327 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19328 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19329 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19330 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19331 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19332 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19333 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19336 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19337 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19338 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19342 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19343 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19344 attributes of that page.
19346 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19347 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19348 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19349 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19350 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19351 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19353 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19357 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19358 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19359 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19363 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
19364 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19365 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19366 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19367 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19369 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19372 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19373 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19374 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19375 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19378 @kindex set com1base
19379 @kindex set com1irq
19380 @kindex set com2base
19381 @kindex set com2irq
19382 @kindex set com3base
19383 @kindex set com3irq
19384 @kindex set com4base
19385 @kindex set com4irq
19386 @item set com1base @var{addr}
19387 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19390 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
19391 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19392 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19394 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19395 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19398 @kindex show com1base
19399 @kindex show com1irq
19400 @kindex show com2base
19401 @kindex show com2irq
19402 @kindex show com3base
19403 @kindex show com3irq
19404 @kindex show com4base
19405 @kindex show com4irq
19406 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19407 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19408 lines used by the COM ports.
19411 @kindex info serial
19412 @cindex DOS serial port status
19413 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19414 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19415 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19416 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19420 @node Cygwin Native
19421 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19422 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19423 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19424 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19426 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19427 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19429 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19430 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19431 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19432 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19433 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19434 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19435 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19438 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19439 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19440 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19445 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19446 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19448 @item info w32 selector
19449 This command displays information returned by
19450 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19451 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19452 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19453 Without argument, this command displays information
19454 about the six segment registers.
19456 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19457 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19458 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19459 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19463 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19465 @kindex dll-symbols
19467 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19468 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19470 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19471 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19472 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19473 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19474 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19475 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19476 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19477 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19478 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19479 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19480 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19482 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19483 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19484 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19485 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19487 @kindex set new-console
19488 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19489 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19490 be started in a new console on next start.
19491 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19492 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19494 @kindex show new-console
19495 @item show new-console
19496 Displays whether a new console is used
19497 when the debuggee is started.
19499 @kindex set new-group
19500 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19501 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19502 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19503 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19506 @kindex show new-group
19507 @item show new-group
19508 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19510 @kindex set debugevents
19511 @item set debugevents
19512 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19513 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19514 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19515 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19516 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19518 @kindex set debugexec
19519 @item set debugexec
19520 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19521 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19523 @kindex set debugexceptions
19524 @item set debugexceptions
19525 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19526 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19528 @kindex set debugmemory
19529 @item set debugmemory
19530 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19531 and writes by the debugger.
19535 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19536 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19540 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19545 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19548 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19549 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19550 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19551 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19553 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19554 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19555 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19556 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19557 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19558 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19559 ``minimal symbols''.
19561 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19562 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19563 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19564 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19565 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19566 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19567 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19568 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19569 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19570 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19572 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19574 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19575 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19576 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19577 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19578 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19579 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19580 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19581 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19582 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19584 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19585 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19586 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19587 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19588 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19589 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19592 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19593 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19595 Non-debugging symbols:
19596 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19597 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19601 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19602 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19604 Non-debugging symbols:
19605 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19606 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19607 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19611 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19613 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19614 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19615 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19616 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19617 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19618 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19619 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19621 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19622 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19623 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19624 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19628 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19633 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19634 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19637 And two possible solutions:
19640 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19641 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19645 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19646 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19647 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19648 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19649 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19650 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19653 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19654 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19655 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19656 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19657 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19660 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19661 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19664 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19665 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19669 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19670 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19672 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19673 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19678 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19679 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19680 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19681 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19682 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19687 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19688 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19689 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19691 @item set signal-thread
19692 @itemx set sigthread
19693 @kindex set signal-thread
19694 @kindex set sigthread
19695 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19696 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19697 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19700 @item show signal-thread
19701 @itemx show sigthread
19702 @kindex show signal-thread
19703 @kindex show sigthread
19704 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19705 delivered a signal.
19708 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19709 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19710 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19711 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19714 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19715 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19718 @item set exceptions
19719 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19720 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19721 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19722 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19725 @item show exceptions
19726 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19727 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19729 @item set task pause
19730 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19731 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19732 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19733 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19734 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19735 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19736 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19737 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19738 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19740 @item show task pause
19741 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19742 Show the current state of task suspension.
19744 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19745 @cindex task suspend count
19746 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19747 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19748 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19750 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19751 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19753 @item set task exception-port
19754 @itemx set task excp
19755 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19756 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19757 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19758 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19760 @item set noninvasive
19761 @cindex noninvasive task options
19762 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19763 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19764 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19765 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19767 @item info send-rights
19768 @itemx info receive-rights
19769 @itemx info port-rights
19770 @itemx info port-sets
19771 @itemx info dead-names
19774 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19775 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19776 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19777 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19778 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19779 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19780 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19781 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19782 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19784 @item set thread pause
19785 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19786 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19787 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19788 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19789 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19790 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19791 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19792 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19793 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19794 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19795 only the current thread.
19797 @item show thread pause
19798 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19799 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19801 @item set thread run
19802 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19804 @item show thread run
19805 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19807 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19808 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19809 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19810 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19811 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19812 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19813 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19815 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19816 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19819 @item set thread exception-port
19820 @itemx set thread excp
19821 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19822 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19823 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19825 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19826 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19827 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19828 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19830 @item set thread default
19831 @itemx show thread default
19832 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19833 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19834 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19835 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19836 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19837 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19838 the non-default commands.
19845 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19848 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19849 @kindex set debug darwin
19850 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19851 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19853 @item show debug darwin
19854 @kindex show debug darwin
19855 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19857 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19858 @kindex set debug mach-o
19859 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19860 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19861 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19862 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19863 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19866 @item show debug mach-o
19867 @kindex show debug mach-o
19868 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19870 @item set mach-exceptions on
19871 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19872 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19873 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19874 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19875 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19876 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19878 @item show mach-exceptions
19879 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19880 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19885 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19887 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19888 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19892 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19895 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19896 various real-time operating systems.
19899 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19905 @kindex target vxworks
19906 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19907 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19908 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19912 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19913 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19915 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19916 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19917 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19918 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19919 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19920 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19921 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19924 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19925 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19926 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19927 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19928 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19929 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19930 of a thin network line.
19933 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19934 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19937 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19938 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19939 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19940 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19941 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19942 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19943 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19944 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19946 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19948 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19949 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19950 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19951 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19953 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19960 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19961 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19962 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19965 @node VxWorks Connection
19966 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19968 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19969 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19972 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19976 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19979 Attaching remote machine across net...
19984 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19985 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19986 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19987 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19988 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19991 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19994 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19995 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19998 @node VxWorks Download
19999 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
20001 @cindex download to VxWorks
20002 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
20003 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
20004 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
20005 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
20006 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
20007 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
20008 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
20009 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
20010 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
20011 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
20012 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
20013 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
20014 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
20015 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
20016 program, type this on VxWorks:
20019 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
20023 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20026 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
20027 (vxgdb) load prog.o
20030 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
20033 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
20036 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
20037 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
20038 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
20039 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
20040 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
20041 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
20044 @node VxWorks Attach
20045 @subsubsection Running Tasks
20047 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
20048 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
20052 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
20056 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
20057 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
20058 the time of attachment.
20060 @node Embedded Processors
20061 @section Embedded Processors
20063 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
20066 @cindex send command to simulator
20067 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
20068 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
20071 @item sim @var{command}
20072 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
20073 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
20074 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
20075 acceptable commands.
20081 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
20082 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
20083 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
20084 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
20085 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
20086 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
20087 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
20088 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
20089 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
20092 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
20101 @item target rdi @var{dev}
20102 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
20103 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
20104 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
20107 @item target rdp @var{dev}
20112 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
20115 @item set arm disassembler
20117 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
20118 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
20120 @item show arm disassembler
20122 Show the current disassembly style.
20124 @item set arm apcs32
20125 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
20126 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
20128 @item show arm apcs32
20129 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
20131 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
20132 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
20133 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
20137 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
20139 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
20142 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
20144 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
20150 Show the current type of the FPU.
20153 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
20156 Show the currently used ABI.
20158 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20159 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20160 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20161 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20162 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20163 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20166 @item show arm fallback-mode
20167 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20169 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20170 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20171 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20172 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20173 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20175 @item show arm force-mode
20176 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20178 @item set debug arm
20179 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20180 target support subsystem.
20182 @item show debug arm
20183 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20186 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20187 using the RDI interface:
20190 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20192 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20193 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20194 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20195 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20198 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20199 @kindex rdilogenable
20200 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20201 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20202 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20203 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20204 are logged to a file.
20206 @item set rdiromatzero
20207 @kindex set rdiromatzero
20208 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20209 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20210 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20211 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20212 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20214 @item show rdiromatzero
20215 @kindex show rdiromatzero
20216 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20218 @item set rdiheartbeat
20219 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
20220 @cindex RDI heartbeat
20221 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20222 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20223 well as the Angel monitor.
20225 @item show rdiheartbeat
20226 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
20227 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20231 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20232 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20235 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
20236 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20237 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20238 The default value is @code{all}.
20251 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20254 @kindex target m32r
20255 @item target m32r @var{dev}
20256 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20258 @kindex target m32rsdi
20259 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20260 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20263 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20266 @item set download-path @var{path}
20267 @kindex set download-path
20268 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20269 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20271 @item show download-path
20272 @kindex show download-path
20273 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20275 @item set board-address @var{addr}
20276 @kindex set board-address
20277 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
20278 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20280 @item show board-address
20281 @kindex show board-address
20282 Show the current IP address of the target board.
20284 @item set server-address @var{addr}
20285 @kindex set server-address
20286 @cindex download server address (M32R)
20287 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20290 @item show server-address
20291 @kindex show server-address
20292 Display the IP address of the download server.
20294 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20295 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20296 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20297 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20298 executable file is uploaded.
20300 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20301 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20302 Test the @code{upload} command.
20305 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20310 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20311 This command resets the SDI connection.
20315 This command shows the SDI connection status.
20318 @kindex debug_chaos
20319 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20320 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20322 @item use_debug_dma
20323 @kindex use_debug_dma
20324 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20327 @kindex use_mon_code
20328 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20331 @kindex use_ib_break
20332 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20334 @item use_dbt_break
20335 @kindex use_dbt_break
20336 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20342 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20343 target command for the following ROM monitor.
20347 @kindex target dbug
20348 @item target dbug @var{dev}
20349 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20354 @subsection MicroBlaze
20355 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20356 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20358 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20359 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20360 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20361 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20362 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20363 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20364 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20365 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20366 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20367 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20368 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20370 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20373 @item target remote :1234
20374 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20375 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20377 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20378 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20379 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20382 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20384 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20385 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20387 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20388 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20391 @node MIPS Embedded
20392 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20394 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20395 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20396 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20397 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20400 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20403 @item target mips @var{port}
20404 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20405 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20406 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20407 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20408 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20409 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20410 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20412 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20413 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20417 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20418 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20419 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20420 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20424 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20425 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20426 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20427 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20428 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20430 @item target pmon @var{port}
20431 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20434 @item target ddb @var{port}
20435 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20436 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20438 @item target lsi @var{port}
20439 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20440 LSI variant of PMON.
20442 @kindex target r3900
20443 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20444 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20446 @kindex target array
20447 @item target array @var{dev}
20448 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20454 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20457 @item set mipsfpu double
20458 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20459 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20460 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20461 @itemx show mipsfpu
20462 @kindex set mipsfpu
20463 @kindex show mipsfpu
20464 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20465 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20466 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20467 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20468 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20469 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20470 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20471 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20472 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20473 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20474 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20475 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20476 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20478 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20479 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20480 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20482 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20483 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20485 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20486 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20487 @itemx show timeout
20488 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20489 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20490 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20491 @kindex set timeout
20492 @kindex show timeout
20493 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20494 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20495 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20496 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20497 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20498 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20499 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20500 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20501 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20502 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20504 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20505 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20506 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20507 to run before stopping.
20509 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20510 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20511 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20512 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20513 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20514 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20516 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20517 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20518 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20519 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20521 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20522 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20523 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20524 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20525 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20535 @item show monitor-prompt
20536 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20537 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20540 @item set monitor-warnings
20541 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20542 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20543 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20544 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20545 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20547 @item show monitor-warnings
20548 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20549 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20551 @item pmon @var{command}
20552 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20553 @cindex send PMON command
20554 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20555 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20558 @node PowerPC Embedded
20559 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20561 @cindex DVC register
20562 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20563 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20566 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20567 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20570 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20571 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20572 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20573 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20574 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20577 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20578 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20579 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20580 watching variables of scalar types.
20582 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20583 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20586 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20587 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20590 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20591 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20593 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20594 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20595 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20596 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20597 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20598 use the @code{break-range} command.
20600 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20603 @kindex break-range
20604 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20605 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20606 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20607 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20608 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20609 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20610 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20611 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20612 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20614 @kindex set powerpc
20615 @item set powerpc soft-float
20616 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20617 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20618 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20619 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20621 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20622 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20623 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20624 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20625 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20626 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20627 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20628 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20630 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20631 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20632 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20633 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20634 address of its first byte.
20636 @kindex target dink32
20637 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20638 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20640 @kindex target ppcbug
20641 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20642 @kindex target ppcbug1
20643 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20644 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20647 @item target sds @var{dev}
20648 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20651 @cindex SDS protocol
20652 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20656 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20657 @kindex set sdstimeout
20658 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20659 default is 2 seconds.
20661 @item show sdstimeout
20662 @kindex show sdstimeout
20663 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20665 @item sds @var{command}
20666 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20667 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20672 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20676 @kindex target op50n
20677 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20678 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20680 @kindex target w89k
20681 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20682 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20687 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20691 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20692 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20693 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20694 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20695 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20698 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20699 @kindex remotetimeout
20700 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20701 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20702 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20705 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20706 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20707 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20708 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20709 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20712 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20715 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20718 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20721 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20723 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20724 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20725 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20727 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20734 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20735 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20736 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20737 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20740 @node Sparclet File
20741 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20743 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20746 (gdbslet) file prog
20750 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20751 @value{GDBN} locates
20752 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20754 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20755 files will be searched as well.
20756 @value{GDBN} locates
20757 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20758 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20760 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20763 prog: No such file or directory.
20766 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20767 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20768 @code{target} command again.
20770 @node Sparclet Connection
20771 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20773 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20774 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20777 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20778 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20779 main () at ../prog.c:3
20783 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20789 @node Sparclet Download
20790 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20792 @cindex download to Sparclet
20793 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20794 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20795 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20796 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20798 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20799 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20800 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20801 of each of the file's sections.
20802 For instance, if the program
20803 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20804 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20807 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20808 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20811 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20812 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20813 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20815 @node Sparclet Execution
20816 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20818 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20819 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20820 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20821 manual for the list of commands.
20825 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20827 Starting program: prog
20828 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20829 3 char *symarg = 0;
20831 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20836 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20840 @kindex target sparclite
20841 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20842 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20843 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20844 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20850 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20853 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20854 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20856 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20859 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20860 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20861 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20862 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20865 @item target sim @var{args}
20867 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20868 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20869 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20873 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20874 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20875 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20876 to run your program, and so on.
20878 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20879 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20880 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20885 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20888 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20891 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20895 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20896 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20897 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20898 simulated clock ticks.
20901 @subsection Atmel AVR
20904 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20905 following AVR-specific commands:
20908 @item info io_registers
20909 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20910 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20911 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20912 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20919 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20920 following CRIS-specific commands:
20923 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20924 @cindex CRIS version
20925 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20926 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20927 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20929 @item show cris-version
20930 Show the current CRIS version.
20932 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20933 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20934 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20935 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20938 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20939 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20941 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20943 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20944 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20945 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20947 @item show cris-mode
20948 Show the current CRIS mode.
20952 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20955 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20959 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20960 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20961 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20962 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20963 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20964 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20965 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20966 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20967 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20968 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20969 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20970 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20972 @item show sh calling-convention
20973 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20974 Show the current calling convention setting.
20979 @node Architectures
20980 @section Architectures
20982 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20983 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20990 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20991 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20997 @subsection AArch64
20998 @cindex AArch64 support
21000 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21001 following special commands:
21004 @item set debug aarch64
21005 @kindex set debug aarch64
21006 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21007 messages are to be displayed.
21009 @item show debug aarch64
21010 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21015 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21018 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21019 @kindex set struct-convention
21020 @cindex struct return convention
21021 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
21022 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21023 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21024 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21025 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
21026 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
21027 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
21028 be returned in a register.
21030 @item show struct-convention
21031 @kindex show struct-convention
21032 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
21039 See the following section.
21042 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
21044 @cindex stack on Alpha
21045 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
21046 @cindex Alpha stack
21047 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
21048 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
21049 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
21050 find the beginning of a function.
21052 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
21053 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
21054 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
21055 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
21059 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
21060 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
21061 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
21062 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
21063 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
21064 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
21065 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
21066 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
21068 @item show heuristic-fence-post
21069 Display the current limit.
21073 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
21074 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
21076 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
21080 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
21081 @kindex set mips abi
21082 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
21083 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
21084 values of @var{arg} are:
21088 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
21098 @item show mips abi
21099 @kindex show mips abi
21100 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21102 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
21103 @kindex set mips compression
21104 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
21105 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
21106 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
21107 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
21108 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
21109 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
21110 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
21111 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
21112 provided by the executable.
21114 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
21115 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
21116 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
21117 identified as such.
21119 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
21120 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
21121 implicitly from an executable.
21123 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
21124 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
21125 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
21126 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
21127 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
21129 @item show mips compression
21130 @kindex show mips compression
21131 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
21132 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21135 @itemx show mipsfpu
21136 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
21138 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
21139 @kindex set mips mask-address
21140 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
21141 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
21142 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
21143 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
21144 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
21146 @item show mips mask-address
21147 @kindex show mips mask-address
21148 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
21151 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21152 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21153 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
21154 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
21155 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
21156 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
21158 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21159 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21160 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21162 @item set debug mips
21163 @kindex set debug mips
21164 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21165 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21167 @item show debug mips
21168 @kindex show debug mips
21169 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21175 @cindex HPPA support
21177 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21178 following special commands:
21181 @item set debug hppa
21182 @kindex set debug hppa
21183 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21184 messages are to be displayed.
21186 @item show debug hppa
21187 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21189 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
21190 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21191 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21192 given @var{address}.
21198 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21199 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21202 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21203 it provides the following special commands:
21206 @item info spu event
21208 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21209 and pending event status.
21211 @item info spu signal
21212 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21213 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21214 notification channels.
21216 @item info spu mailbox
21217 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21218 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21219 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21222 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21223 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21224 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21226 @item info spu proxydma
21227 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21228 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21229 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21233 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21234 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21238 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21240 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21241 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21242 function. The default is @code{off}.
21244 @item show spu stop-on-load
21246 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21248 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21249 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21250 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21251 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21252 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21253 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21255 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
21256 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21261 @subsection PowerPC
21262 @cindex PowerPC architecture
21264 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21265 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21266 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21267 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21268 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21270 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21271 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21272 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21274 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21275 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21278 @subsection Nios II
21279 @cindex Nios II architecture
21281 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
21282 it provides the following special commands:
21286 @item set debug nios2
21287 @kindex set debug nios2
21288 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
21289 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21291 @item show debug nios2
21292 @kindex show debug nios2
21293 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
21296 @node Controlling GDB
21297 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21299 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21300 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21301 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21306 * Editing:: Command editing
21307 * Command History:: Command history
21308 * Screen Size:: Screen size
21309 * Numbers:: Numbers
21310 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21311 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21312 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21313 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21314 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21322 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21323 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21324 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21325 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21326 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21327 which one you are talking to.
21329 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21330 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21331 or a prompt that does not.
21335 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21336 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21338 @kindex show prompt
21340 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21343 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21344 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21348 @kindex set extended-prompt
21349 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21350 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21351 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21352 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21353 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21359 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21362 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21363 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21365 @kindex show extended-prompt
21366 @item show extended-prompt
21367 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21368 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21369 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21373 @section Command Editing
21375 @cindex command line editing
21377 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21378 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21379 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21380 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21381 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21382 debugging sessions.
21384 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21385 command @code{set}.
21388 @kindex set editing
21391 @itemx set editing on
21392 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21394 @item set editing off
21395 Disable command line editing.
21397 @kindex show editing
21399 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21402 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21403 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21405 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21406 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21408 for more details about the Readline
21409 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21410 encouraged to read that chapter.
21412 @node Command History
21413 @section Command History
21414 @cindex command history
21416 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21417 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21418 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21421 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21422 package, to provide the history facility.
21423 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21424 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21426 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21427 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21429 for the detailed description of the History library.
21431 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21432 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21433 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21434 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21435 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21436 pressed on a line by itself.
21438 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21439 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21440 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21441 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21443 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21447 @cindex history substitution
21448 @cindex history file
21449 @kindex set history filename
21450 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21451 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21452 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21453 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21454 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21455 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21456 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21457 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21458 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21461 @cindex save command history
21462 @kindex set history save
21463 @item set history save
21464 @itemx set history save on
21465 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21466 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21468 @item set history save off
21469 Stop recording command history in a file.
21471 @cindex history size
21472 @kindex set history size
21473 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21474 @item set history size @var{size}
21475 @itemx set history size unlimited
21476 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21477 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21478 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21479 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21480 history list is unlimited.
21483 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21484 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21485 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21487 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21488 @xref{Event Designators},
21492 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21493 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21494 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21495 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21496 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21497 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21498 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21499 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21501 The commands to control history expansion are:
21504 @item set history expansion on
21505 @itemx set history expansion
21506 @kindex set history expansion
21507 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21509 @item set history expansion off
21510 Disable history expansion.
21513 @kindex show history
21515 @itemx show history filename
21516 @itemx show history save
21517 @itemx show history size
21518 @itemx show history expansion
21519 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21520 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21525 @kindex show commands
21526 @cindex show last commands
21527 @cindex display command history
21528 @item show commands
21529 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21531 @item show commands @var{n}
21532 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21534 @item show commands +
21535 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21539 @section Screen Size
21540 @cindex size of screen
21541 @cindex pauses in output
21543 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21544 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21545 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21546 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21547 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21548 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21549 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21550 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21552 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21553 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21554 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21555 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21556 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21563 @kindex show height
21564 @item set height @var{lpp}
21565 @itemx set height unlimited
21567 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21568 @itemx set width unlimited
21570 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21571 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21572 commands display the current settings.
21574 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21575 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21576 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21579 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21580 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21582 @item set pagination on
21583 @itemx set pagination off
21584 @kindex set pagination
21585 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21586 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21587 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21588 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21590 @item show pagination
21591 @kindex show pagination
21592 Show the current pagination mode.
21597 @cindex number representation
21598 @cindex entering numbers
21600 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21601 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21602 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21603 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21604 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21605 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21606 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21607 both input and output with the commands described below.
21610 @kindex set input-radix
21611 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21612 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21613 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21614 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21618 set input-radix 012
21619 set input-radix 10.
21620 set input-radix 0xa
21624 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21625 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21626 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21627 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21628 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21631 @kindex set output-radix
21632 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21633 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21634 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21635 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21637 @kindex show input-radix
21638 @item show input-radix
21639 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21641 @kindex show output-radix
21642 @item show output-radix
21643 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21645 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21649 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21650 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21651 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21652 default value of 10.
21657 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21659 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21660 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21661 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21667 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21669 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21670 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21671 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21672 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21673 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21674 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21675 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21678 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21679 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21680 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21681 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21685 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21688 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21690 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21691 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21694 @cindex float promotion
21696 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21697 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21698 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21699 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21700 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21701 @code{double} and then passed.
21703 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21704 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21705 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21708 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21709 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21710 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21711 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21712 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21714 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21715 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21718 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21719 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21720 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21724 @kindex show cp-abi
21725 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21726 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21727 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21728 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21729 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21730 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21731 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21732 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21733 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21734 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21739 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21742 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21744 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21745 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21746 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21750 @section Automatically loading associated files
21751 @cindex auto-loading
21753 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21754 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21755 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21756 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21757 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21760 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21761 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21762 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21764 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21765 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21768 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21769 @kindex set auto-load off
21770 @item set auto-load off
21771 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21772 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21773 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21775 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21778 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21779 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21780 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21781 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21782 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21783 @code{set auto-load no}.
21785 @anchor{show auto-load}
21786 @kindex show auto-load
21787 @item show auto-load
21788 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21792 (gdb) show auto-load
21793 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21794 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21795 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21797 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21798 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21799 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21800 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21801 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21804 @anchor{info auto-load}
21805 @kindex info auto-load
21806 @item info auto-load
21807 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21811 (gdb) info auto-load
21814 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21815 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21816 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21820 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21824 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21828 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21830 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21832 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21833 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21835 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21836 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21838 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21841 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21843 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21844 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21845 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21846 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21847 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21848 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21849 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21850 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21851 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21852 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21853 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21854 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21855 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21856 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21857 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21858 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21859 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21860 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21861 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21862 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21863 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21864 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21865 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21866 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21867 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21868 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21869 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21870 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21871 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21872 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21873 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21874 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21875 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21876 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21877 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21878 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21879 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21880 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21881 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21882 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21883 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21887 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21888 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21889 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21890 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21891 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21892 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21895 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21896 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21897 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21899 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21900 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21901 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21903 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21904 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21907 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21908 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21909 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21910 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21911 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21913 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21914 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21915 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21916 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21917 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21919 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21920 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21921 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21922 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21923 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21926 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21927 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21928 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21930 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21932 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21933 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21935 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21936 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21937 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21938 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21939 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21942 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21943 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21946 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21947 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21948 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21949 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21951 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21952 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21953 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21954 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21955 enabled or disabled.
21957 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21958 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21959 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21960 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21961 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21964 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21965 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21966 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21968 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21969 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21970 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21972 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21973 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21975 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21976 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21979 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21980 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21981 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21982 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21984 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21985 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21986 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21987 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21990 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21991 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21992 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21993 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21994 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21998 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21999 matching names are printed.
22001 @node Auto-loading safe path
22002 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
22003 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
22005 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
22006 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
22007 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
22008 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
22009 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
22011 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
22016 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
22017 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
22018 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22019 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22020 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
22021 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22022 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22026 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
22027 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
22030 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
22033 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
22036 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
22037 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
22038 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
22039 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
22040 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
22041 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
22042 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
22043 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
22044 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
22045 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
22047 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
22048 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
22049 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
22051 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
22052 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
22053 @item show auto-load safe-path
22054 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
22057 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
22058 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
22059 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
22060 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
22061 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
22062 host platform path separator in use.
22065 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
22066 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
22067 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22068 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
22069 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
22071 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
22072 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
22073 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
22074 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
22075 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
22076 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
22077 init file in the current directory
22078 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
22080 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
22081 example, you could use one of the following ways:
22084 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
22085 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
22086 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
22087 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
22089 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
22090 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
22091 @value{GDBN} session.
22093 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
22094 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22095 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
22096 from trusted sources.
22098 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
22099 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
22100 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
22104 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
22105 also suppresses any such warning messages:
22108 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
22109 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22111 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
22112 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
22113 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
22114 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
22117 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
22118 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
22119 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
22120 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
22121 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
22122 recommended to be entered.
22124 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
22125 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
22126 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
22128 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
22129 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
22130 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
22131 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
22134 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22135 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
22136 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
22139 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
22140 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
22141 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
22142 for objfile "/tmp/true".
22143 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
22144 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
22145 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
22146 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
22147 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
22151 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
22152 @kindex set debug auto-load
22153 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
22154 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
22156 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
22157 @kindex show debug auto-load
22158 @item show debug auto-load
22159 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22163 @node Messages/Warnings
22164 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
22166 @cindex verbose operation
22167 @cindex optional warnings
22168 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22169 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22170 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22171 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22173 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22174 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22175 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22178 @kindex set verbose
22179 @item set verbose on
22180 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22182 @item set verbose off
22183 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22185 @kindex show verbose
22187 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22190 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22191 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22192 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22197 @kindex set complaints
22198 @item set complaints @var{limit}
22199 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22200 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22201 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22202 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22204 @kindex show complaints
22205 @item show complaints
22206 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22210 @anchor{confirmation requests}
22211 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22212 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22213 you try to run a program which is already running:
22217 The program being debugged has been started already.
22218 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22221 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22222 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22226 @kindex set confirm
22228 @cindex confirmation
22229 @cindex stupid questions
22230 @item set confirm off
22231 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22232 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22233 automatically disables confirmation requests.
22235 @item set confirm on
22236 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22238 @kindex show confirm
22240 Displays state of confirmation requests.
22244 @cindex command tracing
22245 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22246 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22247 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22248 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22251 @kindex set trace-commands
22252 @cindex command scripts, debugging
22253 @item set trace-commands on
22254 Enable command tracing.
22255 @item set trace-commands off
22256 Disable command tracing.
22257 @item show trace-commands
22258 Display the current state of command tracing.
22261 @node Debugging Output
22262 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22263 @cindex optional debugging messages
22265 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22266 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22267 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22268 section documents those commands.
22271 @kindex set exec-done-display
22272 @item set exec-done-display
22273 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22274 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22275 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22276 @kindex show exec-done-display
22277 @item show exec-done-display
22278 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22281 @cindex ARM AArch64
22282 @item set debug aarch64
22283 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22284 The default is off.
22286 @item show debug aarch64
22287 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22289 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
22290 @cindex architecture debugging info
22291 @item set debug arch
22292 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22293 @item show debug arch
22294 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22295 @item set debug aix-solib
22296 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
22297 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
22298 support module. The default is off.
22299 @item show debug aix-thread
22300 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
22301 @item set debug aix-thread
22302 @cindex AIX threads
22303 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22305 @item show debug aix-thread
22306 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22307 @item set debug check-physname
22309 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22310 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22311 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22312 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22313 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22314 both ways and display any discrepancies.
22315 @item show debug check-physname
22316 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22317 @item set debug coff-pe-read
22318 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22319 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22320 exported symbols. The default is off.
22321 @item show debug coff-pe-read
22322 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22323 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22324 @item set debug dwarf2-die
22325 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22326 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22327 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22328 A value of zero turns off the display.
22329 @item show debug dwarf2-die
22330 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22331 @item set debug dwarf2-read
22332 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
22333 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22334 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22335 @item show debug dwarf2-read
22336 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22337 @item set debug displaced
22338 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22339 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22340 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22341 @item show debug displaced
22342 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22343 related to displaced stepping.
22344 @item set debug event
22345 @cindex event debugging info
22346 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22348 @item show debug event
22349 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22351 @item set debug expression
22352 @cindex expression debugging info
22353 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22354 expression parsing. The default is off.
22355 @item show debug expression
22356 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22357 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22358 @item set debug frame
22359 @cindex frame debugging info
22360 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22362 @item show debug frame
22363 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22365 @item set debug gnu-nat
22366 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22367 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22368 @item show debug gnu-nat
22369 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22370 @item set debug infrun
22371 @cindex inferior debugging info
22372 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22373 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22374 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22375 @item show debug infrun
22376 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22377 @item set debug jit
22378 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22379 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22380 @item show debug jit
22381 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22382 @item set debug lin-lwp
22383 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22384 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22385 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22386 @item show debug lin-lwp
22387 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22388 @item set debug mach-o
22389 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22390 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22391 processing. The default is off.
22392 @item show debug mach-o
22393 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22394 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22395 @item set debug notification
22396 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22397 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22398 The default is off.
22399 @item show debug notification
22400 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22401 @item set debug observer
22402 @cindex observer debugging info
22403 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22404 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22405 @item show debug observer
22406 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22407 @item set debug overload
22408 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22409 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22410 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22412 @item show debug overload
22413 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22415 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22416 @cindex debug expression parser
22417 @item set debug parser
22418 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22419 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22420 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22421 details. The default is off.
22422 @item show debug parser
22423 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22424 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22425 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22426 @cindex debug remote protocol
22427 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22428 @cindex display remote packets
22429 @item set debug remote
22430 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22431 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22432 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22433 @item show debug remote
22434 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22435 @item set debug serial
22436 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22438 @item show debug serial
22439 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22441 @item set debug solib-frv
22442 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22443 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22444 @item show debug solib-frv
22445 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22447 @item set debug symtab-create
22448 @cindex symbol table creation
22449 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22450 The default is off.
22451 @item show debug symtab-create
22452 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22453 @item set debug target
22454 @cindex target debugging info
22455 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22456 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22457 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22458 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22459 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22460 @item show debug target
22461 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22463 @item set debug timestamp
22464 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22465 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22466 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22468 @item show debug timestamp
22469 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22471 @item set debugvarobj
22472 @cindex variable object debugging info
22473 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22474 info. The default is off.
22475 @item show debugvarobj
22476 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22478 @item set debug xml
22479 @cindex XML parser debugging
22480 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22481 @item show debug xml
22482 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22485 @node Other Misc Settings
22486 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22487 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22490 @kindex set interactive-mode
22491 @item set interactive-mode
22492 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22493 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22494 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22495 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22496 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22497 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22498 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22499 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22501 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22502 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22503 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22504 inside a cygwin window.
22506 @kindex show interactive-mode
22507 @item show interactive-mode
22508 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22511 @node Extending GDB
22512 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22513 @cindex extending GDB
22515 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22516 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22517 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22520 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22521 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22522 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22523 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22524 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22525 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22527 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22531 @kindex set script-extension
22532 @kindex show script-extension
22533 @item set script-extension off
22534 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22536 @item set script-extension soft
22537 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22538 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22539 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22540 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22542 @item set script-extension strict
22543 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22544 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22545 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22547 @item show script-extension
22548 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22553 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22554 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22555 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22559 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22561 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22562 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22563 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22567 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22568 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22569 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22570 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22574 @subsection User-defined Commands
22576 @cindex user-defined command
22577 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22578 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22579 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22580 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22581 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22582 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22586 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22591 To execute the command use:
22598 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22599 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22600 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22603 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22604 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22605 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22606 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22611 print $arg0 + $arg1
22614 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22622 @item define @var{commandname}
22623 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22624 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22625 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22626 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22627 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22628 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22630 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22631 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22632 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22635 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22636 @item document @var{commandname}
22637 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22638 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22639 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22640 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22641 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22642 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22644 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22645 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22646 does not change the documentation.
22648 @kindex dont-repeat
22649 @cindex don't repeat command
22651 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22652 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22653 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22655 @kindex help user-defined
22656 @item help user-defined
22657 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22658 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22663 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22664 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22665 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22666 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22667 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22669 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22670 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22671 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22672 @item show max-user-call-depth
22673 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22674 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22675 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22676 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22677 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22680 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22681 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22683 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22684 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22685 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22687 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22688 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22689 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22690 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22693 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22694 @cindex command hooks
22695 @cindex hooks, for commands
22696 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22699 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22700 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22701 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22702 before that command.
22704 @cindex hooks, post-command
22706 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22707 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22708 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22709 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22710 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22712 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22713 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22715 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22716 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22718 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22719 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22720 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22721 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22722 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22724 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22725 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22730 handle SIGALRM nopass
22734 handle SIGALRM pass
22737 define hook-continue
22738 handle SIGALRM pass
22742 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22743 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22751 define hookpost-echo
22755 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22756 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22761 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22762 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22763 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22764 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22766 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22767 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22768 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22770 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22771 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22772 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22774 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22775 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22777 @node Command Files
22778 @subsection Command Files
22780 @cindex command files
22781 @cindex scripting commands
22782 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22783 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22784 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22785 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22788 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22789 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22790 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22791 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22792 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22796 @cindex execute commands from a file
22797 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22798 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22801 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22802 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22803 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22804 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22805 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22807 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22808 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22809 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22810 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22811 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22812 is not relevant to scripts.
22814 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22815 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22816 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22817 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22818 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22819 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22820 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22821 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22822 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22823 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22824 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22825 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22826 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22827 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22829 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22830 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22831 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22833 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22834 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22835 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22836 when called from command files.
22838 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22839 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22840 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22841 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22845 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22848 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22849 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22850 would be directed to @file{log}.
22852 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22853 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22854 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22855 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22856 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22857 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22858 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22859 conditionally, etc.
22866 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22867 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22868 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22869 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22870 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22871 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22872 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22876 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22877 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22878 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22879 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22880 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22881 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22885 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22886 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22889 @kindex loop_continue
22890 @item loop_continue
22891 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22892 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22893 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22894 the controlling expression.
22896 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22898 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22899 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22904 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22906 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22907 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22908 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22909 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22914 @item echo @var{text}
22915 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22916 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22917 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22918 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22919 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22920 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22921 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22922 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22923 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22924 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22925 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22927 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22928 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22931 echo This is some text\n\
22932 which is continued\n\
22933 onto several lines.\n
22936 produces the same output as
22939 echo This is some text\n
22940 echo which is continued\n
22941 echo onto several lines.\n
22945 @item output @var{expression}
22946 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22947 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22948 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22951 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22952 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22953 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22954 Formats}, for more information.
22957 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22958 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22959 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22960 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22961 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22962 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22963 executing the code below:
22966 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22969 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22970 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22971 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22972 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22973 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22976 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22979 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22982 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22983 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22984 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22988 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22991 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22995 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22996 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22999 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
23003 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
23006 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
23010 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
23011 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
23012 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
23013 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
23015 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
23016 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
23017 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
23018 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
23021 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
23022 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
23023 together with a floating point specifier.
23028 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
23031 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
23034 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
23037 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
23038 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
23039 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
23041 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
23042 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
23044 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
23046 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
23050 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23051 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23052 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
23057 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
23058 @cindex python scripting
23059 @cindex scripting with python
23061 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
23062 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
23063 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
23065 @cindex python directory
23066 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
23067 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
23068 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
23069 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
23070 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
23071 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
23073 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
23074 are written in Python and are located in the
23075 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
23076 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
23077 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
23080 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
23081 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
23082 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
23083 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
23086 @node Python Commands
23087 @subsection Python Commands
23088 @cindex python commands
23089 @cindex commands to access python
23091 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
23092 and one related setting:
23095 @kindex python-interactive
23097 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23098 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23099 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
23100 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
23101 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
23103 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
23104 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
23105 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
23108 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
23114 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23115 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23116 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
23118 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
23119 argument as a Python command. For example:
23122 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
23126 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
23127 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
23128 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
23129 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
23130 containing @code{end}. For example:
23133 (@value{GDBP}) python
23135 End with a line saying just "end".
23141 @kindex set python print-stack
23142 @item set python print-stack
23143 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
23144 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
23145 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
23146 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
23147 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
23148 the message component of the error is printed.
23151 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
23155 @item source @file{script-name}
23156 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
23157 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
23158 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
23160 @item python execfile ("script-name")
23161 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
23162 and thus is always available.
23166 @subsection Python API
23168 @cindex programming in python
23170 You can get quick online help for @value{GDBN}'s Python API by issuing
23171 the command @w{@kbd{python help (gdb)}}.
23173 Functions and methods which have two or more optional arguments allow
23174 them to be specified using keyword syntax. This allows passing some
23175 optional arguments while skipping others. Example:
23176 @w{@code{gdb.some_function ('foo', bar = 1, baz = 2)}}.
23179 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
23180 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
23181 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
23182 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
23183 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
23184 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
23185 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
23186 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
23187 * Frame Filter API:: Filtering Frames.
23188 * Frame Decorator API:: Decorating Frames.
23189 * Writing a Frame Filter:: Writing a Frame Filter.
23190 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
23191 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
23192 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23193 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23194 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23195 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23196 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23197 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23198 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23199 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing blocks from Python.
23200 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23201 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23202 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23203 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23205 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23206 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23210 @subsubsection Basic Python
23212 @cindex python stdout
23213 @cindex python pagination
23214 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
23215 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
23216 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
23217 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
23218 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
23220 Some care must be taken when writing Python code to run in
23221 @value{GDBN}. Two things worth noting in particular:
23225 @value{GDBN} install handlers for @code{SIGCHLD} and @code{SIGINT}.
23226 Python code must not override these, or even change the options using
23227 @code{sigaction}. If your program changes the handling of these
23228 signals, @value{GDBN} will most likely stop working correctly. Note
23229 that it is unfortunately common for GUI toolkits to install a
23230 @code{SIGCHLD} handler.
23233 @value{GDBN} takes care to mark its internal file descriptors as
23234 close-on-exec. However, this cannot be done in a thread-safe way on
23235 all platforms. Your Python programs should be aware of this and
23236 should both create new file descriptors with the close-on-exec flag
23237 set and arrange to close unneeded file descriptors before starting a
23241 @cindex python functions
23242 @cindex python module
23244 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23245 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23246 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23247 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23249 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23250 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23251 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23254 @findex gdb.execute
23255 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23256 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23257 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23258 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23260 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23261 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23262 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23264 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23265 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23266 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23267 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23268 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23269 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23270 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23273 @findex gdb.breakpoints
23274 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23275 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23276 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23279 @findex gdb.parameter
23280 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23281 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23282 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23283 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23284 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23286 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23287 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23288 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23289 type, and returned.
23292 @findex gdb.history
23293 @defun gdb.history (number)
23294 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23295 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23296 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23297 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23298 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23299 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23300 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23303 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23304 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23307 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23308 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23309 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23310 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23311 @var{expression} must be a string.
23313 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23314 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23315 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23316 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23317 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23320 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
23321 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23322 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23323 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23324 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23325 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23326 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23329 @findex gdb.post_event
23330 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
23331 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23332 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23333 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23334 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23335 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23336 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23338 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23339 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23340 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23344 (@value{GDBP}) python
23348 > def __init__(self, message):
23349 > self.message = message;
23350 > def __call__(self):
23351 > gdb.write(self.message)
23353 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23355 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23357 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23359 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23361 >MyThread1().start()
23362 >MyThread2().start()
23364 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23369 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23370 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23371 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23372 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23379 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23384 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23389 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23392 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23393 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23398 @defun gdb.flush ()
23399 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23400 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23401 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23402 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23403 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23410 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23415 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23420 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23424 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23425 call this function for the relevant stream.
23428 @findex gdb.target_charset
23429 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23430 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23431 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23432 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23435 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23436 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23437 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23438 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23439 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23443 @findex gdb.solib_name
23444 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23445 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23446 as a string, or @code{None}.
23449 @findex gdb.decode_line
23450 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23451 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23452 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23453 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23454 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23455 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23456 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23457 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23458 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23459 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23460 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23463 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23464 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23466 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23467 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23470 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23471 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23472 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23473 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23474 the current prompt.
23476 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23477 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23478 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23481 @node Exception Handling
23482 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23483 @cindex python exceptions
23484 @cindex exceptions, python
23486 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23487 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23488 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23489 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23490 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23491 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23492 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23495 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23496 Traceback (most recent call last):
23497 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23498 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23501 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23502 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23503 Python exception depends on the error.
23507 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23508 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23509 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23511 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23512 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23514 @item gdb.MemoryError
23515 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23516 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23518 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23519 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23520 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23523 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23524 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23525 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23528 @findex gdb.GdbError
23529 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23530 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23531 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23532 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23533 to handle this case. Example:
23537 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23538 > """Greet the whole world."""
23539 > def __init__ (self):
23540 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23541 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23542 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23543 > if len (argv) != 0:
23544 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23545 > print "Hello, World!"
23548 (gdb) hello-world 42
23549 hello-world takes no arguments
23552 @node Values From Inferior
23553 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23554 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23555 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23557 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23558 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23559 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23560 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23561 fetching values when necessary.
23563 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23564 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23565 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23572 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23573 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23575 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23576 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23577 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23578 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23581 bar = some_val['foo']
23584 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23586 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23587 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23588 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23591 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23592 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23593 execute this function, call it like so:
23596 result = some_val (10,20)
23599 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23602 The following attributes are provided:
23604 @defvar Value.address
23605 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23606 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23607 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23610 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23611 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23612 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23613 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23617 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23618 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23621 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23622 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23623 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23624 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23625 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23626 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23627 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23628 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23631 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23632 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23633 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23634 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23637 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23638 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23639 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23640 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23644 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23647 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23648 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23652 The following methods are provided:
23654 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23655 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23656 this object initializer. Specifically:
23659 @item Python boolean
23660 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23663 @item Python integer
23664 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23665 current architecture.
23668 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23669 current architecture.
23672 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23673 current architecture.
23675 @item Python string
23676 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23679 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23680 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23682 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23683 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23684 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23685 its result is used.
23689 @defun Value.cast (type)
23690 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23691 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23692 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23693 reason, this method throws an exception.
23696 @defun Value.dereference ()
23697 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23698 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23699 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23706 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23707 @code{foo} points to like this:
23710 bar = foo.dereference ()
23713 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23714 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23716 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23717 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23718 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23719 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23720 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23721 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23722 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23723 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23727 typedef int *intptr;
23731 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23734 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23735 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23736 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23737 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23738 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23739 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23742 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23743 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23744 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23747 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23748 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23749 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23750 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23751 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23752 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23753 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23754 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23755 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23756 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23759 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23760 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23761 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23762 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23763 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23764 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23765 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23766 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23767 in your C@t{++} program as
23775 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23776 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23777 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23778 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23781 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23782 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23783 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23786 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23787 corresponding to @code{val}.
23790 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23791 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23792 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23795 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23796 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23797 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23800 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23801 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23802 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23803 throw an exception.
23805 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23806 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23809 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23810 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23811 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23812 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23813 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23815 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23816 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23817 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23818 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23819 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23820 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23821 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23822 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23823 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23825 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23826 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23828 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23829 fetched and converted to the given length.
23832 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23833 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23834 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23835 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23837 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23838 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23839 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23840 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23841 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23843 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23844 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23845 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23846 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23847 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23848 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23850 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23851 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23852 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23853 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23856 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23857 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23858 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23859 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23860 will produce a Python exception.
23862 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23865 This method does not return a value.
23869 @node Types In Python
23870 @subsubsection Types In Python
23871 @cindex types in Python
23872 @cindex Python, working with types
23875 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23878 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23881 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23882 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23883 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23884 type to look up. It must be a string.
23886 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23887 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23889 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23890 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23893 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23894 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23895 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23896 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23899 bar = some_type['foo']
23902 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23903 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23904 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23906 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23909 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23910 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23913 @defvar Type.sizeof
23914 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23915 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23916 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23920 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23921 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23922 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23923 @code{None} is returned.
23926 The following methods are provided:
23928 @defun Type.fields ()
23929 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23930 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23931 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23932 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23933 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23934 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23936 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23939 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23940 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23941 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23942 enumeration member's integer representation.
23945 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23948 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23949 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23950 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23952 @item is_base_class
23953 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23954 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23955 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23956 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23959 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23960 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23961 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23964 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23965 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23969 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23970 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23971 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23972 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23973 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23974 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23975 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23978 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23979 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23980 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23981 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23982 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23983 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23984 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23986 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23987 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23988 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23991 @defun Type.const ()
23992 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23993 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23996 @defun Type.volatile ()
23997 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23998 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
24001 @defun Type.unqualified ()
24002 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
24003 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
24007 @defun Type.range ()
24008 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
24009 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
24010 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
24011 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24014 @defun Type.reference ()
24015 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
24019 @defun Type.pointer ()
24020 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
24024 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
24025 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
24026 after removing all layers of typedefs.
24029 @defun Type.target ()
24030 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
24033 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
24034 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
24035 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
24036 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
24037 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
24038 target type is the aliased type.
24040 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
24044 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
24045 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
24046 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
24047 @var{n}th template argument.
24049 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
24050 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
24052 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
24053 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
24057 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
24058 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
24059 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24062 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
24063 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24064 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24065 The type is a pointer.
24067 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24068 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24069 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24070 The type is an array.
24072 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24073 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24074 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24075 The type is a structure.
24077 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
24078 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24079 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24080 The type is a union.
24082 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24083 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24084 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24085 The type is an enum.
24087 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24088 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24089 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24090 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
24092 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24093 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24094 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24095 The type is a function.
24097 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
24098 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24099 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24100 The type is an integer type.
24102 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
24103 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24104 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24105 A floating point type.
24107 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
24108 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24109 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24110 The special type @code{void}.
24112 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
24113 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24114 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24117 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24118 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24119 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24120 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
24122 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
24123 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24124 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24125 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
24126 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
24128 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24129 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24130 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24131 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
24133 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24134 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24135 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24136 An unknown or erroneous type.
24138 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24139 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24140 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24141 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
24143 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24144 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24145 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24146 A pointer-to-member-function.
24148 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24149 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24150 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24151 A pointer-to-member.
24153 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
24154 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24155 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24158 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24159 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24160 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24163 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24164 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24165 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24168 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24169 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24170 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24171 A complex float type.
24173 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24174 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24175 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24176 A typedef to some other type.
24178 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24179 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24180 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24181 A C@t{++} namespace.
24183 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24184 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24185 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24186 A decimal floating point type.
24188 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24189 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24190 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24191 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
24192 convenience functions.
24195 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
24196 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
24198 @node Pretty Printing API
24199 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
24201 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24203 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
24204 specific interface, defined here.
24206 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
24207 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
24208 children of the pretty-printer's value.
24210 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24211 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
24212 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
24213 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
24214 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
24216 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
24217 as though the value has no children.
24220 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
24221 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24222 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24223 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24226 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24229 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24233 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24234 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24235 @code{set print array}.
24238 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24239 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24243 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24244 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24245 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24246 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24247 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24248 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
24252 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24253 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24254 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24256 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24257 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24258 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24259 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24260 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24261 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24262 the result of @code{children}.
24264 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24266 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24267 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24268 another pretty-printer.
24270 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24271 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24272 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24273 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24274 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24276 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24277 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24279 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24282 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24283 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24285 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
24286 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24287 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24288 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24289 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24292 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24293 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24295 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24296 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24297 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24298 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24299 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24300 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24303 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24304 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24305 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24306 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24309 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24310 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24311 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24312 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24313 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24314 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24315 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24316 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24317 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24318 object is returned.
24320 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24321 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24322 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24323 object is returned.
24325 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24326 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24327 the pretty-printer is out of date.
24329 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24330 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24331 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24332 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24333 with a broken printer.
24335 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24336 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24337 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24338 the printer is enabled.
24340 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24341 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24342 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
24344 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24345 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24347 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24348 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24352 class StdStringPrinter(object):
24353 "Print a std::string"
24355 def __init__(self, val):
24358 def to_string(self):
24359 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24361 def display_hint(self):
24365 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24366 example above might be written.
24369 def str_lookup_function(val):
24370 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24371 if lookup_tag == None:
24373 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24374 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24375 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24379 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24380 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24381 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24382 returns @code{None}.
24384 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24385 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24386 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24387 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24388 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24391 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24392 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24393 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24394 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24395 the current objfile.
24397 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24398 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24399 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24400 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24401 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24402 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24403 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24404 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24407 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24408 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24411 def register_printers(objfile):
24412 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24416 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24419 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24420 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24423 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24424 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24425 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24426 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24427 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24429 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24430 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24431 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24432 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24433 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24434 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24436 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24437 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24438 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24440 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24443 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24444 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24447 Here are the printers:
24451 """Print a foo object."""
24453 def __init__(self, val):
24456 def to_string(self):
24457 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24458 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24461 """Print a bar object."""
24463 def __init__(self, val):
24466 def to_string(self):
24467 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24468 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24471 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24472 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24473 the object that handles the lookup.
24476 import gdb.printing
24478 def build_pretty_printer():
24479 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24481 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24482 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24486 And here is the autoload support:
24489 import gdb.printing
24491 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24492 gdb.current_objfile(),
24493 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24496 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24497 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24500 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24507 @node Type Printing API
24508 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24509 @cindex type printing API for Python
24511 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24512 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24515 @cindex type printer
24516 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24517 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24518 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24520 @defivar type_printer enabled
24521 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24522 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24523 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24526 @defivar type_printer name
24527 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24528 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24532 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24533 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24534 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24535 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24539 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24540 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24541 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24542 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24543 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24545 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24546 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24547 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24549 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24550 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24551 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24552 The recognition function is defined as:
24554 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24555 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24556 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24557 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24561 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24562 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24563 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24564 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24565 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24566 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24569 @node Frame Filter API
24570 @subsubsection Filtering Frames.
24571 @cindex frame filters api
24573 Frame filters are Python objects that manipulate the visibility of a
24574 frame or frames when a backtrace (@pxref{Backtrace}) is printed by
24577 Only commands that print a backtrace, or, in the case of @sc{gdb/mi}
24578 commands (@pxref{GDB/MI}), those that return a collection of frames
24579 are affected. The commands that work with frame filters are:
24581 @code{backtrace} (@pxref{backtrace-command,, The backtrace command}),
24582 @code{-stack-list-frames}
24583 (@pxref{-stack-list-frames,, The -stack-list-frames command}),
24584 @code{-stack-list-variables} (@pxref{-stack-list-variables,, The
24585 -stack-list-variables command}), @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24586 @pxref{-stack-list-arguments,, The -stack-list-arguments command}) and
24587 @code{-stack-list-locals} (@pxref{-stack-list-locals,, The
24588 -stack-list-locals command}).
24590 A frame filter works by taking an iterator as an argument, applying
24591 actions to the contents of that iterator, and returning another
24592 iterator (or, possibly, the same iterator it was provided in the case
24593 where the filter does not perform any operations). Typically, frame
24594 filters utilize tools such as the Python's @code{itertools} module to
24595 work with and create new iterators from the source iterator.
24596 Regardless of how a filter chooses to apply actions, it must not alter
24597 the underlying @value{GDBN} frame or frames, or attempt to alter the
24598 call-stack within @value{GDBN}. This preserves data integrity within
24599 @value{GDBN}. Frame filters are executed on a priority basis and care
24600 should be taken that some frame filters may have been executed before,
24601 and that some frame filters will be executed after.
24603 An important consideration when designing frame filters, and well
24604 worth reflecting upon, is that frame filters should avoid unwinding
24605 the call stack if possible. Some stacks can run very deep, into the
24606 tens of thousands in some cases. To search every frame when a frame
24607 filter executes may be too expensive at that step. The frame filter
24608 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it may have to
24609 iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
24610 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames. If
24611 the filter can defer unwinding frames until frame decorators are
24612 executed, after the last filter has executed, it should. @xref{Frame
24613 Decorator API}, for more information on decorators. Also, there are
24614 examples for both frame decorators and filters in later chapters.
24615 @xref{Writing a Frame Filter}, for more information.
24617 The Python dictionary @code{gdb.frame_filters} contains key/object
24618 pairings that comprise a frame filter. Frame filters in this
24619 dictionary are called @code{global} frame filters, and they are
24620 available when debugging all inferiors. These frame filters must
24621 register with the dictionary directly. In addition to the
24622 @code{global} dictionary, there are other dictionaries that are loaded
24623 with different inferiors via auto-loading (@pxref{Python
24624 Auto-loading}). The two other areas where frame filter dictionaries
24625 can be found are: @code{gdb.Progspace} which contains a
24626 @code{frame_filters} dictionary attribute, and each @code{gdb.Objfile}
24627 object which also contains a @code{frame_filters} dictionary
24630 When a command is executed from @value{GDBN} that is compatible with
24631 frame filters, @value{GDBN} combines the @code{global},
24632 @code{gdb.Progspace} and all @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries currently
24633 loaded. All of the @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries are combined, as
24634 several frames, and thus several object files, might be in use.
24635 @value{GDBN} then prunes any frame filter whose @code{enabled}
24636 attribute is @code{False}. This pruned list is then sorted according
24637 to the @code{priority} attribute in each filter.
24639 Once the dictionaries are combined, pruned and sorted, @value{GDBN}
24640 creates an iterator which wraps each frame in the call stack in a
24641 @code{FrameDecorator} object, and calls each filter in order. The
24642 output from the previous filter will always be the input to the next
24645 Frame filters have a mandatory interface which each frame filter must
24646 implement, defined here:
24648 @defun FrameFilter.filter (iterator)
24649 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a frame filter when it has
24650 reached the order in the priority list for that filter.
24652 For example, if there are four frame filters:
24663 The order that the frame filters will be called is:
24666 Filter3 -> Filter2 -> Filter1 -> Filter4
24669 Note that the output from @code{Filter3} is passed to the input of
24670 @code{Filter2}, and so on.
24672 This @code{filter} method is passed a Python iterator. This iterator
24673 contains a sequence of frame decorators that wrap each
24674 @code{gdb.Frame}, or a frame decorator that wraps another frame
24675 decorator. The first filter that is executed in the sequence of frame
24676 filters will receive an iterator entirely comprised of default
24677 @code{FrameDecorator} objects. However, after each frame filter is
24678 executed, the previous frame filter may have wrapped some or all of
24679 the frame decorators with their own frame decorator. As frame
24680 decorators must also conform to a mandatory interface, these
24681 decorators can be assumed to act in a uniform manner (@pxref{Frame
24684 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24685 protocol. Each item in the iterator must be an object conforming to
24686 the frame decorator interface. If a frame filter does not wish to
24687 perform any operations on this iterator, it should return that
24688 iterator untouched.
24690 This method is not optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will
24691 raise and print an error.
24694 @defvar FrameFilter.name
24695 The @code{name} attribute must be Python string which contains the
24696 name of the filter displayed by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Frame Filter
24697 Management}). This attribute may contain any combination of letters
24698 or numbers. Care should be taken to ensure that it is unique. This
24699 attribute is mandatory.
24702 @defvar FrameFilter.enabled
24703 The @code{enabled} attribute must be Python boolean. This attribute
24704 indicates to @value{GDBN} whether the frame filter is enabled, and
24705 should be considered when frame filters are executed. If
24706 @code{enabled} is @code{True}, then the frame filter will be executed
24707 when any of the backtrace commands detailed earlier in this chapter
24708 are executed. If @code{enabled} is @code{False}, then the frame
24709 filter will not be executed. This attribute is mandatory.
24712 @defvar FrameFilter.priority
24713 The @code{priority} attribute must be Python integer. This attribute
24714 controls the order of execution in relation to other frame filters.
24715 There are no imposed limits on the range of @code{priority} other than
24716 it must be a valid integer. The higher the @code{priority} attribute,
24717 the sooner the frame filter will be executed in relation to other
24718 frame filters. Although @code{priority} can be negative, it is
24719 recommended practice to assume zero is the lowest priority that a
24720 frame filter can be assigned. Frame filters that have the same
24721 priority are executed in unsorted order in that priority slot. This
24722 attribute is mandatory.
24725 @node Frame Decorator API
24726 @subsubsection Decorating Frames.
24727 @cindex frame decorator api
24729 Frame decorators are sister objects to frame filters (@pxref{Frame
24730 Filter API}). Frame decorators are applied by a frame filter and can
24731 only be used in conjunction with frame filters.
24733 The purpose of a frame decorator is to customize the printed content
24734 of each @code{gdb.Frame} in commands where frame filters are executed.
24735 This concept is called decorating a frame. Frame decorators decorate
24736 a @code{gdb.Frame} with Python code contained within each API call.
24737 This separates the actual data contained in a @code{gdb.Frame} from
24738 the decorated data produced by a frame decorator. This abstraction is
24739 necessary to maintain integrity of the data contained in each
24742 Frame decorators have a mandatory interface, defined below.
24744 @value{GDBN} already contains a frame decorator called
24745 @code{FrameDecorator}. This contains substantial amounts of
24746 boilerplate code to decorate the content of a @code{gdb.Frame}. It is
24747 recommended that other frame decorators inherit and extend this
24748 object, and only to override the methods needed.
24750 @defun FrameDecorator.elided (self)
24752 The @code{elided} method groups frames together in a hierarchical
24753 system. An example would be an interpreter, where multiple low-level
24754 frames make up a single call in the interpreted language. In this
24755 example, the frame filter would elide the low-level frames and present
24756 a single high-level frame, representing the call in the interpreted
24757 language, to the user.
24759 The @code{elided} function must return an iterable and this iterable
24760 must contain the frames that are being elided wrapped in a suitable
24761 frame decorator. If no frames are being elided this function may
24762 return an empty iterable, or @code{None}. Elided frames are indented
24763 from normal frames in a @code{CLI} backtrace, or in the case of
24764 @code{GDB/MI}, are placed in the @code{children} field of the eliding
24767 It is the frame filter's task to also filter out the elided frames from
24768 the source iterator. This will avoid printing the frame twice.
24771 @defun FrameDecorator.function (self)
24773 This method returns the name of the function in the frame that is to
24776 This method must return a Python string describing the function, or
24779 If this function returns @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print any
24780 data for this field.
24783 @defun FrameDecorator.address (self)
24785 This method returns the address of the frame that is to be printed.
24787 This method must return a Python numeric integer type of sufficient
24788 size to describe the address of the frame, or @code{None}.
24790 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24791 any data for this field.
24794 @defun FrameDecorator.filename (self)
24796 This method returns the filename and path associated with this frame.
24798 This method must return a Python string containing the filename and
24799 the path to the object file backing the frame, or @code{None}.
24801 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24802 any data for this field.
24805 @defun FrameDecorator.line (self):
24807 This method returns the line number associated with the current
24808 position within the function addressed by this frame.
24810 This method must return a Python integer type, or @code{None}.
24812 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24813 any data for this field.
24816 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_args (self)
24817 @anchor{frame_args}
24819 This method must return an iterable, or @code{None}. Returning an
24820 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame arguments will not be
24821 printed for this frame. This iterable must contain objects that
24822 implement two methods, described here.
24824 This object must implement a @code{argument} method which takes a
24825 single @code{self} parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Symbol}
24826 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}), or a Python string. The object must also
24827 implement a @code{value} method which takes a single @code{self}
24828 parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From
24829 Inferior}), a Python value, or @code{None}. If the @code{value}
24830 method returns @code{None}, and the @code{argument} method returns a
24831 @code{gdb.Symbol}, @value{GDBN} will look-up and print the value of
24832 the @code{gdb.Symbol} automatically.
24837 class SymValueWrapper():
24839 def __init__(self, symbol, value):
24849 class SomeFrameDecorator()
24852 def frame_args(self):
24855 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
24859 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Only add
24860 # symbols that are arguments.
24862 if not sym.is_argument:
24864 args.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
24866 # Add example synthetic argument.
24867 args.append(SymValueWrapper(``foo'', 42))
24873 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_locals (self)
24875 This method must return an iterable or @code{None}. Returning an
24876 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame local arguments will not be
24877 printed for this frame.
24879 The object interface, the description of the various strategies for
24880 reading frame locals, and the example are largely similar to those
24881 described in the @code{frame_args} function, (@pxref{frame_args,,The
24882 frame filter frame_args function}). Below is a modified example:
24885 class SomeFrameDecorator()
24888 def frame_locals(self):
24891 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
24895 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Add all
24896 # symbols, except arguments.
24898 if sym.is_argument:
24900 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
24902 # Add an example of a synthetic local variable.
24903 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(``bar'', 99))
24909 @defun FrameDecorator.inferior_frame (self):
24911 This method must return the underlying @code{gdb.Frame} that this
24912 frame decorator is decorating. @value{GDBN} requires the underlying
24913 frame for internal frame information to determine how to print certain
24914 values when printing a frame.
24917 @node Writing a Frame Filter
24918 @subsubsection Writing a Frame Filter
24919 @cindex writing a frame filter
24921 There are three basic elements that a frame filter must implement: it
24922 must correctly implement the documented interface (@pxref{Frame Filter
24923 API}), it must register itself with @value{GDBN}, and finally, it must
24924 decide if it is to work on the data provided by @value{GDBN}. In all
24925 cases, whether it works on the iterator or not, each frame filter must
24926 return an iterator. A bare-bones frame filter follows the pattern in
24927 the following example.
24932 class FrameFilter():
24934 def __init__(self):
24935 # Frame filter attribute creation.
24937 # 'name' is the name of the filter that GDB will display.
24939 # 'priority' is the priority of the filter relative to other
24942 # 'enabled' is a boolean that indicates whether this filter is
24943 # enabled and should be executed.
24946 self.priority = 100
24947 self.enabled = True
24949 # Register this frame filter with the global frame_filters
24951 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
24953 def filter(self, frame_iter):
24954 # Just return the iterator.
24958 The frame filter in the example above implements the three
24959 requirements for all frame filters. It implements the API, self
24960 registers, and makes a decision on the iterator (in this case, it just
24961 returns the iterator untouched).
24963 The first step is attribute creation and assignment, and as shown in
24964 the comments the filter assigns the following attributes: @code{name},
24965 @code{priority} and whether the filter should be enabled with the
24966 @code{enabled} attribute.
24968 The second step is registering the frame filter with the dictionary or
24969 dictionaries that the frame filter has interest in. As shown in the
24970 comments, this filter just registers itself with the global dictionary
24971 @code{gdb.frame_filters}. As noted earlier, @code{gdb.frame_filters}
24972 is a dictionary that is initialized in the @code{gdb} module when
24973 @value{GDBN} starts. What dictionary a filter registers with is an
24974 important consideration. Generally, if a filter is specific to a set
24975 of code, it should be registered either in the @code{objfile} or
24976 @code{progspace} dictionaries as they are specific to the program
24977 currently loaded in @value{GDBN}. The global dictionary is always
24978 present in @value{GDBN} and is never unloaded. Any filters registered
24979 with the global dictionary will exist until @value{GDBN} exits. To
24980 avoid filters that may conflict, it is generally better to register
24981 frame filters against the dictionaries that more closely align with
24982 the usage of the filter currently in question. @xref{Python
24983 Auto-loading}, for further information on auto-loading Python scripts.
24985 @value{GDBN} takes a hands-off approach to frame filter registration,
24986 therefore it is the frame filter's responsibility to ensure
24987 registration has occurred, and that any exceptions are handled
24988 appropriately. In particular, you may wish to handle exceptions
24989 relating to Python dictionary key uniqueness. It is mandatory that
24990 the dictionary key is the same as frame filter's @code{name}
24991 attribute. When a user manages frame filters (@pxref{Frame Filter
24992 Management}), the names @value{GDBN} will display are those contained
24993 in the @code{name} attribute.
24995 The final step of this example is the implementation of the
24996 @code{filter} method. As shown in the example comments, we define the
24997 @code{filter} method and note that the method must take an iterator,
24998 and also must return an iterator. In this bare-bones example, the
24999 frame filter is not very useful as it just returns the iterator
25000 untouched. However this is a valid operation for frame filters that
25001 have the @code{enabled} attribute set, but decide not to operate on
25004 In the next example, the frame filter operates on all frames and
25005 utilizes a frame decorator to perform some work on the frames.
25006 @xref{Frame Decorator API}, for further information on the frame
25007 decorator interface.
25009 This example works on inlined frames. It highlights frames which are
25010 inlined by tagging them with an ``[inlined]'' tag. By applying a
25011 frame decorator to all frames with the Python @code{itertools imap}
25012 method, the example defers actions to the frame decorator. Frame
25013 decorators are only processed when @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace.
25015 This introduces a new decision making topic: whether to perform
25016 decision making operations at the filtering step, or at the printing
25017 step. In this example's approach, it does not perform any filtering
25018 decisions at the filtering step beyond mapping a frame decorator to
25019 each frame. This allows the actual decision making to be performed
25020 when each frame is printed. This is an important consideration, and
25021 well worth reflecting upon when designing a frame filter. An issue
25022 that frame filters should avoid is unwinding the stack if possible.
25023 Some stacks can run very deep, into the tens of thousands in some
25024 cases. To search every frame to determine if it is inlined ahead of
25025 time may be too expensive at the filtering step. The frame filter
25026 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it would have
25027 to iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
25028 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames.
25030 In this example decision making can be deferred to the printing step.
25031 As each frame is printed, the frame decorator can examine each frame
25032 in turn when @value{GDBN} iterates. From a performance viewpoint,
25033 this is the most appropriate decision to make as it avoids duplicating
25034 the effort that the printing step would undertake anyway. Also, if
25035 there are many frame filters unwinding the stack during filtering, it
25036 can substantially delay the printing of the backtrace which will
25037 result in large memory usage, and a poor user experience.
25040 class InlineFilter():
25042 def __init__(self):
25043 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25044 self.priority = 100
25045 self.enabled = True
25046 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25048 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25049 frame_iter = itertools.imap(InlinedFrameDecorator,
25054 This frame filter is somewhat similar to the earlier example, except
25055 that the @code{filter} method applies a frame decorator object called
25056 @code{InlinedFrameDecorator} to each element in the iterator. The
25057 @code{imap} Python method is light-weight. It does not proactively
25058 iterate over the iterator, but rather creates a new iterator which
25059 wraps the existing one.
25061 Below is the frame decorator for this example.
25064 class InlinedFrameDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25066 def __init__(self, fobj):
25067 super(InlinedFrameDecorator, self).__init__(fobj)
25069 def function(self):
25070 frame = fobj.inferior_frame()
25071 name = str(frame.name())
25073 if frame.type() == gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25074 name = name + " [inlined]"
25079 This frame decorator only defines and overrides the @code{function}
25080 method. It lets the supplied @code{FrameDecorator}, which is shipped
25081 with @value{GDBN}, perform the other work associated with printing
25084 The combination of these two objects create this output from a
25088 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25089 #1 0x00400566 in max [inlined] (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:21
25090 #2 0x00400566 in main () at inline.c:31
25093 So in the case of this example, a frame decorator is applied to all
25094 frames, regardless of whether they may be inlined or not. As
25095 @value{GDBN} iterates over the iterator produced by the frame filters,
25096 @value{GDBN} executes each frame decorator which then makes a decision
25097 on what to print in the @code{function} callback. Using a strategy
25098 like this is a way to defer decisions on the frame content to printing
25101 @subheading Eliding Frames
25103 It might be that the above example is not desirable for representing
25104 inlined frames, and a hierarchical approach may be preferred. If we
25105 want to hierarchically represent frames, the @code{elided} frame
25106 decorator interface might be preferable.
25108 This example approaches the issue with the @code{elided} method. This
25109 example is quite long, but very simplistic. It is out-of-scope for
25110 this section to write a complete example that comprehensively covers
25111 all approaches of finding and printing inlined frames. However, this
25112 example illustrates the approach an author might use.
25114 This example comprises of three sections.
25117 class InlineFrameFilter():
25119 def __init__(self):
25120 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25121 self.priority = 100
25122 self.enabled = True
25123 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25125 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25126 return ElidingInlineIterator(frame_iter)
25129 This frame filter is very similar to the other examples. The only
25130 difference is this frame filter is wrapping the iterator provided to
25131 it (@code{frame_iter}) with a custom iterator called
25132 @code{ElidingInlineIterator}. This again defers actions to when
25133 @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace, as the iterator is not traversed
25136 The iterator for this example is as follows. It is in this section of
25137 the example where decisions are made on the content of the backtrace.
25140 class ElidingInlineIterator:
25141 def __init__(self, ii):
25142 self.input_iterator = ii
25144 def __iter__(self):
25148 frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25150 if frame.inferior_frame().type() != gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25154 eliding_frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25155 except StopIteration:
25157 return ElidingFrameDecorator(eliding_frame, [frame])
25160 This iterator implements the Python iterator protocol. When the
25161 @code{next} function is called (when @value{GDBN} prints each frame),
25162 the iterator checks if this frame decorator, @code{frame}, is wrapping
25163 an inlined frame. If it is not, it returns the existing frame decorator
25164 untouched. If it is wrapping an inlined frame, it assumes that the
25165 inlined frame was contained within the next oldest frame,
25166 @code{eliding_frame}, which it fetches. It then creates and returns a
25167 frame decorator, @code{ElidingFrameDecorator}, which contains both the
25168 elided frame, and the eliding frame.
25171 class ElidingInlineDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25173 def __init__(self, frame, elided_frames):
25174 super(ElidingInlineDecorator, self).__init__(frame)
25176 self.elided_frames = elided_frames
25179 return iter(self.elided_frames)
25182 This frame decorator overrides one function and returns the inlined
25183 frame in the @code{elided} method. As before it lets
25184 @code{FrameDecorator} do the rest of the work involved in printing
25185 this frame. This produces the following output.
25188 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25189 #2 0x00400529 in main () at inline.c:25
25190 #1 0x00400529 in max (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:15
25193 In that output, @code{max} which has been inlined into @code{main} is
25194 printed hierarchically. Another approach would be to combine the
25195 @code{function} method, and the @code{elided} method to both print a
25196 marker in the inlined frame, and also show the hierarchical
25199 @node Inferiors In Python
25200 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
25201 @cindex inferiors in Python
25203 @findex gdb.Inferior
25204 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
25205 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
25206 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
25207 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
25209 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25212 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
25213 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
25216 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
25217 Return an object representing the current inferior.
25220 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
25222 @defvar Inferior.num
25223 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
25226 @defvar Inferior.pid
25227 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
25231 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
25232 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
25233 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
25236 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
25238 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
25239 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
25240 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
25241 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
25242 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
25243 at the time the method is called.
25246 @defun Inferior.threads ()
25247 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
25248 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
25249 return an empty tuple.
25252 @findex Inferior.read_memory
25253 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
25254 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
25255 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
25256 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
25257 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
25258 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
25261 @findex Inferior.write_memory
25262 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
25263 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
25264 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
25265 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25266 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
25267 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
25270 @findex gdb.search_memory
25271 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
25272 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
25273 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
25274 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
25275 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25276 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
25277 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
25278 the pattern could not be found.
25281 @node Events In Python
25282 @subsubsection Events In Python
25283 @cindex inferior events in Python
25285 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
25286 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
25289 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
25290 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
25291 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
25293 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
25294 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
25295 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
25296 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
25298 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
25299 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
25300 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
25303 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
25304 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
25305 will no longer receive notifications of events.
25308 Here is an example:
25311 def exit_handler (event):
25312 print "event type: exit"
25313 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
25315 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
25318 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
25319 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
25320 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
25321 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
25322 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
25325 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
25326 details of the events they emit:
25331 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25333 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25334 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
25335 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
25336 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
25337 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
25338 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
25340 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
25341 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
25342 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
25345 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25347 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
25348 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
25350 @item events.exited
25351 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
25352 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
25353 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
25354 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
25355 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
25356 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
25357 the attribute does not exist.
25359 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
25360 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
25364 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25366 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
25367 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
25368 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25369 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
25371 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25373 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
25374 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
25376 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
25377 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
25378 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
25379 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
25382 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25384 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
25385 been hit, and has the following attributes:
25387 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
25388 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
25389 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
25390 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
25392 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
25393 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
25394 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
25395 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
25398 @item events.new_objfile
25399 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
25400 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
25402 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
25403 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
25404 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
25409 @node Threads In Python
25410 @subsubsection Threads In Python
25411 @cindex threads in python
25413 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
25414 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
25415 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
25417 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25420 @findex gdb.selected_thread
25421 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
25422 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
25423 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
25426 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
25428 @defvar InferiorThread.name
25429 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
25430 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
25431 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
25432 returns @code{None}.
25434 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
25435 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
25436 user-specified thread name.
25439 @defvar InferiorThread.num
25440 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
25443 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
25444 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
25445 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
25446 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
25447 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
25448 does not use that identifier.
25451 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
25453 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
25454 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
25455 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
25456 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
25457 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
25458 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25461 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
25462 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
25466 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
25467 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
25470 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
25471 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
25474 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
25475 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
25478 @node Commands In Python
25479 @subsubsection Commands In Python
25481 @cindex commands in python
25482 @cindex python commands
25483 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
25484 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
25485 class, most commonly using a subclass.
25487 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
25488 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
25489 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
25490 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25492 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
25493 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25494 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
25495 an exception is raised.
25497 There is no support for multi-line commands.
25499 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25500 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
25501 new command in the help system.
25503 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
25504 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
25505 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
25506 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
25507 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
25508 error will occur when completion is attempted.
25510 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
25511 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
25514 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
25515 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
25516 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
25517 not documented.'' is used.
25520 @cindex don't repeat Python command
25521 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
25522 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
25523 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
25524 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
25525 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
25528 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
25529 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
25531 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
25532 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
25534 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
25535 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
25536 that the command came from elsewhere.
25538 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
25539 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
25541 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
25542 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
25543 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
25544 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
25545 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
25546 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
25550 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
25551 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
25556 @cindex completion of Python commands
25557 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
25558 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
25559 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
25560 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
25561 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
25564 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
25565 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
25566 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
25567 using a word-breaking heuristic.
25569 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
25572 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
25573 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
25574 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
25575 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
25576 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
25577 sequence are ignored.
25580 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
25581 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
25582 function is invoked, and its result is used.
25585 All other results are treated as though there were no available
25590 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
25591 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
25592 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
25593 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
25594 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
25595 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25598 @findex COMMAND_NONE
25599 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25600 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25601 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
25602 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
25604 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
25605 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25606 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25607 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
25608 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
25609 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25610 commands in this category.
25612 @findex COMMAND_DATA
25613 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25614 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25615 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
25616 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
25617 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
25620 @findex COMMAND_STACK
25621 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25622 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25623 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
25624 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
25625 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
25626 list of commands in this category.
25628 @findex COMMAND_FILES
25629 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25630 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25631 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
25632 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
25633 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25634 commands in this category.
25636 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
25637 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25638 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25639 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
25640 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
25641 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
25642 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
25643 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25644 commands in this category.
25646 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
25647 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25648 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25649 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
25650 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
25651 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
25652 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
25654 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25655 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25656 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25657 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
25658 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25659 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
25662 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25663 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25664 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25665 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
25666 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
25667 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25668 commands in this category.
25670 @findex COMMAND_USER
25671 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
25672 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
25673 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
25674 does not fit in one of the other categories.
25675 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
25676 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
25677 (@pxref{Sequences}).
25679 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
25680 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25681 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25682 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
25683 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
25684 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25685 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
25688 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25689 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25690 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25691 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
25692 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
25693 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25694 commands in this category.
25697 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
25698 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
25699 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
25700 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25703 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
25704 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25705 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25706 This constant means that no completion should be done.
25708 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
25709 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25710 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25711 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
25713 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
25714 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25715 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25716 This constant means that location completion should be done.
25717 @xref{Specify Location}.
25719 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
25720 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25721 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25722 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
25725 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25726 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25727 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25728 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
25732 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
25733 implemented in Python:
25736 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
25737 """Greet the whole world."""
25739 def __init__ (self):
25740 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
25742 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
25743 print "Hello, World!"
25748 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25749 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25750 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25751 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25753 @node Parameters In Python
25754 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
25756 @cindex parameters in python
25757 @cindex python parameters
25758 @tindex gdb.Parameter
25760 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
25761 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
25764 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
25765 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
25767 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
25768 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
25769 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
25770 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
25771 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
25773 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
25774 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
25775 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
25776 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25778 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
25779 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25780 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
25781 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
25782 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
25783 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
25784 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
25786 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
25787 can be found, an exception is raised.
25789 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25790 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
25791 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
25793 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
25794 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
25795 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
25798 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
25799 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
25800 represent the possible values for the parameter.
25802 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
25803 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
25805 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
25806 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
25807 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
25810 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
25811 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25812 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
25813 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25817 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
25818 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25819 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
25820 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25824 @defvar Parameter.value
25825 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
25826 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
25827 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
25830 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
25831 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
25833 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
25834 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
25835 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
25836 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
25837 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
25840 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
25841 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
25842 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
25843 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
25844 current value. This method must return a string.
25847 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
25848 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25852 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
25853 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25854 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25855 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
25856 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
25858 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25859 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25860 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25861 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
25862 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
25863 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
25865 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
25866 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25867 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25868 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
25869 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
25871 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
25872 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25873 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25874 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
25875 to mean ``unlimited''.
25877 @findex PARAM_STRING
25878 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
25879 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
25880 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
25881 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
25882 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
25885 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25886 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25887 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25888 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
25889 passed through untranslated.
25891 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25892 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25893 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25894 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
25896 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
25897 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25898 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25899 The value is a filename. This is just like
25900 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
25902 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
25903 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25904 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25905 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
25906 is interpreted as itself.
25909 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25910 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25911 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
25912 constants provided when the parameter is created.
25915 @node Functions In Python
25916 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
25918 @cindex writing convenience functions
25919 @cindex convenience functions in python
25920 @cindex python convenience functions
25921 @tindex gdb.Function
25923 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
25924 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
25925 class @code{gdb.Function}.
25927 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
25928 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
25929 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
25930 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
25931 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
25932 the given @var{name}.
25934 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
25935 string for the new class.
25938 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
25939 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
25940 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
25941 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
25942 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
25943 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
25944 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
25945 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
25947 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
25948 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
25949 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
25952 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
25953 be implemented in Python:
25956 class Greet (gdb.Function):
25957 """Return string to greet someone.
25958 Takes a name as argument."""
25960 def __init__ (self):
25961 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
25963 def invoke (self, name):
25964 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
25969 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25970 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25971 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25972 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25974 Now you can use the function in an expression:
25977 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
25981 @node Progspaces In Python
25982 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
25984 @cindex progspaces in python
25985 @tindex gdb.Progspace
25987 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
25988 of an address space.
25989 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
25990 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25991 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
25992 about program spaces.
25994 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
25997 @findex gdb.current_progspace
25998 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
25999 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
26000 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
26003 @findex gdb.progspaces
26004 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
26005 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
26008 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
26011 @defvar Progspace.filename
26012 The file name of the progspace as a string.
26015 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
26016 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26017 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26018 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26019 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26020 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26024 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
26025 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26026 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26029 @defvar Progspace.frame_filters
26030 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26031 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26034 @node Objfiles In Python
26035 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
26037 @cindex objfiles in python
26038 @tindex gdb.Objfile
26040 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
26041 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
26042 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
26043 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
26044 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
26046 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
26049 @findex gdb.current_objfile
26050 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
26051 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
26052 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
26053 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
26054 this function returns @code{None}.
26057 @findex gdb.objfiles
26058 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
26059 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
26060 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26063 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
26066 @defvar Objfile.filename
26067 The file name of the objfile as a string.
26070 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
26071 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26072 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26073 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26074 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26075 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26079 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
26080 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26081 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26084 @defvar Objfile.frame_filters
26085 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26086 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26089 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
26091 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
26092 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
26093 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
26094 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
26095 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
26096 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26099 @node Frames In Python
26100 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
26102 @cindex frames in python
26103 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
26104 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
26105 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
26106 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
26107 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
26108 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
26110 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
26114 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
26118 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
26120 @findex gdb.selected_frame
26121 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
26122 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
26125 @findex gdb.newest_frame
26126 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
26127 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
26130 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26131 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
26132 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
26133 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
26136 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
26138 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
26139 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
26140 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
26141 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
26142 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26145 @defun Frame.name ()
26146 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
26150 @defun Frame.architecture ()
26151 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
26152 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
26155 @defun Frame.type ()
26156 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
26158 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
26159 An ordinary stack frame.
26161 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
26162 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
26163 inferior function call.
26165 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
26166 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
26167 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
26169 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
26170 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
26172 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
26173 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
26174 it calls into a signal handler.
26176 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
26177 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
26179 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
26180 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
26185 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
26186 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
26187 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
26188 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
26189 function to a string. The value can be one of:
26192 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
26193 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
26195 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
26196 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
26198 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
26199 This frame is the outermost.
26201 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
26202 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
26203 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
26205 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
26206 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
26207 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
26208 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
26210 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
26211 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
26212 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
26213 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
26214 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
26217 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
26218 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
26219 one to unwind further.
26221 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
26222 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
26223 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
26224 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
26225 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
26226 versions. Using it, you could write:
26228 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
26229 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26230 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
26231 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
26238 Returns the frame's resume address.
26241 @defun Frame.block ()
26242 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26245 @defun Frame.function ()
26246 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
26247 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
26250 @defun Frame.older ()
26251 Return the frame that called this frame.
26254 @defun Frame.newer ()
26255 Return the frame called by this frame.
26258 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
26259 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
26260 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
26263 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
26264 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
26265 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
26266 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
26267 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
26268 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
26269 @code{gdb.Block} object.
26272 @defun Frame.select ()
26273 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
26277 @node Blocks In Python
26278 @subsubsection Accessing blocks from Python.
26280 @cindex blocks in python
26283 In @value{GDBN}, symbols are stored in blocks. A block corresponds
26284 roughly to a scope in the source code. Blocks are organized
26285 hierarchically, and are represented individually in Python as a
26286 @code{gdb.Block}. Blocks rely on debugging information being
26289 A frame has a block. Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more
26290 in-depth discussion of frames.
26292 The outermost block is known as the @dfn{global block}. The global
26293 block typically holds public global variables and functions.
26295 The block nested just inside the global block is the @dfn{static
26296 block}. The static block typically holds file-scoped variables and
26299 @value{GDBN} provides a method to get a block's superblock, but there
26300 is currently no way to examine the sub-blocks of a block, or to
26301 iterate over all the blocks in a symbol table (@pxref{Symbol Tables In
26304 Here is a short example that should help explain blocks:
26307 /* This is in the global block. */
26310 /* This is in the static block. */
26311 static int file_scope;
26313 /* 'function' is in the global block, and 'argument' is
26314 in a block nested inside of 'function'. */
26315 int function (int argument)
26317 /* 'local' is in a block inside 'function'. It may or may
26318 not be in the same block as 'argument'. */
26322 /* 'inner' is in a block whose superblock is the one holding
26326 /* If this call is expanded by the compiler, you may see
26327 a nested block here whose function is 'inline_function'
26328 and whose superblock is the one holding 'inner'. */
26329 inline_function ();
26334 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
26335 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
26336 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
26337 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
26338 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
26341 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26344 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
26345 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
26346 Return the innermost @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc}
26347 value. If the block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified,
26348 the function will return @code{None}.
26351 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
26353 @defun Block.is_valid ()
26354 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
26355 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
26356 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
26357 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
26358 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
26359 during iteration over symbols of the block.
26362 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
26364 @defvar Block.start
26365 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26369 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26372 @defvar Block.function
26373 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
26374 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
26375 attribute is not writable.
26377 For ordinary function blocks, the superblock is the static block.
26378 However, you should note that it is possible for a function block to
26379 have a superblock that is not the static block -- for instance this
26380 happens for an inlined function.
26383 @defvar Block.superblock
26384 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
26385 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26388 @defvar Block.global_block
26389 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26393 @defvar Block.static_block
26394 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26398 @defvar Block.is_global
26399 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
26400 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
26404 @defvar Block.is_static
26405 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
26406 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
26409 @node Symbols In Python
26410 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
26412 @cindex symbols in python
26415 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
26416 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
26417 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
26418 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
26420 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26423 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
26424 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
26425 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
26426 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
26429 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
26430 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
26431 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
26432 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
26433 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
26434 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
26435 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
26438 The result is a tuple of two elements.
26439 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26441 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
26442 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
26443 otherwise it is @code{False}.
26444 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
26447 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
26448 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
26449 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
26450 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
26452 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
26453 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
26454 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
26455 module and described later in this chapter.
26457 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26461 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
26463 @defvar Symbol.type
26464 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
26465 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
26466 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26469 @defvar Symbol.symtab
26470 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
26471 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
26472 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26475 @defvar Symbol.line
26476 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
26477 This is an integer.
26480 @defvar Symbol.name
26481 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
26484 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
26485 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
26486 This attribute is not writable.
26489 @defvar Symbol.print_name
26490 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
26491 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
26492 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
26495 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
26496 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
26497 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
26498 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
26501 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
26502 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
26503 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
26504 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
26507 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
26508 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
26511 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
26512 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
26515 @defvar Symbol.is_function
26516 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
26519 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
26520 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
26523 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
26525 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
26526 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
26527 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
26528 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
26529 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
26530 invalid at the time the method is called.
26533 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
26534 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
26535 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
26536 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
26537 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
26538 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
26542 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26543 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26546 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26547 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26548 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26549 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
26550 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
26551 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26552 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26553 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26554 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26555 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
26557 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26558 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26559 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26560 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
26561 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26562 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26563 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26564 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
26565 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26566 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26567 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26568 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
26569 contains everything minus functions and types.
26570 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26571 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26572 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
26573 This domain contains all functions.
26574 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26575 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26576 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26577 This domain contains all types.
26580 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26581 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26584 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26585 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26586 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26587 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
26588 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26589 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26590 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26591 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26592 Value is constant int.
26593 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26594 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26595 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26596 Value is at a fixed address.
26597 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26598 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26599 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26600 Value is in a register.
26601 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26602 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26603 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26604 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
26605 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
26606 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26607 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26608 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26609 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
26610 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
26611 offset, not the value itself.
26612 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26613 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26614 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26615 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
26616 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
26618 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26619 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26620 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26621 Value is a local variable.
26622 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26623 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26624 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26625 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
26627 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26628 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26629 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26631 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26632 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26633 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26634 Value is a byte-sequence.
26635 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26636 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26637 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26638 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
26639 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
26641 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26642 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26643 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26644 The value does not actually exist in the program.
26645 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26646 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26647 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26648 The value's address is a computed location.
26651 @node Symbol Tables In Python
26652 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
26654 @cindex symbol tables in python
26656 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
26658 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
26659 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
26660 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
26661 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
26662 @xref{Frames In Python}.
26664 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
26665 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
26667 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
26669 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
26670 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
26671 This attribute is not writable.
26674 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
26675 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
26676 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
26679 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
26680 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
26681 source line. This attribute is not writable.
26684 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
26685 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
26686 attribute is not writable.
26689 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
26691 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
26692 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
26693 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
26694 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
26695 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
26696 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
26697 invalid at the time the method is called.
26700 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
26702 @defvar Symtab.filename
26703 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
26706 @defvar Symtab.objfile
26707 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26708 This attribute is not writable.
26711 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
26713 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
26714 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
26715 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
26716 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
26717 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
26718 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26721 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
26722 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
26725 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
26726 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
26727 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26730 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
26731 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
26732 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26735 @node Breakpoints In Python
26736 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
26738 @cindex breakpoints in python
26739 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
26741 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
26744 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
26745 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
26746 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
26747 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
26748 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
26749 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
26750 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
26751 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
26752 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
26753 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
26754 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
26755 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
26756 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
26757 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
26758 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
26759 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
26762 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
26763 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
26764 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
26765 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
26766 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
26767 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
26768 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
26769 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
26771 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
26772 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
26773 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
26774 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
26775 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
26776 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
26778 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
26779 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
26780 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
26781 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
26784 Example @code{stop} implementation:
26787 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
26789 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
26796 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
26801 @findex gdb.WP_READ
26803 Read only watchpoint.
26806 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
26808 Write only watchpoint.
26811 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
26812 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
26813 Read/Write watchpoint.
26816 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
26817 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
26818 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
26819 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
26820 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
26821 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
26822 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
26825 @defun Breakpoint.delete
26826 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
26827 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
26828 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
26831 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
26832 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
26833 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26836 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
26837 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
26838 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26840 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
26841 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
26842 @code{silent} attribute.
26845 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
26846 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
26847 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
26848 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26851 @defvar Breakpoint.task
26852 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
26853 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
26854 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
26858 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
26859 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26860 This attribute is writable.
26863 @defvar Breakpoint.number
26864 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
26865 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
26868 @defvar Breakpoint.type
26869 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
26870 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
26874 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
26875 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
26876 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
26877 attribute is not writable.
26880 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
26884 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
26885 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26886 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26887 Normal code breakpoint.
26889 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
26890 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26891 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26892 Watchpoint breakpoint.
26894 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26895 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26896 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26897 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
26899 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26900 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26901 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26902 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
26904 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26905 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26906 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26907 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
26910 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
26911 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26912 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
26915 @defvar Breakpoint.location
26916 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
26917 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
26918 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
26919 attribute is not writable.
26922 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
26923 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
26924 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
26925 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
26926 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26929 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
26930 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
26931 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
26932 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26935 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
26936 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
26937 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
26938 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
26939 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26942 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
26943 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
26945 @cindex python finish breakpoints
26946 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
26948 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
26949 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
26950 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
26951 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
26952 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
26953 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
26956 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
26957 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
26958 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
26959 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
26960 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
26961 details about this argument.
26964 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
26965 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
26966 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
26967 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
26968 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
26970 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
26974 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
26976 print "normal finish"
26979 def out_of_scope ():
26980 print "abnormal finish"
26984 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
26985 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
26986 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
26987 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
26988 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
26989 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
26993 @node Lazy Strings In Python
26994 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
26996 @cindex lazy strings in python
26997 @tindex gdb.LazyString
26999 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
27000 encoded until it is needed.
27002 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
27003 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
27004 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
27005 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
27006 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
27007 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
27008 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
27009 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
27010 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
27012 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
27014 @defun LazyString.value ()
27015 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
27016 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
27017 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
27018 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
27021 @defvar LazyString.address
27022 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
27026 @defvar LazyString.length
27027 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
27028 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
27029 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
27032 @defvar LazyString.encoding
27033 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
27034 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
27035 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
27036 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
27040 @defvar LazyString.type
27041 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
27042 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
27043 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
27044 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
27048 @node Architectures In Python
27049 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
27050 @cindex Python architectures
27052 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
27053 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
27054 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
27056 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
27058 @defun Architecture.name ()
27059 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
27062 @defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
27063 Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
27064 address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
27065 @var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
27066 If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
27067 specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
27068 whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
27069 @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
27070 specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
27071 instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
27072 @var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
27073 instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
27074 interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
27075 @var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
27076 @var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
27077 returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
27082 The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
27083 the memory address of the instruction.
27086 The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
27087 the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
27088 language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
27089 variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
27092 The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
27093 instruction in bytes.
27098 @node Python Auto-loading
27099 @subsection Python Auto-loading
27100 @cindex Python auto-loading
27102 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
27103 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
27104 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
27105 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
27106 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27107 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27109 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
27110 debugging commands and scripts.
27112 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
27113 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
27116 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
27117 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
27118 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
27119 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
27121 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
27122 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
27123 @item show auto-load python-scripts
27124 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
27126 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
27127 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
27128 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
27129 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
27130 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
27132 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
27133 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
27134 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27135 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
27136 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
27137 an error message for each one is problematic.
27139 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
27144 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
27146 Yes py-section-script.py
27147 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
27148 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
27152 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
27153 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
27154 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
27155 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers and frame-filters.
27158 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27159 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27160 * Which flavor to choose?::
27163 @node objfile-gdb.py file
27164 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27165 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
27167 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
27168 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
27169 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
27170 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
27171 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
27172 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
27174 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
27175 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
27177 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27178 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27180 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
27181 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
27182 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
27183 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
27184 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
27185 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
27188 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
27189 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
27190 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
27191 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
27192 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
27193 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
27195 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
27196 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
27198 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
27199 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
27200 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
27201 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
27203 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
27204 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
27205 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
27206 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
27207 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
27208 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
27211 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
27212 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
27213 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
27215 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
27216 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
27217 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
27218 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
27221 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
27222 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
27223 @var{objfile} is opened.
27224 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
27225 is evaluated more than once.
27227 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
27228 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27229 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27231 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
27232 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
27233 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
27234 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
27236 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
27237 current directory and then along the source search path
27238 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
27239 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
27240 directory is not relevant to scripts.
27242 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
27243 for example, this GCC macro:
27246 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
27247 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
27249 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
27251 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
27257 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
27260 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
27263 The script name may include directories if desired.
27265 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27266 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27268 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
27269 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
27271 @node Which flavor to choose?
27272 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
27274 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
27275 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
27277 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
27281 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
27284 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
27286 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
27287 in the source search path.
27288 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
27289 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
27292 Doesn't require source code additions.
27295 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
27299 Works with static linking.
27301 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
27302 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
27303 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
27304 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
27307 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
27309 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
27310 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
27313 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
27315 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
27316 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
27317 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
27318 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
27319 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
27320 top of the source tree to the source search path.
27323 @node Python modules
27324 @subsection Python modules
27325 @cindex python modules
27327 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
27330 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
27331 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
27332 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
27336 @subsubsection gdb.printing
27337 @cindex gdb.printing
27339 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27343 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
27344 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
27345 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
27346 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
27348 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27349 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
27350 corresponding API for the subprinters.
27352 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27353 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
27354 regular expressions.
27355 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
27357 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
27358 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
27359 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
27360 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
27361 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
27362 the @code{enum} type to look up.
27364 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
27365 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
27366 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
27367 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
27368 if a printer with the same name already exists.
27372 @subsubsection gdb.types
27375 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27376 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
27379 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
27380 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
27381 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
27386 typedef const int const_int;
27388 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
27389 int main () @{ return 0; @}
27396 (gdb) python import gdb.types
27397 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
27398 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
27402 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
27403 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
27404 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
27406 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
27407 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
27409 @item deep_items (@var{type})
27410 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
27411 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
27412 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
27413 union fields. For example:
27427 Then in @value{GDBN}:
27429 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
27430 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
27431 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
27433 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
27434 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
27437 @item get_type_recognizers ()
27438 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
27439 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
27440 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
27442 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
27443 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
27444 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
27445 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
27446 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
27449 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
27450 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
27451 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
27452 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
27453 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
27454 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
27455 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
27456 registered globally.
27459 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
27460 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
27461 It defines a constructor:
27463 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
27464 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
27465 starts in the enabled state.
27471 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
27474 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
27477 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
27478 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
27479 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
27480 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
27482 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
27486 Substitute a backslash.
27488 Substitute an ESC character.
27490 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
27492 Substitute a newline.
27494 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
27496 Substitute a carriage return.
27498 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
27500 Substitute the version of GDB.
27502 Substitute the current working directory.
27504 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
27505 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
27506 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
27507 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
27509 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
27515 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
27516 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
27519 @exdent will return the string:
27522 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
27527 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
27528 @cindex aliases for commands
27530 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
27531 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
27532 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
27533 that involves less typing.
27535 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
27536 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
27537 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
27539 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
27540 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
27541 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
27543 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
27548 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
27552 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
27553 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
27556 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
27557 that is being aliased.
27559 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
27560 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
27561 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
27563 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
27564 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
27566 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
27567 of a command so that there is less to type.
27568 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
27569 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
27570 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
27571 The following will accomplish this.
27574 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
27577 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
27578 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
27579 for it with the @samp{document} command.
27580 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
27582 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
27583 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
27584 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
27588 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
27589 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
27590 (gdb) set p elms 20
27592 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
27595 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
27596 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
27597 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
27599 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
27600 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
27603 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
27606 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
27607 alias for a more complex command.
27608 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
27611 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
27616 @chapter Command Interpreters
27617 @cindex command interpreters
27619 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
27620 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
27621 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
27623 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
27624 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
27625 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
27626 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
27628 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
27629 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
27630 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
27631 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
27635 @cindex console interpreter
27636 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
27637 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
27638 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
27641 @cindex mi interpreter
27642 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
27643 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
27644 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
27648 @cindex mi2 interpreter
27649 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
27652 @cindex mi1 interpreter
27653 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
27657 @cindex invoke another interpreter
27658 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
27659 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
27660 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
27661 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
27662 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
27663 the IDE inoperable!
27665 @kindex interpreter-exec
27666 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
27667 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
27668 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
27669 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
27672 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
27675 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
27676 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
27679 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
27681 @cindex Text User Interface
27684 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
27685 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
27686 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
27687 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
27688 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
27691 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
27692 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
27693 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
27694 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
27695 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
27698 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
27699 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
27700 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
27701 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
27702 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
27705 @section TUI Overview
27707 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
27711 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
27712 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
27713 managed using readline.
27716 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
27717 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
27720 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
27723 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
27724 when their values change.
27727 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
27728 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
27729 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
27730 indicates the breakpoint type:
27734 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27737 Breakpoint which was never hit.
27740 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27743 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
27746 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
27750 Breakpoint is enabled.
27753 Breakpoint is disabled.
27756 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
27757 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
27760 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
27761 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
27772 source and assembly,
27775 source and registers, or
27778 assembly and registers.
27781 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
27785 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
27786 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
27789 Gives the current process or thread number.
27790 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
27793 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
27794 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
27795 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
27796 the string @code{??} is displayed.
27799 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
27800 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
27803 Indicates the current program counter address.
27807 @section TUI Key Bindings
27808 @cindex TUI key bindings
27810 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
27811 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
27812 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
27814 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
27815 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
27817 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
27818 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
27827 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27828 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27829 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27830 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27831 The screen is then refreshed.
27835 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27836 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27837 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27839 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27843 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27844 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27845 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27846 previous layout and the new one.
27848 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27852 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27853 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27854 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27856 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27860 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27861 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27864 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27869 Scroll the active window one page up.
27873 Scroll the active window one page down.
27877 Scroll the active window one line up.
27881 Scroll the active window one line down.
27885 Scroll the active window one column left.
27889 Scroll the active window one column right.
27893 Refresh the screen.
27896 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27897 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27898 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27899 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27900 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27902 @node TUI Single Key Mode
27903 @section TUI Single Key Mode
27904 @cindex TUI single key mode
27906 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27907 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27908 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27911 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27915 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27919 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27923 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27927 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27929 exit the SingleKey mode.
27931 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27935 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27939 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27943 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27947 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27952 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27953 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27954 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27955 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27956 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27957 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27961 @section TUI-specific Commands
27962 @cindex TUI commands
27964 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27965 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27966 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27967 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27969 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27970 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27971 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27972 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27973 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27978 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27982 Display the next layout.
27985 Display the previous layout.
27988 Display the source window only.
27991 Display the assembly window only.
27994 Display the source and assembly window.
27997 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
28001 Make the next window active for scrolling.
28004 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
28007 Make the source window active for scrolling.
28010 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
28013 Make the register window active for scrolling.
28016 Make the command window active for scrolling.
28020 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
28022 @item tui reg float
28024 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
28026 @item tui reg general
28027 Show the general registers in the register window.
28030 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
28031 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
28032 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
28033 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
28035 @item tui reg system
28036 Show the system registers in the register window.
28040 Update the source window and the current execution point.
28042 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
28043 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
28045 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
28046 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
28049 @item tabset @var{nchars}
28051 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
28054 @node TUI Configuration
28055 @section TUI Configuration Variables
28056 @cindex TUI configuration variables
28058 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
28061 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
28062 @kindex set tui border-kind
28063 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
28064 The possible values are the following:
28067 Use a space character to draw the border.
28070 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
28073 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
28074 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
28077 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
28078 @kindex set tui border-mode
28079 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
28080 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
28081 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
28082 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
28085 Use normal attributes to display the border.
28091 Use reverse video mode.
28094 Use half bright mode.
28096 @item half-standout
28097 Use half bright and standout mode.
28100 Use extra bright or bold mode.
28102 @item bold-standout
28103 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
28108 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
28111 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
28112 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
28113 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
28116 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
28117 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
28118 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
28119 created Emacs buffer.
28120 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
28122 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
28127 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
28130 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
28131 and output done by the program you are debugging.
28133 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
28134 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
28137 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
28138 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
28139 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
28143 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
28145 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
28146 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
28147 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
28148 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
28151 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
28152 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
28155 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
28156 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
28157 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
28158 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
28160 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
28161 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
28162 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
28163 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
28164 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
28165 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
28166 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
28167 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
28168 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
28170 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
28171 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
28172 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
28173 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
28175 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
28176 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
28177 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
28178 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
28181 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
28182 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
28186 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
28189 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
28190 update the display window to show the current file and location.
28193 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
28194 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
28195 to show the current file and location.
28198 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
28199 display window accordingly.
28202 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
28203 @code{finish} command.
28206 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
28210 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
28211 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
28212 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
28215 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
28216 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
28219 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
28220 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
28222 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
28223 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
28224 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
28225 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
28226 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
28227 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
28228 speedbar displays watch expressions.
28230 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
28231 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
28232 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
28233 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
28236 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
28237 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
28238 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
28239 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
28240 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
28241 to correspond properly with the code.
28243 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
28244 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
28248 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
28250 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
28252 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
28253 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
28254 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
28255 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
28256 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
28257 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
28259 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
28260 in the form of a reference manual.
28262 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
28263 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
28264 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
28266 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
28268 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
28269 This chapter uses the following notation:
28273 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
28276 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
28277 it may or may not be given.
28280 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28281 may repeat zero or more times.
28284 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28285 may repeat one or more times.
28288 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
28292 @heading Dependencies
28296 * GDB/MI General Design::
28297 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
28298 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
28299 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
28300 * GDB/MI Output Records::
28301 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
28302 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
28303 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
28304 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28305 * GDB/MI Program Context::
28306 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
28307 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
28308 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
28309 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
28310 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
28311 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
28312 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
28313 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
28314 * GDB/MI File Commands::
28316 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
28317 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
28318 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
28320 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
28321 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
28322 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
28325 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28326 @node GDB/MI General Design
28327 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
28328 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
28330 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
28331 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
28332 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
28333 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
28334 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
28335 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
28336 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
28337 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
28338 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
28339 a command and reported as part of that command response.
28341 The important examples of notifications are:
28345 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
28346 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
28347 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
28348 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
28349 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
28350 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
28351 command itself was successfully executed.
28354 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
28355 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
28356 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
28357 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
28358 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
28359 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
28362 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
28363 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
28364 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
28365 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
28366 orthogonal frontend design.
28370 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
28371 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
28372 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
28373 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
28374 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
28375 the user interface.
28379 * Context management::
28380 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
28384 @node Context management
28385 @subsection Context management
28387 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
28388 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
28389 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
28390 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
28391 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
28392 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
28393 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
28394 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
28395 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
28397 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
28398 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
28399 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
28400 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
28401 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
28402 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
28403 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
28404 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
28405 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
28406 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
28407 for thread and frame to operate on.
28409 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
28410 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
28411 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
28412 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
28413 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
28414 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
28415 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
28416 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
28417 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
28418 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
28420 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
28421 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
28422 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
28423 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
28424 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
28425 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
28426 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
28427 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
28428 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
28429 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
28430 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
28431 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
28432 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
28433 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
28434 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
28435 @samp{--frame} options.
28437 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
28438 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
28440 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
28441 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
28442 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
28443 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
28444 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
28445 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
28446 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
28447 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
28448 @code{-list-target-features} command.
28450 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
28451 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
28452 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
28453 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
28454 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
28457 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
28458 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
28459 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
28460 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
28461 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
28462 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
28463 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
28464 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
28465 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
28466 @samp{--thread} option).
28468 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
28469 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
28470 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
28471 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
28473 @node Thread groups
28474 @subsection Thread groups
28475 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
28476 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
28477 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
28478 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
28479 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
28481 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
28482 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
28483 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
28484 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
28485 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
28486 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
28487 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
28490 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
28491 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
28492 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
28493 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
28494 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
28495 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
28496 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
28497 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
28498 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
28499 the members of specific thread group.
28501 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
28502 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
28503 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
28504 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
28505 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
28506 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
28507 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
28508 after attaching to that thread group.
28510 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
28511 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
28512 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
28513 such thread groups.
28515 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28516 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
28517 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
28520 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
28521 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
28524 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
28525 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
28527 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
28528 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
28530 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
28531 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
28533 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
28534 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
28535 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
28537 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
28538 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
28539 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
28541 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28542 "any sequence of digits"
28544 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
28545 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
28547 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
28548 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
28550 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
28551 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
28553 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
28554 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
28555 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
28557 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
28558 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
28560 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28569 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
28570 output is described below.
28573 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
28577 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
28578 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
28579 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
28580 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
28581 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
28588 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
28591 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
28594 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
28595 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
28597 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
28598 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
28599 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
28600 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
28601 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
28602 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
28604 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
28605 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
28609 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
28610 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
28612 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
28613 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28615 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
28616 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
28618 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
28619 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
28621 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
28622 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
28624 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
28625 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
28627 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
28628 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
28630 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
28631 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28633 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
28634 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
28636 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
28637 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
28638 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
28640 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
28641 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
28643 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
28644 @code{ @var{string} }
28646 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
28647 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
28649 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
28650 @code{@var{c-string}}
28652 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
28653 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
28655 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
28656 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
28657 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
28659 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
28660 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
28662 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
28663 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
28665 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
28666 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
28668 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
28669 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
28671 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28674 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28675 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
28683 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
28686 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
28687 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
28688 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
28689 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
28690 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
28691 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
28695 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28696 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
28697 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
28698 prefixed by @samp{+}.
28701 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28702 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
28703 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
28707 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28708 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
28709 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
28710 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
28713 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28714 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
28715 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
28716 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
28719 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28720 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
28721 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
28724 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28725 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
28726 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
28727 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
28730 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28731 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
28737 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
28738 details about the various output records.
28740 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28741 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
28742 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
28744 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
28745 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
28747 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
28748 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
28749 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
28750 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
28751 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
28752 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
28754 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
28755 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
28756 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
28758 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28759 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
28760 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
28761 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
28763 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
28764 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
28766 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
28767 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
28768 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
28769 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
28772 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
28773 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
28774 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
28775 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
28779 New MI commands may be added.
28782 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
28785 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
28786 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
28788 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
28789 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
28791 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
28792 @c resolve inconsistencies.
28795 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
28796 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
28797 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
28798 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
28799 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
28801 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
28804 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
28805 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
28806 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
28807 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
28808 @cindex mailing lists
28810 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28811 @node GDB/MI Output Records
28812 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
28815 * GDB/MI Result Records::
28816 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
28817 * GDB/MI Async Records::
28818 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
28819 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
28820 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
28821 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
28824 @node GDB/MI Result Records
28825 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28827 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28828 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28829 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28830 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28834 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28835 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28840 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28841 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28842 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28843 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28844 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28845 which threads are resumed.
28849 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28851 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
28853 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
28858 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
28862 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
28863 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28865 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28866 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28867 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28868 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28869 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28871 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28872 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28873 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28874 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28875 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28878 @item "~" @var{string-output}
28879 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28880 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28882 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
28883 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28884 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28885 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28887 @item "&" @var{string-output}
28888 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28892 @node GDB/MI Async Records
28893 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28895 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28896 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28897 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28898 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28899 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28900 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28902 The following is the list of possible async records:
28906 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28907 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
28908 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
28909 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
28910 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
28911 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
28912 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
28913 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
28914 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
28915 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
28917 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28918 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28922 @item breakpoint-hit
28923 A breakpoint was reached.
28924 @item watchpoint-trigger
28925 A watchpoint was triggered.
28926 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28927 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28928 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28929 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28930 @item function-finished
28931 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28932 @item location-reached
28933 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28934 @item watchpoint-scope
28935 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28936 @item end-stepping-range
28937 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28938 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28939 @item exited-signalled
28940 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28942 The inferior exited.
28943 @item exited-normally
28944 The inferior exited normally.
28945 @item signal-received
28946 A signal was received by the inferior.
28948 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28949 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28950 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28951 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28953 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28954 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28956 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28957 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28958 @item syscall-entry
28959 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28960 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28961 @item syscall-entry
28962 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28963 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28965 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28966 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28969 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
28970 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
28971 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28972 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28973 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28974 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28975 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28976 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28977 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28978 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28979 if such information is not available.
28981 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28982 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
28983 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
28984 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
28985 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
28986 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
28987 cannot be used in any way.
28989 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
28990 A thread group became associated with a running program,
28991 either because the program was just started or the thread group
28992 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
28993 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
28994 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
28996 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
28997 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
28998 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
28999 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
29000 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
29001 only when the inferior exited with some code.
29003 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29004 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29005 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
29006 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
29007 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
29009 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
29010 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
29011 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
29012 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
29013 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
29014 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
29015 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
29017 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
29018 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
29021 @item =library-loaded,...
29022 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
29023 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
29024 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
29025 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
29026 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
29027 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
29028 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
29029 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
29030 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
29031 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
29032 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
29033 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
29036 @item =library-unloaded,...
29037 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
29038 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
29039 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
29040 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
29041 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
29042 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
29045 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
29046 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
29047 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
29048 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
29049 frame is @var{tpnum}.
29051 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
29052 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
29053 initial value @var{initial}.
29055 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
29056 @itemx =tsv-deleted
29057 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
29058 trace state variables are deleted.
29060 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
29061 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
29062 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
29063 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
29064 value of trace state variable is known.
29066 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
29067 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
29068 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
29069 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
29070 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
29073 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
29074 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
29075 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
29077 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
29078 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
29080 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
29081 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
29082 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
29083 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
29084 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
29086 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
29087 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
29088 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
29089 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
29090 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
29091 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
29093 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
29094 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
29095 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
29096 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
29097 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
29101 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
29102 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
29104 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
29105 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
29110 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
29111 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
29115 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
29116 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
29119 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
29120 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
29123 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
29124 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
29125 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
29128 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
29129 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
29130 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
29133 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
29134 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
29135 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
29136 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
29137 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
29140 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
29141 If not known, this field is not present.
29144 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
29145 If not known, this field is not present.
29148 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
29149 known. If not known, this field is not present.
29152 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
29153 If not known, this field is not present.
29156 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
29157 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
29161 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
29162 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
29165 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
29169 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
29170 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
29173 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
29174 field will hold the task identifier.
29177 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
29180 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
29183 The enable count of the breakpoint.
29185 @item traceframe-usage
29188 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
29189 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
29192 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
29195 A tracepoint's pass count.
29197 @item original-location
29198 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
29199 This field is optional.
29202 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
29205 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
29206 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
29210 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
29214 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
29215 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
29218 -> -break-insert main
29219 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29220 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29221 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29226 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
29227 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
29229 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
29230 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
29235 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
29236 zero. This field is always present.
29239 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
29240 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
29243 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
29246 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
29247 address. This field may be absent.
29250 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
29254 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
29255 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
29259 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
29260 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
29262 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
29263 uses a tuple with the following fields:
29267 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
29271 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
29274 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
29275 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
29276 frontend. This field is optional.
29279 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
29280 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
29283 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
29284 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
29287 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
29288 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
29290 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
29291 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
29292 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
29293 the @code{exception-name} field.
29295 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29296 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
29297 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
29298 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
29300 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
29301 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
29302 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
29303 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
29305 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
29306 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
29308 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
29310 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
29311 information of the breakpoint.
29314 -> -break-insert main
29315 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29316 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29317 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29322 @subheading Program Execution
29324 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
29325 reason that execution stopped.
29331 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29332 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
29333 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
29334 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
29339 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29343 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
29345 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
29353 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
29354 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
29355 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
29356 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
29357 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
29358 fails to exit in reasonable time.
29360 @subheading A Bad Command
29362 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
29366 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
29371 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29372 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
29373 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
29375 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
29376 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
29378 @subheading Motivation
29380 The motivation for this collection of commands.
29382 @subheading Introduction
29384 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
29386 @subheading Commands
29388 For each command in the block, the following is described:
29390 @subsubheading Synopsis
29393 -command @var{args}@dots{}
29396 @subsubheading Result
29398 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29400 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
29402 @subsubheading Example
29404 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
29405 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
29408 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29409 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
29410 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
29412 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
29413 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
29414 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29417 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
29418 @findex -break-after
29420 @subsubheading Synopsis
29423 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
29426 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
29427 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
29428 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
29429 @samp{-break-list} command below.
29431 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29433 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
29435 @subsubheading Example
29440 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29441 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29442 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29450 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29451 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29452 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29453 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29454 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29455 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29456 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29457 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29458 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29459 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29464 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
29465 @findex -break-catch
29468 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
29469 @findex -break-commands
29471 @subsubheading Synopsis
29474 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
29477 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
29478 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
29479 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
29480 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
29481 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
29482 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
29484 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29486 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
29488 @subsubheading Example
29493 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29494 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29495 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29498 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
29503 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
29504 @findex -break-condition
29506 @subsubheading Synopsis
29509 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
29512 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
29513 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
29514 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
29517 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29519 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
29521 @subsubheading Example
29525 -break-condition 1 1
29529 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29530 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29531 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29532 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29533 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29534 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29535 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29536 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29537 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29538 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29542 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
29543 @findex -break-delete
29545 @subsubheading Synopsis
29548 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29551 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
29552 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
29554 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29556 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
29558 @subsubheading Example
29566 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29567 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29568 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29569 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29570 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29571 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29572 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29577 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
29578 @findex -break-disable
29580 @subsubheading Synopsis
29583 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29586 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
29587 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
29589 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29591 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
29593 @subsubheading Example
29601 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29602 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29603 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29604 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29605 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29606 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29607 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29608 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29609 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29610 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29614 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
29615 @findex -break-enable
29617 @subsubheading Synopsis
29620 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29623 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
29625 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29627 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
29629 @subsubheading Example
29637 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29638 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29639 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29640 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29641 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29642 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29643 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29644 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29645 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29646 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29650 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
29651 @findex -break-info
29653 @subsubheading Synopsis
29656 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
29660 Get information about a single breakpoint.
29662 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
29663 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
29666 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29668 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
29670 @subsubheading Example
29673 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
29674 @findex -break-insert
29676 @subsubheading Synopsis
29679 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
29680 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29681 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
29685 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29692 @item filename:linenum
29693 @item filename:function
29697 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29701 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29703 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
29705 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
29706 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29707 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29708 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29711 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29713 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
29714 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
29715 @item -c @var{condition}
29716 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29717 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29718 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
29719 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29720 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
29723 @subsubheading Result
29725 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29726 resulting breakpoint.
29728 Note: this format is open to change.
29729 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29731 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29733 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
29734 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
29736 @subsubheading Example
29741 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
29742 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29745 -break-insert -t foo
29746 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
29747 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29751 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29752 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29753 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29754 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29755 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29756 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29757 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29758 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29759 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
29760 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29762 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29763 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
29764 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29767 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
29768 @c ~int foo(int, int);
29769 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
29770 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29775 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
29776 @findex -break-list
29778 @subsubheading Synopsis
29784 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
29788 number of the breakpoint
29790 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
29792 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
29795 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
29797 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
29799 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
29801 @item Thread-groups
29802 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
29804 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
29807 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
29808 @code{body} field is an empty list.
29810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
29814 @subsubheading Example
29819 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29820 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29821 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29822 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29823 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29824 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29825 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29826 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29827 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29829 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29830 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29831 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29835 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29840 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29841 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29842 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29843 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29844 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29845 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29846 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29851 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29852 @findex -break-passcount
29854 @subsubheading Synopsis
29857 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29860 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
29861 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
29862 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
29863 command @samp{passcount}.
29865 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
29866 @findex -break-watch
29868 @subsubheading Synopsis
29871 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
29874 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
29875 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
29876 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
29877 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
29878 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
29879 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
29880 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
29881 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
29883 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
29884 breakpoints inserted.
29886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29888 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
29891 @subsubheading Example
29893 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
29898 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
29903 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
29904 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
29905 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29906 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
29910 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
29911 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
29912 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
29917 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
29922 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
29923 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29924 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29925 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29926 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29931 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
29932 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29933 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29934 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29935 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29939 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
29940 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
29946 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
29949 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29950 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29951 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29952 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29953 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29954 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29955 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29956 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29957 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29958 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29959 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29961 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29962 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29967 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
29968 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29969 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29970 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29971 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29974 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29975 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29976 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29977 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29978 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29979 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29980 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29981 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29982 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29983 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29984 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29986 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29987 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
29991 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
29992 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29993 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29994 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29995 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29998 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29999 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30000 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30001 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30002 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30003 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30004 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30005 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30006 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30007 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30008 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30009 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
30014 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30015 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30016 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
30018 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
30021 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
30022 @findex -catch-load
30024 @subsubheading Synopsis
30027 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30030 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
30031 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30032 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
30033 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30034 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
30037 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30039 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
30041 @subsubheading Example
30044 -catch-load -t foo.so
30045 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
30046 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
30051 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
30052 @findex -catch-unload
30054 @subsubheading Synopsis
30057 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30060 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
30061 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30062 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
30063 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30064 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
30066 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30068 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
30070 @subsubheading Example
30073 -catch-unload -d bar.so
30074 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
30075 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
30080 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30081 @node GDB/MI Program Context
30082 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
30084 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
30085 @findex -exec-arguments
30088 @subsubheading Synopsis
30091 -exec-arguments @var{args}
30094 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
30097 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30099 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
30101 @subsubheading Example
30105 -exec-arguments -v word
30112 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
30113 @findex -exec-show-arguments
30115 @subsubheading Synopsis
30118 -exec-show-arguments
30121 Print the arguments of the program.
30123 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30125 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
30127 @subsubheading Example
30132 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
30133 @findex -environment-cd
30135 @subsubheading Synopsis
30138 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
30141 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
30143 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30145 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
30147 @subsubheading Example
30151 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30157 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
30158 @findex -environment-directory
30160 @subsubheading Synopsis
30163 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30166 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
30167 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
30168 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
30169 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30171 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30172 multiple directories in a single command
30173 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30174 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30175 If blanks are needed as
30176 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30177 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30178 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30179 character must not be used
30180 in any directory name.
30181 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
30183 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30185 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
30187 @subsubheading Example
30191 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30192 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30194 -environment-directory ""
30195 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30197 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
30198 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
30200 -environment-directory -r
30201 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
30206 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
30207 @findex -environment-path
30209 @subsubheading Synopsis
30212 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30215 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
30216 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
30217 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
30218 supplied in addition to the
30219 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30221 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30222 multiple directories in a single command
30223 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30224 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30225 If blanks are needed as
30226 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30227 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30228 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30229 character must not be used
30230 in any directory name.
30231 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
30234 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30236 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
30238 @subsubheading Example
30243 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
30245 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
30246 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
30248 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
30249 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
30254 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
30255 @findex -environment-pwd
30257 @subsubheading Synopsis
30263 Show the current working directory.
30265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30267 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
30269 @subsubheading Example
30274 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
30278 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30279 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
30280 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
30283 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
30284 @findex -thread-info
30286 @subsubheading Synopsis
30289 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
30292 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
30293 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
30294 threads. When printing information about all threads,
30295 also reports the current thread.
30297 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30299 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
30302 @subsubheading Result
30304 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
30305 defined for a given thread:
30309 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30312 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
30315 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
30318 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
30322 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
30323 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
30324 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
30325 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
30329 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
30332 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
30337 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
30341 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
30347 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
30348 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
30352 @subsubheading Example
30357 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30358 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
30359 args=[]@},state="running"@},
30360 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30361 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
30362 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30363 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
30364 state="running"@}],
30365 current-thread-id="1"
30369 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
30370 @findex -thread-list-ids
30372 @subsubheading Synopsis
30378 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
30379 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
30381 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
30382 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
30384 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30386 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
30388 @subsubheading Example
30393 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30394 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
30399 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
30400 @findex -thread-select
30402 @subsubheading Synopsis
30405 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
30408 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
30409 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
30411 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
30412 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
30414 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30416 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
30418 @subsubheading Example
30425 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
30426 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
30430 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30431 number-of-threads="3"
30434 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
30435 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
30436 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
30437 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
30441 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30442 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
30443 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
30445 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
30446 @findex -ada-task-info
30448 @subsubheading Synopsis
30451 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
30454 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
30455 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
30457 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30459 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
30460 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
30462 @subsubheading Result
30464 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
30465 defined for each Ada task:
30469 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30472 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
30475 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
30478 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
30480 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
30481 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
30482 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
30485 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
30486 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
30489 The base priority of the task.
30492 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
30493 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
30496 The name of the task.
30500 @subsubheading Example
30504 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
30505 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
30506 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
30507 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
30508 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
30509 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
30510 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
30511 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
30512 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
30513 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
30514 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
30518 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30519 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
30520 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
30522 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
30523 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
30524 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
30527 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
30528 @findex -exec-continue
30530 @subsubheading Synopsis
30533 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
30536 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
30537 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
30538 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
30539 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
30542 breakpoints or watchpoints
30544 signals or exceptions
30546 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
30548 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
30550 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
30551 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
30552 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
30553 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
30554 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
30555 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
30557 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30559 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
30561 @subsubheading Example
30568 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
30569 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
30575 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
30576 @findex -exec-finish
30578 @subsubheading Synopsis
30581 -exec-finish [--reverse]
30584 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
30585 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
30586 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
30587 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
30588 function was called.
30590 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30592 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
30594 @subsubheading Example
30596 Function returning @code{void}.
30603 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30604 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
30608 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
30609 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
30616 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
30617 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
30618 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30619 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
30624 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
30625 @findex -exec-interrupt
30627 @subsubheading Synopsis
30630 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
30633 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
30634 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
30635 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
30636 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
30637 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
30639 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
30640 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
30641 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
30642 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
30644 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
30645 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
30646 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
30647 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
30649 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30651 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
30653 @subsubheading Example
30664 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
30665 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30666 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
30671 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
30675 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
30678 @subsubheading Synopsis
30681 -exec-jump @var{location}
30684 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
30685 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
30686 different forms of @var{location}.
30688 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30690 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
30692 @subsubheading Example
30695 -exec-jump foo.c:10
30696 *running,thread-id="all"
30701 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
30704 @subsubheading Synopsis
30707 -exec-next [--reverse]
30710 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30711 of the next source line is reached.
30713 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30714 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
30715 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
30716 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
30717 source line where the function was called.
30720 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30722 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
30724 @subsubheading Example
30730 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
30735 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
30736 @findex -exec-next-instruction
30738 @subsubheading Synopsis
30741 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
30744 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
30745 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
30746 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
30749 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30750 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
30751 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
30752 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
30753 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
30755 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30757 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
30759 @subsubheading Example
30763 -exec-next-instruction
30767 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30768 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
30773 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
30774 @findex -exec-return
30776 @subsubheading Synopsis
30782 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
30783 Displays the new current frame.
30785 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30787 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
30789 @subsubheading Example
30793 200-break-insert callee4
30794 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
30795 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30800 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30801 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30802 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30803 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30809 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
30810 args=[@{name="strarg",
30811 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30812 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30813 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30818 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
30821 @subsubheading Synopsis
30824 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
30827 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
30828 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
30829 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
30830 the program has exited exceptionally.
30832 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
30833 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
30834 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
30835 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
30837 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30839 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
30841 @subsubheading Examples
30846 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30851 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30852 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30853 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30858 Program exited normally:
30866 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
30871 Program exited exceptionally:
30879 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
30883 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
30884 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
30888 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
30889 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
30893 @c @subheading -exec-signal
30896 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
30899 @subsubheading Synopsis
30902 -exec-step [--reverse]
30905 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30906 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
30907 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
30908 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
30909 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
30910 previously executed source line.
30912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
30916 @subsubheading Example
30918 Stepping into a function:
30924 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30925 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
30926 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
30927 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
30937 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
30942 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
30943 @findex -exec-step-instruction
30945 @subsubheading Synopsis
30948 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
30951 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
30952 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
30953 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
30954 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
30955 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
30956 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
30959 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30961 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
30963 @subsubheading Example
30967 -exec-step-instruction
30971 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30972 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30973 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30975 -exec-step-instruction
30979 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30980 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30981 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30986 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
30987 @findex -exec-until
30989 @subsubheading Synopsis
30992 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
30995 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
30996 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
30997 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
30998 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
31000 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31002 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
31004 @subsubheading Example
31008 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
31012 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
31013 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
31018 @subheading -file-clear
31019 Is this going away????
31022 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31023 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
31024 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
31026 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
31027 @findex -enable-frame-filters
31030 -enable-frame-filters
31033 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
31034 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
31035 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31036 request that this functionality be enabled.
31038 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31040 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31041 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31043 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
31044 @findex -stack-info-frame
31046 @subsubheading Synopsis
31052 Get info on the selected frame.
31054 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31056 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
31057 (without arguments).
31059 @subsubheading Example
31064 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31065 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31066 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
31070 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
31071 @findex -stack-info-depth
31073 @subsubheading Synopsis
31076 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
31079 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
31080 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
31082 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31084 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31086 @subsubheading Example
31088 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
31095 -stack-info-depth 4
31098 -stack-info-depth 12
31101 -stack-info-depth 11
31104 -stack-info-depth 13
31109 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
31110 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
31111 @findex -stack-list-arguments
31113 @subsubheading Synopsis
31116 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31117 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31120 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
31121 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
31122 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
31123 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
31124 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
31125 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
31126 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
31127 which case only existing frames will be returned.
31129 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31130 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31131 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31132 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31133 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31134 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31137 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
31138 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31140 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31142 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
31143 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
31144 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
31146 @subsubheading Example
31153 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
31154 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31155 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
31156 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31157 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31158 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
31159 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
31160 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31161 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
31162 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
31163 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31164 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
31165 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
31166 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31167 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
31169 -stack-list-arguments 0
31172 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31173 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
31174 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
31175 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
31176 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31178 -stack-list-arguments 1
31181 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31183 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31184 frame=@{level="2",args=[
31185 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31186 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31187 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
31188 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31189 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
31190 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
31191 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31193 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
31194 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
31196 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
31197 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
31198 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31199 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
31203 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
31206 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
31207 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
31208 @findex -stack-list-frames
31210 @subsubheading Synopsis
31213 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31216 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
31221 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
31223 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
31227 File name of the source file where the function lives.
31228 @item @var{fullname}
31229 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
31231 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
31233 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
31234 if the frame's function is not known.
31237 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
31238 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
31239 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
31240 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
31241 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
31242 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
31243 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
31244 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31245 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31247 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31249 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
31251 @subsubheading Example
31253 Full stack backtrace:
31259 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
31260 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
31261 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31262 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31263 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31264 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31265 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31266 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31267 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31268 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31269 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31270 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31271 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31272 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31273 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31274 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31275 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31276 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31277 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31278 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31279 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31280 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31281 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
31282 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
31286 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
31290 -stack-list-frames 3 5
31292 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31293 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31294 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31295 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31296 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31297 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31301 Show a single frame:
31305 -stack-list-frames 3 3
31307 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31308 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31313 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
31314 @findex -stack-list-locals
31315 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
31317 @subsubheading Synopsis
31320 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31323 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
31324 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31325 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31326 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31327 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31328 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
31329 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
31330 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
31331 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31332 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31334 This command is deprecated in favor of the
31335 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31337 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31339 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
31341 @subsubheading Example
31345 -stack-list-locals 0
31346 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
31348 -stack-list-locals --all-values
31349 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
31350 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
31351 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
31352 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
31353 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
31357 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
31358 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
31359 @findex -stack-list-variables
31361 @subsubheading Synopsis
31364 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31367 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
31368 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31369 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31370 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31371 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31372 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31373 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31375 @subsubheading Example
31379 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
31380 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
31385 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
31386 @findex -stack-select-frame
31388 @subsubheading Synopsis
31391 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
31394 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
31397 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
31398 option to every command.
31400 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31402 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
31403 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
31405 @subsubheading Example
31409 -stack-select-frame 2
31414 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31415 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
31416 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
31420 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31422 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
31423 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
31424 used by @code{Insight}.
31426 The two main reasons for that are:
31430 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
31433 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
31437 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
31438 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
31439 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
31440 hints about their use.
31442 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
31443 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
31444 least, the following operations:
31447 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
31448 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
31449 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
31450 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
31455 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
31457 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31459 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
31460 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
31461 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
31462 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
31463 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
31464 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
31465 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
31466 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
31467 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
31468 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
31469 object, or to change display format.
31471 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
31472 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
31473 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
31474 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
31475 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
31476 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
31477 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
31478 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
31479 child will be created.
31481 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
31482 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
31483 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
31484 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
31485 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
31487 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
31488 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
31489 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
31490 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
31491 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
31492 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
31493 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
31494 variables that frontend has created.
31496 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
31497 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
31498 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
31499 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
31500 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
31501 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
31502 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
31503 implicitly updated.
31505 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
31506 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
31507 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
31508 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
31509 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
31510 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
31511 frame. Consider this example:
31516 struct work_state state;
31523 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
31524 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
31525 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
31526 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
31527 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
31529 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
31530 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
31531 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
31532 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
31533 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
31534 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
31536 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
31537 access this functionality:
31539 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
31540 @item @strong{Operation}
31541 @tab @strong{Description}
31543 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
31544 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
31545 @item @code{-var-create}
31546 @tab create a variable object
31547 @item @code{-var-delete}
31548 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
31549 @item @code{-var-set-format}
31550 @tab set the display format of this variable
31551 @item @code{-var-show-format}
31552 @tab show the display format of this variable
31553 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
31554 @tab tells how many children this object has
31555 @item @code{-var-list-children}
31556 @tab return a list of the object's children
31557 @item @code{-var-info-type}
31558 @tab show the type of this variable object
31559 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
31560 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
31561 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
31562 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
31563 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
31564 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
31565 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
31566 @tab get the value of this variable
31567 @item @code{-var-assign}
31568 @tab set the value of this variable
31569 @item @code{-var-update}
31570 @tab update the variable and its children
31571 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
31572 @tab set frozeness attribute
31573 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
31574 @tab set range of children to display on update
31577 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
31578 how it can be used.
31580 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
31582 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
31583 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
31586 -enable-pretty-printing
31589 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
31590 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
31591 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31592 request that this functionality be enabled.
31594 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31596 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31597 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31599 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
31600 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
31602 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
31603 @findex -var-create
31605 @subsubheading Synopsis
31608 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
31609 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
31612 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
31613 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
31616 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
31617 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
31618 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
31619 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
31620 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
31622 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
31623 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
31624 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
31625 object must be created.
31627 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
31628 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
31632 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
31635 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
31638 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
31641 @cindex dynamic varobj
31642 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
31643 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
31644 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
31645 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
31646 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
31647 compatibility for existing clients.
31649 @subsubheading Result
31651 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
31656 The name of the varobj.
31659 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
31660 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
31661 @samp{has_more} attribute.
31664 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
31665 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
31666 will not be interesting.
31669 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
31670 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
31671 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31672 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31673 @emph{declared} one.
31676 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
31677 thread's identifier.
31680 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
31681 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
31684 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31685 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31686 then this attribute will not be present.
31689 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31690 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31691 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31694 Typical output will look like this:
31697 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
31698 has_more="@var{has_more}"
31702 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
31703 @findex -var-delete
31705 @subsubheading Synopsis
31708 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
31711 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
31712 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
31714 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
31717 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
31718 @findex -var-set-format
31720 @subsubheading Synopsis
31723 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
31726 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
31729 @anchor{-var-set-format}
31730 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
31733 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
31734 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
31737 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
31738 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
31739 for pointers, etc.).
31741 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
31742 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
31744 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
31745 @findex -var-show-format
31747 @subsubheading Synopsis
31750 -var-show-format @var{name}
31753 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
31756 @var{format} @expansion{}
31761 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
31762 @findex -var-info-num-children
31764 @subsubheading Synopsis
31767 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
31770 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
31776 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
31777 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
31781 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
31782 @findex -var-list-children
31784 @subsubheading Synopsis
31787 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
31789 @anchor{-var-list-children}
31791 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
31792 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
31793 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
31794 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
31795 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
31796 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
31797 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
31800 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
31801 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
31802 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
31803 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
31806 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
31807 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
31808 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
31809 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
31810 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
31811 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
31812 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
31813 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
31816 For each child the following results are returned:
31821 Name of the variable object created for this child.
31824 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
31825 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
31827 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
31828 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
31830 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
31831 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
31832 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
31833 type and value are not present.
31835 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
31836 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
31837 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
31840 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
31844 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
31845 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31846 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31847 @emph{declared} one.
31850 If values were requested, this is the value.
31853 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
31854 Otherwise this result is not present.
31857 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
31860 The result may have its own attributes:
31864 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31865 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31866 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31869 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
31870 remaining after the end of the selected range.
31873 @subsubheading Example
31877 -var-list-children n
31878 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31879 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31881 -var-list-children --all-values n
31882 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31883 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31887 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
31888 @findex -var-info-type
31890 @subsubheading Synopsis
31893 -var-info-type @var{name}
31896 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
31897 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
31901 type=@var{typename}
31905 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
31906 @findex -var-info-expression
31908 @subsubheading Synopsis
31911 -var-info-expression @var{name}
31914 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
31915 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
31916 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
31918 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
31919 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
31922 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
31923 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
31927 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
31929 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
31930 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
31933 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
31934 @findex -var-info-path-expression
31936 @subsubheading Synopsis
31939 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
31942 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
31943 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
31944 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
31945 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
31946 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
31947 watchpoint from a variable object.
31949 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
31950 and will give an error when invoked on one.
31952 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
31953 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
31954 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
31955 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
31956 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
31958 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
31959 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
31962 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
31963 @findex -var-show-attributes
31965 @subsubheading Synopsis
31968 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
31971 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
31974 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
31978 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
31980 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
31981 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
31983 @subsubheading Synopsis
31986 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
31989 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
31990 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
31991 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
31992 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
31993 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
31994 the current display format will be used. The current display format
31995 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
32001 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
32002 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
32004 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
32005 @findex -var-assign
32007 @subsubheading Synopsis
32010 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
32013 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
32014 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
32015 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
32016 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
32018 @subsubheading Example
32026 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
32030 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
32031 @findex -var-update
32033 @subsubheading Synopsis
32036 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
32039 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
32040 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
32041 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
32042 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
32043 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
32044 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
32045 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
32046 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
32047 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
32048 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
32049 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
32050 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
32051 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
32053 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
32054 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
32057 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
32058 only the selected range of children will be reported.
32060 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
32063 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
32067 The name of the varobj.
32070 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
32071 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
32074 @anchor{-var-update}
32075 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
32079 The variable object's current value is valid.
32082 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
32083 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
32087 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
32088 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
32089 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
32090 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
32094 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
32095 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
32098 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
32099 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
32102 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
32103 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
32104 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
32105 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
32109 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
32112 @item new_num_children
32113 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
32114 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
32116 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
32117 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
32118 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
32119 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
32120 children which may be available.
32122 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
32123 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
32124 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
32125 only happen at the end of the update range).
32128 The display hint, if any.
32131 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
32132 available outside the varobj's update range.
32135 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32136 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32137 then this attribute will not be present.
32140 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
32141 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
32142 be listed in this attribute.
32145 @subsubheading Example
32152 -var-update --all-values var1
32153 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
32154 type_changed="false"@}]
32158 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
32159 @findex -var-set-frozen
32160 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
32162 @subsubheading Synopsis
32165 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
32168 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
32169 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
32170 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
32171 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
32172 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
32173 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
32174 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
32175 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
32176 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
32177 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
32178 @code{-var-update} does.
32180 @subsubheading Example
32184 -var-set-frozen V 1
32189 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
32190 @findex -var-set-update-range
32191 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
32193 @subsubheading Synopsis
32196 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
32199 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
32200 @code{-var-update}.
32202 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
32203 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
32204 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
32205 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
32207 @subsubheading Example
32211 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
32215 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
32216 @findex -var-set-visualizer
32217 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
32219 @subsubheading Synopsis
32222 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
32225 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
32227 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
32228 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
32230 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
32231 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
32232 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
32233 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
32234 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
32235 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
32236 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
32238 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
32239 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
32240 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
32241 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
32243 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
32244 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
32245 can be used to check this.
32247 @subsubheading Example
32249 Resetting the visualizer:
32253 -var-set-visualizer V None
32257 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
32261 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
32265 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
32266 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
32270 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
32274 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32275 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
32276 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
32278 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
32279 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
32280 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
32281 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
32283 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
32284 @c @subheading -data-assign
32285 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
32286 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
32288 @c @subsubheading Example
32291 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
32292 @findex -data-disassemble
32294 @subsubheading Synopsis
32298 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
32299 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
32307 @item @var{start-addr}
32308 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
32309 @item @var{end-addr}
32311 @item @var{filename}
32312 is the name of the file to disassemble
32313 @item @var{linenum}
32314 is the line number to disassemble around
32316 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
32317 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
32318 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
32319 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
32320 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
32321 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
32322 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
32325 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
32326 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
32327 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
32330 @subsubheading Result
32332 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
32333 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
32334 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
32336 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
32341 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
32344 The name of the function this instruction is within.
32347 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
32350 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
32353 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
32354 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
32358 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
32359 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
32363 The line number within @samp{file}.
32366 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
32367 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
32371 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
32372 using the source file search path
32373 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
32374 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
32376 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
32377 present in the debug information.
32379 @item line_asm_insn
32380 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
32381 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
32382 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
32383 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
32388 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
32389 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
32392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32394 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
32396 @subsubheading Example
32398 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
32402 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
32405 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32406 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32407 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32408 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32409 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
32410 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
32411 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
32412 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32413 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
32414 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
32418 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
32422 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
32424 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32425 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32426 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32427 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32428 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32429 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32431 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
32432 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
32436 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
32440 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
32442 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32443 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32444 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32445 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32446 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32447 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
32451 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
32455 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
32457 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
32458 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32459 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32460 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
32461 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
32462 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
32463 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32464 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32465 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
32466 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32467 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32468 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
32473 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
32474 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
32476 @subsubheading Synopsis
32479 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
32482 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
32483 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
32484 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
32486 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32488 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
32489 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
32490 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
32492 @subsubheading Example
32494 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
32495 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
32496 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
32500 211-data-evaluate-expression A
32503 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
32504 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
32506 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
32509 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
32515 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
32516 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
32518 @subsubheading Synopsis
32521 -data-list-changed-registers
32524 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
32526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32528 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
32529 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
32531 @subsubheading Example
32533 On a PPC MBX board:
32541 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
32542 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
32545 -data-list-changed-registers
32546 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
32547 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
32548 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
32553 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
32554 @findex -data-list-register-names
32556 @subsubheading Synopsis
32559 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
32562 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
32563 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
32564 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
32565 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
32566 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
32567 include empty register names.
32569 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32571 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
32572 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
32573 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
32575 @subsubheading Example
32577 For the PPC MBX board:
32580 -data-list-register-names
32581 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
32582 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
32583 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
32584 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
32585 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
32586 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
32587 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
32589 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
32590 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
32594 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
32595 @findex -data-list-register-values
32597 @subsubheading Synopsis
32600 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
32603 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
32604 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
32605 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
32606 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
32608 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
32625 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32627 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
32628 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
32630 @subsubheading Example
32632 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
32633 don't appear in the actual output):
32637 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
32638 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32639 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
32641 -data-list-register-values x
32642 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
32643 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32644 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
32645 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
32646 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
32647 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
32648 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
32649 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
32650 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
32651 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32652 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
32653 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
32654 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
32655 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
32656 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
32657 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
32658 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
32659 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
32660 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
32661 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
32662 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
32663 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
32664 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
32665 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
32666 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
32667 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
32668 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
32669 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
32670 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
32671 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
32672 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
32673 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
32674 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32675 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
32676 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
32677 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
32682 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
32683 @findex -data-read-memory
32685 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
32687 @subsubheading Synopsis
32690 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32691 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
32692 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
32699 @item @var{address}
32700 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32701 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32702 quoted using the C convention.
32704 @item @var{word-format}
32705 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
32706 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
32709 @item @var{word-size}
32710 The size of each memory word in bytes.
32712 @item @var{nr-rows}
32713 The number of rows in the output table.
32715 @item @var{nr-cols}
32716 The number of columns in the output table.
32719 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
32720 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
32721 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
32722 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
32724 @item @var{byte-offset}
32725 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
32728 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
32729 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
32730 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
32731 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
32732 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
32733 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
32734 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
32737 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
32738 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
32741 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32743 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
32744 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
32746 @subsubheading Example
32748 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
32749 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
32750 word. Display each word in hex.
32754 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
32755 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
32756 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
32757 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
32758 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
32759 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
32760 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
32764 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
32765 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
32769 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
32770 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
32771 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
32772 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
32773 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
32777 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
32778 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
32779 used as the non-printable character.
32783 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
32784 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
32785 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
32786 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
32787 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32788 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32789 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32790 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32791 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
32792 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
32793 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
32794 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
32798 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
32799 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
32801 @subsubheading Synopsis
32804 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32805 @var{address} @var{count}
32812 @item @var{address}
32813 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32814 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32815 quoted using the C convention.
32818 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
32820 @item @var{byte-offset}
32821 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
32822 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
32823 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
32824 perform address arithmetics itself.
32828 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
32829 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
32830 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
32831 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
32832 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
32833 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
32835 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
32836 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
32837 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
32838 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
32839 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
32840 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
32841 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
32842 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
32844 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
32845 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
32846 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
32847 and has the following fields:
32851 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32854 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32857 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
32858 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
32861 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
32867 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32869 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
32871 @subsubheading Example
32875 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
32876 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
32878 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
32883 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
32884 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
32886 @subsubheading Synopsis
32889 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
32890 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
32897 @item @var{address}
32898 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32899 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32900 quoted using the C convention.
32902 @item @var{contents}
32903 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
32906 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
32907 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
32908 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
32912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32914 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32916 @subsubheading Example
32920 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
32927 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
32932 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32933 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
32934 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
32936 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
32937 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
32939 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
32940 @findex -trace-find
32942 @subsubheading Synopsis
32945 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
32948 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
32949 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
32950 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
32955 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
32958 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
32961 @item tracepoint-number
32962 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
32963 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
32966 An address is required as parameter. Finds
32967 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
32970 @item pc-inside-range
32971 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
32972 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
32973 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32975 @item pc-outside-range
32976 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
32977 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
32978 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32981 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
32982 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
32983 the specified location.
32987 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
32988 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
32992 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
32993 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
32996 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
32997 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33000 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
33001 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33004 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
33005 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
33006 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
33010 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33012 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
33014 @subheading -trace-define-variable
33015 @findex -trace-define-variable
33017 @subsubheading Synopsis
33020 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
33023 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
33024 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
33025 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
33026 with the @samp{$} character.
33028 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33030 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
33032 @subheading -trace-list-variables
33033 @findex -trace-list-variables
33035 @subsubheading Synopsis
33038 -trace-list-variables
33041 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
33042 table has the following fields:
33046 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
33049 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
33050 field is always present.
33053 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
33054 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
33055 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
33060 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33062 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
33064 @subsubheading Example
33068 -trace-list-variables
33069 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
33070 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33071 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
33072 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
33073 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
33074 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
33078 @subheading -trace-save
33079 @findex -trace-save
33081 @subsubheading Synopsis
33084 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
33087 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
33088 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
33089 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
33090 to perform the save.
33092 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33094 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
33097 @subheading -trace-start
33098 @findex -trace-start
33100 @subsubheading Synopsis
33106 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
33109 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33111 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
33113 @subheading -trace-status
33114 @findex -trace-status
33116 @subsubheading Synopsis
33122 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
33123 the following fields:
33128 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
33129 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
33130 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
33131 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
33132 started. This field is always present.
33135 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
33136 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
33137 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33140 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
33141 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
33142 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
33143 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
33144 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
33145 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
33146 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
33147 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
33148 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33150 @item stopping-tracepoint
33151 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
33152 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
33156 @itemx frames-created
33157 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
33158 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
33159 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
33160 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
33164 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
33165 remaining space. These fields are optional.
33168 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33169 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33170 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33174 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33175 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33176 that the trace run will stop.
33179 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
33180 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
33184 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33186 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
33188 @subheading -trace-stop
33189 @findex -trace-stop
33191 @subsubheading Synopsis
33197 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
33198 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
33199 @samp{running} fields are not output.
33201 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33203 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
33206 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33207 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
33208 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
33212 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
33213 @findex -symbol-info-address
33215 @subsubheading Synopsis
33218 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
33221 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
33223 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33225 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
33227 @subsubheading Example
33231 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
33232 @findex -symbol-info-file
33234 @subsubheading Synopsis
33240 Show the file for the symbol.
33242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33244 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
33245 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
33247 @subsubheading Example
33251 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
33252 @findex -symbol-info-function
33254 @subsubheading Synopsis
33257 -symbol-info-function
33260 Show which function the symbol lives in.
33262 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33264 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
33266 @subsubheading Example
33270 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
33271 @findex -symbol-info-line
33273 @subsubheading Synopsis
33279 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
33281 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33283 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
33284 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
33286 @subsubheading Example
33290 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
33291 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
33293 @subsubheading Synopsis
33296 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
33299 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
33301 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33303 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
33305 @subsubheading Example
33309 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
33310 @findex -symbol-list-functions
33312 @subsubheading Synopsis
33315 -symbol-list-functions
33318 List the functions in the executable.
33320 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33322 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
33323 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33325 @subsubheading Example
33330 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
33331 @findex -symbol-list-lines
33333 @subsubheading Synopsis
33336 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
33339 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
33340 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
33341 ascending PC order.
33343 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33345 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33347 @subsubheading Example
33350 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
33351 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
33357 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
33358 @findex -symbol-list-types
33360 @subsubheading Synopsis
33366 List all the type names.
33368 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33370 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
33371 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33373 @subsubheading Example
33377 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
33378 @findex -symbol-list-variables
33380 @subsubheading Synopsis
33383 -symbol-list-variables
33386 List all the global and static variable names.
33388 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33390 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33392 @subsubheading Example
33396 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
33397 @findex -symbol-locate
33399 @subsubheading Synopsis
33405 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33407 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
33409 @subsubheading Example
33413 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
33414 @findex -symbol-type
33416 @subsubheading Synopsis
33419 -symbol-type @var{variable}
33422 Show type of @var{variable}.
33424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33426 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
33427 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
33429 @subsubheading Example
33434 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33435 @node GDB/MI File Commands
33436 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
33438 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
33439 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
33441 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
33442 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
33444 @subsubheading Synopsis
33447 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
33450 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
33451 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
33452 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
33453 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
33454 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
33457 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33459 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
33461 @subsubheading Example
33465 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33471 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
33472 @findex -file-exec-file
33474 @subsubheading Synopsis
33477 -file-exec-file @var{file}
33480 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
33481 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
33482 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
33483 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
33486 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33488 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
33490 @subsubheading Example
33494 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33501 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
33502 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
33504 @subsubheading Synopsis
33507 -file-list-exec-sections
33510 List the sections of the current executable file.
33512 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33514 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
33515 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
33516 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
33518 @subsubheading Example
33523 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
33524 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
33526 @subsubheading Synopsis
33529 -file-list-exec-source-file
33532 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
33533 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
33534 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
33535 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
33537 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33539 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
33541 @subsubheading Example
33545 123-file-list-exec-source-file
33546 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
33551 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
33552 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
33554 @subsubheading Synopsis
33557 -file-list-exec-source-files
33560 List the source files for the current executable.
33562 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
33563 name) of a source file.
33565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33567 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
33568 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
33570 @subsubheading Example
33573 -file-list-exec-source-files
33575 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
33576 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
33577 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
33582 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
33583 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
33585 @subsubheading Synopsis
33588 -file-list-shared-libraries
33591 List the shared libraries in the program.
33593 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33595 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
33597 @subsubheading Example
33601 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
33602 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
33604 @subsubheading Synopsis
33607 -file-list-symbol-files
33612 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33614 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
33616 @subsubheading Example
33621 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
33622 @findex -file-symbol-file
33624 @subsubheading Synopsis
33627 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
33630 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
33631 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
33632 produced, except for a completion notification.
33634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33636 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
33638 @subsubheading Example
33642 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33648 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33649 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
33650 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
33652 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
33654 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
33656 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
33658 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
33660 @c @subheading -overlay-map
33662 @c @subheading -overlay-off
33664 @c @subheading -overlay-on
33666 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
33668 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33669 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
33670 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
33672 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
33674 @c @subheading -signal-handle
33676 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
33678 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
33682 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33683 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
33684 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
33687 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
33688 @findex -target-attach
33690 @subsubheading Synopsis
33693 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
33696 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
33697 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
33698 group, the id previously returned by
33699 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
33701 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33703 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
33705 @subsubheading Example
33709 =thread-created,id="1"
33710 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
33716 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
33717 @findex -target-compare-sections
33719 @subsubheading Synopsis
33722 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
33725 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
33726 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
33728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33730 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
33732 @subsubheading Example
33737 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
33738 @findex -target-detach
33740 @subsubheading Synopsis
33743 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
33746 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
33747 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
33748 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
33750 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33752 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
33754 @subsubheading Example
33764 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
33765 @findex -target-disconnect
33767 @subsubheading Synopsis
33773 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
33774 generally not resumed.
33776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33778 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
33780 @subsubheading Example
33790 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
33791 @findex -target-download
33793 @subsubheading Synopsis
33799 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
33800 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
33804 The name of the section.
33806 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
33808 The size of the section.
33810 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
33812 The size of the overall executable to download.
33816 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
33817 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
33819 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
33820 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
33824 The name of the section.
33826 The size of the section.
33828 The size of the overall executable to download.
33832 At the end, a summary is printed.
33834 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33836 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
33838 @subsubheading Example
33840 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
33841 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
33846 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
33847 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
33848 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
33849 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
33850 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
33851 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33852 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33853 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33854 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33855 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33856 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33857 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33858 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33859 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33860 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33861 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33862 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33863 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33864 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33865 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33866 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33867 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33868 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33869 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33870 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33871 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33872 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
33873 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33874 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33875 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
33876 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
33877 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
33878 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
33879 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
33880 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
33881 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
33882 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
33883 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
33884 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
33885 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
33886 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
33887 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
33888 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
33895 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
33896 @findex -target-exec-status
33898 @subsubheading Synopsis
33901 -target-exec-status
33904 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
33905 not, for instance).
33907 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33909 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
33911 @subsubheading Example
33915 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
33916 @findex -target-list-available-targets
33918 @subsubheading Synopsis
33921 -target-list-available-targets
33924 List the possible targets to connect to.
33926 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33928 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
33930 @subsubheading Example
33934 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
33935 @findex -target-list-current-targets
33937 @subsubheading Synopsis
33940 -target-list-current-targets
33943 Describe the current target.
33945 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33947 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
33950 @subsubheading Example
33954 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
33955 @findex -target-list-parameters
33957 @subsubheading Synopsis
33960 -target-list-parameters
33966 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33970 @subsubheading Example
33974 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
33975 @findex -target-select
33977 @subsubheading Synopsis
33980 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
33983 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
33987 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
33988 @item @var{parameters}
33989 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
33990 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
33993 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
33994 which the target program is, in the following form:
33997 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
33998 args=[@var{arg list}]
34001 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34003 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
34005 @subsubheading Example
34009 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
34010 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
34014 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34015 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
34016 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
34019 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
34020 @findex -target-file-put
34022 @subsubheading Synopsis
34025 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
34028 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
34029 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
34031 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34033 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
34035 @subsubheading Example
34039 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
34045 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
34046 @findex -target-file-get
34048 @subsubheading Synopsis
34051 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
34054 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
34055 on the host system.
34057 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34059 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
34061 @subsubheading Example
34065 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
34071 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
34072 @findex -target-file-delete
34074 @subsubheading Synopsis
34077 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
34080 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
34082 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34084 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
34086 @subsubheading Example
34090 -target-file-delete remotefile
34096 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34097 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
34098 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34100 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
34102 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
34105 @subsubheading Synopsis
34111 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
34113 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34115 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
34117 @subsubheading Example
34127 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
34128 @findex -exec-abort
34130 @subsubheading Synopsis
34136 Kill the inferior running program.
34138 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34140 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
34142 @subsubheading Example
34147 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
34150 @subsubheading Synopsis
34156 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
34157 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
34159 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34161 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
34163 @subsubheading Example
34173 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
34176 @subsubheading Synopsis
34182 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
34184 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34186 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
34188 @subsubheading Example
34197 @c @subheading -gdb-source
34200 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
34201 @findex -gdb-version
34203 @subsubheading Synopsis
34209 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
34211 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34213 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
34214 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
34216 @subsubheading Example
34218 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
34224 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34225 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
34226 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
34227 ~ certain conditions.
34228 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34229 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
34231 ~This GDB was configured as
34232 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
34237 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
34238 @findex -list-features
34240 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
34241 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
34242 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
34243 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
34244 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
34247 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
34248 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
34249 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
34255 (gdb) -list-features
34256 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
34259 The current list of features is:
34262 @item frozen-varobjs
34263 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
34264 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
34265 of @code{-varobj-create}.
34266 @item pending-breakpoints
34267 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
34270 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
34271 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
34272 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
34274 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
34275 @item data-read-memory-bytes
34276 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
34277 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
34278 @item breakpoint-notifications
34279 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
34280 CLI will be announced via async records.
34281 @item ada-task-info
34282 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
34285 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
34286 @findex -list-target-features
34288 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
34289 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
34290 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
34291 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
34292 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
34293 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
34294 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
34298 (gdb) -list-features
34299 ^done,result=["async"]
34302 The current list of features is:
34306 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
34307 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
34308 while the target is running.
34311 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
34312 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34316 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
34317 @findex -list-thread-groups
34319 @subheading Synopsis
34322 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
34325 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
34326 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
34327 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
34328 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
34329 top-level thread groups.
34331 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
34332 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
34333 available on the target.
34335 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
34336 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
34337 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
34338 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
34339 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
34340 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
34341 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
34342 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
34344 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
34345 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
34346 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
34347 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
34348 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
34349 @samp{threads} field.
34351 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
34352 the following caveats:
34356 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
34357 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
34358 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
34361 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
34362 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
34363 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
34364 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
34365 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
34366 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
34370 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
34371 have the following fields:
34375 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
34376 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
34377 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
34380 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
34384 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
34385 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
34388 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
34389 absent for an available thread group.
34392 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
34393 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
34394 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
34397 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
34398 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
34399 such information is not available.
34402 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
34403 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
34404 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
34408 @subheading Example
34412 -list-thread-groups
34413 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
34414 -list-thread-groups 17
34415 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
34416 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
34417 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
34418 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
34419 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
34420 -list-thread-groups --available
34421 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
34422 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
34423 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34424 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34425 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
34426 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
34427 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34428 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34429 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
34432 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
34435 @subsubheading Synopsis
34438 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
34441 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
34442 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
34443 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
34444 of data of that type.
34446 The types of information available depend on the target operating
34449 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34451 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
34453 @subsubheading Example
34455 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
34461 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
34462 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
34463 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
34464 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
34465 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
34466 col2="Processes"@},
34467 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
34468 col2="Process groups"@},
34469 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
34471 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
34472 col2="File descriptors"@},
34473 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
34475 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
34476 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
34477 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
34478 col2="Semaphores"@},
34479 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
34480 col2="Message queues"@},
34481 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
34482 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
34485 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
34486 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
34487 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
34488 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
34489 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
34490 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
34491 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
34492 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
34494 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
34495 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
34499 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
34500 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
34501 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
34502 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
34503 @code{info os} omits it.)
34505 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
34506 @findex -add-inferior
34508 @subheading Synopsis
34514 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
34515 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
34516 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
34517 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
34518 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
34519 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
34521 @subheading Example
34526 ^done,thread-group="i3"
34529 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
34530 @findex -interpreter-exec
34532 @subheading Synopsis
34535 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
34537 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
34539 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
34541 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34543 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
34545 @subheading Example
34549 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
34550 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
34551 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
34552 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
34557 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
34558 @findex -inferior-tty-set
34560 @subheading Synopsis
34563 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34566 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
34568 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34570 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
34572 @subheading Example
34576 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34581 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
34582 @findex -inferior-tty-show
34584 @subheading Synopsis
34590 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
34592 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34594 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
34596 @subheading Example
34600 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34604 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
34608 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
34609 @findex -enable-timings
34611 @subheading Synopsis
34614 -enable-timings [yes | no]
34617 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
34618 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
34619 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
34620 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
34622 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34626 @subheading Example
34634 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
34635 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
34636 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
34638 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
34646 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
34647 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
34648 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
34649 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
34654 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
34656 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
34657 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
34658 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
34659 relatively high level.
34661 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
34665 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
34669 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
34670 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
34671 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
34672 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
34673 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
34674 * Annotations for Running::
34675 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
34676 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
34679 @node Annotations Overview
34680 @section What is an Annotation?
34681 @cindex annotations
34683 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
34684 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
34685 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
34686 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
34687 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
34688 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
34689 cannot contain newline characters.
34691 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
34692 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
34693 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
34694 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
34695 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
34696 means those three characters as output.
34698 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
34699 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
34700 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
34701 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
34702 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
34703 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
34704 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
34705 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
34706 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
34709 @kindex set annotate
34710 @item set annotate @var{level}
34711 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
34712 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
34714 @item show annotate
34715 @kindex show annotate
34716 Show the current annotation level.
34719 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
34721 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
34724 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
34726 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34727 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
34728 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
34729 under certain conditions.
34730 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34731 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
34733 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
34744 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
34745 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
34746 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
34747 output from @value{GDBN}.
34749 @node Server Prefix
34750 @section The Server Prefix
34751 @cindex server prefix
34753 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
34754 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
34755 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
34756 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
34757 a transparent manner.
34759 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
34760 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
34761 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
34762 @code{print} command.
34764 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
34765 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
34768 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
34770 @cindex annotations for prompts
34771 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
34772 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
34775 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
34776 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
34777 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
34778 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
34779 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
34780 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
34781 features the following annotations:
34789 The input types are
34792 @findex pre-prompt annotation
34793 @findex prompt annotation
34794 @findex post-prompt annotation
34796 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
34798 @findex pre-commands annotation
34799 @findex commands annotation
34800 @findex post-commands annotation
34802 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
34803 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
34805 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
34806 @findex overload-choice annotation
34807 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
34808 @item overload-choice
34809 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
34811 @findex pre-query annotation
34812 @findex query annotation
34813 @findex post-query annotation
34815 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
34817 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
34818 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
34819 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
34820 @item prompt-for-continue
34821 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
34822 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
34823 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
34824 presence of annotations.
34829 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
34831 @findex quit annotation
34836 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
34838 @findex error annotation
34843 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
34845 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
34846 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
34847 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
34848 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
34849 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
34850 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
34853 @findex error-begin annotation
34854 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
34860 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
34863 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
34864 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
34865 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
34868 @section Invalidation Notices
34870 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
34871 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
34875 @findex frames-invalid annotation
34876 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
34878 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
34881 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
34882 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
34884 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
34885 deleted a breakpoint.
34888 @node Annotations for Running
34889 @section Running the Program
34890 @cindex annotations for running programs
34892 @findex starting annotation
34893 @findex stopping annotation
34894 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
34895 @code{step} or @code{continue},
34901 is output. When the program stops,
34907 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
34908 annotations describe how the program stopped.
34911 @findex exited annotation
34912 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
34913 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
34914 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
34916 @findex signalled annotation
34917 @findex signal-name annotation
34918 @findex signal-name-end annotation
34919 @findex signal-string annotation
34920 @findex signal-string-end annotation
34921 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
34922 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
34923 annotation continues:
34929 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
34933 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
34938 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
34939 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
34940 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
34941 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
34942 user's benefit and have no particular format.
34944 @findex signal annotation
34946 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
34947 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
34948 terminated with it.
34950 @findex breakpoint annotation
34951 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
34952 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
34954 @findex watchpoint annotation
34955 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
34956 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
34959 @node Source Annotations
34960 @section Displaying Source
34961 @cindex annotations for source display
34963 @findex source annotation
34964 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
34967 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
34970 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
34971 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
34972 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
34973 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
34974 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
34975 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
34976 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
34977 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
34978 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
34979 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
34980 depend on the language).
34982 @node JIT Interface
34983 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
34984 @cindex just-in-time compilation
34985 @cindex JIT compilation interface
34987 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
34988 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
34989 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
34990 performance while maintaining platform independence.
34992 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
34993 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
34994 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
34995 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
34996 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
34997 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
34999 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
35000 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
35001 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
35002 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
35005 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
35006 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
35007 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
35008 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
35009 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
35010 out about additional code.
35013 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
35014 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
35015 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
35016 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
35020 @section JIT Declarations
35022 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
35023 implement the interface:
35033 struct jit_code_entry
35035 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
35036 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
35037 const char *symfile_addr;
35038 uint64_t symfile_size;
35041 struct jit_descriptor
35044 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
35045 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
35046 uint32_t action_flag;
35047 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
35048 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
35051 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
35052 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
35054 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
35055 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
35056 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
35059 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
35060 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
35061 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
35063 @node Registering Code
35064 @section Registering Code
35066 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
35070 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
35071 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
35074 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
35078 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
35081 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
35084 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
35085 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35088 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
35089 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
35090 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
35091 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
35093 @node Unregistering Code
35094 @section Unregistering Code
35096 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
35100 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
35103 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
35106 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
35107 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35110 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
35111 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
35113 @node Custom Debug Info
35114 @section Custom Debug Info
35115 @cindex custom JIT debug info
35116 @cindex JIT debug info reader
35118 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
35119 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
35120 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
35121 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
35122 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
35123 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
35124 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
35125 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
35126 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
35128 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
35129 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
35130 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
35131 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
35132 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
35133 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
35137 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
35138 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
35141 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35142 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35143 @kindex jit-reader-load
35144 @kindex jit-reader-unload
35146 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
35147 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
35150 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
35151 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
35152 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
35153 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
35154 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
35155 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
35156 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
35158 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
35159 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
35160 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
35161 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
35162 @code{jit-reader-load}.
35164 @item jit-reader-unload
35165 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
35169 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35170 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35171 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
35173 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
35174 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
35176 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
35177 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
35178 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
35179 the system include directory.
35181 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
35182 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
35183 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
35185 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
35186 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
35188 @findex gdb_init_reader
35190 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
35193 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
35195 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
35196 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
35197 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
35198 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
35199 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
35200 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
35203 struct gdb_reader_funcs
35205 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
35206 int reader_version;
35208 /* For use by the reader. */
35211 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
35212 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
35213 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
35214 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
35218 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
35219 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
35221 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
35222 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
35223 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
35224 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
35225 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
35226 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
35227 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
35228 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
35229 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
35230 target's address space.
35232 @node In-Process Agent
35233 @chapter In-Process Agent
35234 @cindex debugging agent
35235 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
35236 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
35237 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
35238 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
35239 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
35240 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
35241 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
35242 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
35243 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
35244 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
35245 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
35246 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
35247 behavior without interrupting it.
35249 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
35250 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
35251 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
35252 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
35253 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
35254 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
35255 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
35256 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
35257 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
35259 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
35260 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
35261 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
35262 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
35264 @anchor{Control Agent}
35265 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
35266 debugging with the following commands:
35269 @kindex set agent on
35271 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
35272 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
35273 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
35274 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
35275 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
35276 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
35278 @kindex set agent off
35279 @item set agent off
35280 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
35281 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
35285 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
35286 the in-process agent.
35290 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
35293 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
35294 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
35295 @cindex in-process agent protocol
35297 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
35298 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
35299 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
35300 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
35301 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
35302 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
35303 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
35304 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
35305 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
35308 * IPA Protocol Objects::
35309 * IPA Protocol Commands::
35312 @node IPA Protocol Objects
35313 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
35314 @cindex ipa protocol objects
35316 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
35317 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
35319 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
35320 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
35321 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
35322 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
35326 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
35327 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
35329 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
35330 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
35334 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
35338 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
35339 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
35340 @anchor{agent expression object}
35342 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
35343 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
35344 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
35345 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
35347 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35348 @anchor{tracepoint object}
35352 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
35355 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
35356 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
35357 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
35358 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
35359 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
35360 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
35361 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35362 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
35363 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
35364 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
35365 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
35366 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
35367 memory address for collecting.
35368 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
35369 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35370 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
35371 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35372 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
35373 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35374 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
35375 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
35376 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
35377 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
35378 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
35379 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
35380 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
35381 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
35382 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
35383 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
35384 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
35385 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
35386 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
35387 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
35388 @ref{agent expression object}
35389 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
35390 @ref{agent expression object}
35391 @item actions @tab variable
35392 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
35395 @node IPA Protocol Commands
35396 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
35397 @cindex ipa protocol commands
35399 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
35400 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
35404 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
35405 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
35406 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
35407 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
35412 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
35413 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
35414 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
35415 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
35416 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
35417 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
35424 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
35425 is about to kill inferiors.
35433 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
35434 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
35441 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
35442 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
35446 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
35447 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
35448 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
35450 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
35452 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
35453 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
35454 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
35455 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
35457 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
35458 information that enables us to fix the bug.
35461 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
35462 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
35466 @section Have You Found a Bug?
35467 @cindex bug criteria
35469 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
35472 @cindex fatal signal
35473 @cindex debugger crash
35474 @cindex crash of debugger
35476 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
35477 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
35479 @cindex error on valid input
35481 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
35482 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
35483 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
35485 @cindex invalid input
35487 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
35488 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
35489 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
35490 for traditional practice''.
35493 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
35494 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
35497 @node Bug Reporting
35498 @section How to Report Bugs
35499 @cindex bug reports
35500 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
35502 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
35503 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
35504 contact that organization first.
35506 You can find contact information for many support companies and
35507 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
35509 @c should add a web page ref...
35512 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
35513 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35514 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
35515 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
35516 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
35519 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
35520 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
35521 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
35524 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
35525 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
35526 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
35527 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
35528 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
35529 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
35530 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
35531 bug reports to the mailing list.
35533 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
35534 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35535 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
35539 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
35540 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
35541 fact or leave it out, state it!
35543 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
35544 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
35545 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
35546 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
35547 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
35548 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
35549 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
35550 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
35551 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
35553 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
35554 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
35555 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
35558 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
35559 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
35560 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
35563 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
35567 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
35568 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
35571 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
35572 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
35575 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
35579 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
35580 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
35581 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
35582 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
35585 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
35586 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
35589 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
35590 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
35591 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
35592 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
35596 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
35597 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
35598 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
35599 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
35601 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
35602 and then we might not encounter the bug.
35605 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
35609 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
35610 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
35612 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
35613 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
35614 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
35615 a chance to make a mistake.
35617 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
35618 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
35619 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
35620 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
35621 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
35622 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
35623 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
35624 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
35627 @cindex recording a session script
35628 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
35629 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
35630 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
35631 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
35633 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
35634 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
35637 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
35638 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
35639 it by context, not by line number.
35641 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
35642 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
35646 Here are some things that are not necessary:
35650 A description of the envelope of the bug.
35652 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
35653 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
35654 changes will not affect it.
35656 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
35657 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
35658 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
35659 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
35661 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
35662 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
35663 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
35664 less time, and so on.
35666 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
35667 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
35670 A patch for the bug.
35672 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
35673 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
35674 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
35675 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
35677 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
35678 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
35679 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
35680 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
35682 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
35683 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
35684 help us to understand.
35687 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
35689 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
35690 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
35693 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
35694 @c and consists of the two following files:
35697 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
35698 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
35699 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
35700 @include rluser.texi
35701 @include hsuser.texi
35705 @appendix In Memoriam
35707 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
35712 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
35713 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
35714 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
35716 @item Michael Snyder
35717 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
35718 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
35719 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
35720 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
35723 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
35724 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
35726 @node Formatting Documentation
35727 @appendix Formatting Documentation
35729 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
35730 @cindex reference card
35731 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
35732 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
35733 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
35734 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
35735 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
35736 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
35738 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
35739 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
35745 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
35746 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
35747 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
35748 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
35749 your @sc{dvi} output program.
35751 @cindex documentation
35753 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
35754 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
35755 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
35756 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
35757 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
35758 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
35760 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
35761 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
35762 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
35763 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
35764 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
35765 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
35766 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
35767 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
35769 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
35770 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
35773 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
35774 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
35775 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
35782 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
35783 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
35784 Texinfo definitions file.
35786 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
35787 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
35788 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
35789 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
35790 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
35791 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
35792 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
35794 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
35795 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
35796 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
35797 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
35798 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
35801 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
35802 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
35803 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
35804 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
35810 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
35812 @node Installing GDB
35813 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
35814 @cindex installation
35817 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
35818 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
35819 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
35820 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
35821 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
35822 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
35826 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
35827 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
35829 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
35830 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
35832 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
35834 @item ISO C90 compiler
35835 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
35836 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
35840 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
35844 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
35845 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
35846 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
35847 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
35848 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
35849 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
35855 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
35857 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
35859 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
35860 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
35862 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
35864 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
35866 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
35870 @cindex compressed debug sections
35871 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
35872 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
35873 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
35874 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
35875 information in such binaries.
35877 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
35878 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
35879 @url{http://zlib.net}.
35882 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
35883 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
35884 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
35885 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
35887 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
35888 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
35889 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
35890 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
35892 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
35893 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
35894 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
35896 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
35897 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
35898 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
35899 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
35900 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
35901 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
35902 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
35903 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
35906 @node Running Configure
35907 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
35908 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
35909 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
35910 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
35911 build the @code{gdb} program.
35913 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
35914 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
35915 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
35916 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
35919 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
35920 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
35921 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
35923 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
35924 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
35927 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
35928 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
35930 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
35931 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
35933 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
35934 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
35936 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
35937 @sc{gnu} include files
35939 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
35940 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
35942 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
35943 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
35945 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
35946 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
35948 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
35949 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
35951 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
35952 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
35955 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
35956 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
35957 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
35959 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
35960 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
35961 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
35967 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35968 ./configure @var{host}
35973 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
35974 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
35975 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
35976 correct value by examining your system.)
35978 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
35979 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
35980 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
35981 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
35984 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
35985 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
35986 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
35989 sh configure @var{host}
35992 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
35993 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
35994 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
35996 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
35997 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
35999 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
36000 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
36001 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
36002 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
36003 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
36004 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
36005 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
36006 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
36007 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36009 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
36010 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
36011 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
36012 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
36013 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
36015 @node Separate Objdir
36016 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
36018 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
36019 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
36020 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
36021 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
36022 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
36023 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
36024 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
36025 program specified there.
36027 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
36028 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
36029 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
36030 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
36031 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
36032 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
36034 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
36035 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
36039 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36042 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
36047 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
36048 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
36049 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
36050 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
36051 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
36052 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
36054 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
36055 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
36056 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
36057 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
36058 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36060 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
36061 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
36062 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
36063 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
36064 You specify a cross-debugging target by
36065 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
36067 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
36068 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
36069 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
36071 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
36072 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
36073 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
36074 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
36075 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
36077 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
36078 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
36079 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
36083 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
36085 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
36086 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
36087 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
36088 of information in the following pattern:
36091 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
36094 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
36095 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
36096 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
36098 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
36099 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
36100 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
36101 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
36102 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
36103 abbreviations---for example:
36106 % sh config.sub i386-linux
36108 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
36109 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
36110 % sh config.sub hp9k700
36112 % sh config.sub sun4
36113 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
36114 % sh config.sub sun3
36115 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
36116 % sh config.sub i986v
36117 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
36121 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
36122 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
36124 @node Configure Options
36125 @section @file{configure} Options
36127 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
36128 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
36129 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
36130 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
36133 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
36134 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36135 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36136 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
36137 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
36138 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
36143 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
36144 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
36149 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
36151 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
36152 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
36155 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
36156 Configure the source to install programs under directory
36159 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
36161 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
36162 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
36163 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
36164 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
36165 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
36166 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
36167 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
36168 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
36169 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
36170 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
36173 @item --norecursion
36174 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
36175 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
36177 @item --target=@var{target}
36178 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
36179 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
36180 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
36182 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
36184 @item @var{host} @dots{}
36185 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
36187 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
36190 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
36191 needed for special purposes only.
36193 @node System-wide configuration
36194 @section System-wide configuration and settings
36195 @cindex system-wide init file
36197 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
36198 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
36199 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
36201 Here is the corresponding configure option:
36204 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
36205 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
36209 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
36210 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
36214 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
36215 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
36216 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
36217 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
36218 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
36219 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
36222 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
36223 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
36224 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36225 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36226 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
36229 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
36230 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
36231 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
36232 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
36233 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
36234 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
36235 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
36236 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
36237 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
36240 @node Maintenance Commands
36241 @appendix Maintenance Commands
36242 @cindex maintenance commands
36243 @cindex internal commands
36245 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
36246 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
36247 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
36248 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
36249 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
36252 @kindex maint agent
36253 @kindex maint agent-eval
36254 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36255 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36256 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
36257 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
36258 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
36259 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
36260 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
36261 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
36262 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
36263 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
36264 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
36265 addition and return the sum.
36266 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
36267 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
36269 @kindex maint agent-printf
36270 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
36271 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
36272 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
36273 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
36274 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
36276 @kindex maint info breakpoints
36277 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
36278 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
36279 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
36280 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
36281 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
36286 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
36289 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
36292 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
36293 @code{longjmp} calls.
36295 @item longjmp resume
36296 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
36299 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
36302 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
36305 Shared library events.
36309 @kindex maint info bfds
36310 @item maint info bfds
36311 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
36312 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
36314 @kindex set displaced-stepping
36315 @kindex show displaced-stepping
36316 @cindex displaced stepping support
36317 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
36318 @item set displaced-stepping
36319 @itemx show displaced-stepping
36320 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
36321 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
36322 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
36323 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
36324 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
36327 @item set displaced-stepping on
36328 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
36329 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
36331 @item set displaced-stepping off
36332 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
36333 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
36335 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
36336 @item set displaced-stepping auto
36337 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
36338 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
36339 architecture supports displaced stepping.
36342 @kindex maint check-symtabs
36343 @item maint check-symtabs
36344 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
36346 @kindex maint cplus first_component
36347 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
36348 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
36350 @kindex maint cplus namespace
36351 @item maint cplus namespace
36352 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
36354 @kindex maint demangle
36355 @item maint demangle @var{name}
36356 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
36358 @kindex maint deprecate
36359 @kindex maint undeprecate
36360 @cindex deprecated commands
36361 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
36362 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
36363 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
36364 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
36365 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
36366 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
36367 the replacement as part of the warning.
36369 @kindex maint dump-me
36370 @item maint dump-me
36371 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
36372 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
36373 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
36374 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
36376 @kindex maint internal-error
36377 @kindex maint internal-warning
36378 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36379 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36380 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
36381 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
36382 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
36383 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
36384 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
36385 @value{GDBN} session.
36387 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
36388 used as the text of the error or warning message.
36390 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
36393 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
36394 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
36395 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
36396 debugging may prove unreliable.
36397 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36398 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36402 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
36403 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
36405 @kindex maint set internal-error
36406 @kindex maint show internal-error
36407 @kindex maint set internal-warning
36408 @kindex maint show internal-warning
36409 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36410 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
36411 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36412 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
36413 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
36414 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
36415 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
36416 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
36417 described in the table below.
36421 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36422 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36425 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36426 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36429 @kindex maint packet
36430 @item maint packet @var{text}
36431 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
36432 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
36433 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
36434 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
36437 @kindex maint print architecture
36438 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36439 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
36440 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
36442 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
36443 @item maint print c-tdesc
36444 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
36445 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
36446 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
36448 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
36449 @item maint print dummy-frames
36450 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
36453 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
36455 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
36456 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
36458 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
36460 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
36461 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
36462 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
36463 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
36467 Takes an optional file parameter.
36469 @kindex maint print registers
36470 @kindex maint print raw-registers
36471 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
36472 @kindex maint print register-groups
36473 @kindex maint print remote-registers
36474 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36475 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36476 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36477 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36478 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36479 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
36481 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
36482 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
36483 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
36484 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
36485 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
36486 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
36487 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
36488 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
36489 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
36491 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
36492 write the information.
36494 @kindex maint print reggroups
36495 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36496 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
36497 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
36500 The register groups info looks like this:
36503 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
36516 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
36518 @kindex maint print objfiles
36519 @cindex info for known object files
36520 @item maint print objfiles
36521 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
36522 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
36525 @kindex maint print section-scripts
36526 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
36527 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
36528 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
36529 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
36530 matching @var{regexp}.
36531 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
36532 and the full path if known.
36533 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
36535 @kindex maint print statistics
36536 @cindex bcache statistics
36537 @item maint print statistics
36538 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
36539 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
36540 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
36541 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
36542 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
36543 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
36544 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
36545 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
36546 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
36547 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
36550 @kindex maint print target-stack
36551 @cindex target stack description
36552 @item maint print target-stack
36553 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
36554 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
36555 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
36556 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
36557 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
36560 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
36561 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
36563 @kindex maint print type
36564 @cindex type chain of a data type
36565 @item maint print type @var{expr}
36566 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
36567 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
36568 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
36569 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
36570 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
36572 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
36573 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
36574 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
36575 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
36576 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
36579 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
36580 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
36581 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
36582 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
36583 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
36584 always see the disassembly form.
36586 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
36589 (gdb) info addr argc
36590 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
36594 For more information on these expressions, see
36595 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
36597 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
36598 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
36599 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
36600 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
36601 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
36603 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
36604 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
36605 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
36606 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
36607 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
36608 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
36609 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
36610 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
36611 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
36613 @kindex maint set profile
36614 @kindex maint show profile
36615 @cindex profiling GDB
36616 @item maint set profile
36617 @itemx maint show profile
36618 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
36620 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
36621 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
36622 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
36623 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
36624 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
36625 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
36626 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
36628 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
36629 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
36631 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
36632 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
36633 @cindex hardware debug registers
36634 @item maint set show-debug-regs
36635 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
36636 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
36637 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
36638 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
36639 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
36640 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
36642 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
36643 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
36644 @item maint set show-all-tib
36645 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
36646 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
36647 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
36650 @kindex maint set per-command
36651 @kindex maint show per-command
36652 @item maint set per-command
36653 @itemx maint show per-command
36654 @cindex resources used by commands
36656 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
36657 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
36660 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
36661 @itemx maint show per-command space
36662 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
36663 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
36664 took, following the command's own output.
36665 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36666 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36668 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
36669 @itemx maint show per-command time
36670 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
36672 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
36673 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
36674 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
36675 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
36676 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
36677 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
36678 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
36679 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
36680 spent by the program been debugged.
36681 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36682 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36684 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
36685 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
36686 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
36688 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
36692 number of symbol tables
36694 number of primary symbol tables
36696 number of blocks in the blockvector
36700 @kindex maint space
36701 @cindex memory used by commands
36702 @item maint space @var{value}
36703 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
36704 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36707 @cindex time of command execution
36708 @item maint time @var{value}
36709 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
36710 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36712 @kindex maint translate-address
36713 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
36714 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
36715 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
36716 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
36717 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
36718 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
36719 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
36721 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
36722 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
36723 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
36727 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
36728 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
36731 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
36732 @kindex set watchdog
36733 @cindex watchdog timer
36734 @cindex timeout for commands
36735 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
36736 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
36737 reports and error and the command is aborted.
36739 @item show watchdog
36740 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
36743 @node Remote Protocol
36744 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
36749 * Stop Reply Packets::
36750 * General Query Packets::
36751 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
36752 * Tracepoint Packets::
36753 * Host I/O Packets::
36755 * Notification Packets::
36756 * Remote Non-Stop::
36757 * Packet Acknowledgment::
36759 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
36760 * Library List Format::
36761 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
36762 * Memory Map Format::
36763 * Thread List Format::
36764 * Traceframe Info Format::
36765 * Branch Trace Format::
36771 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
36772 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
36773 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
36774 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
36776 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
36777 transmitted and received data, respectively.
36779 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
36780 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
36781 @cindex remote serial protocol
36782 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
36783 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
36784 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
36785 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
36786 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
36789 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36793 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
36795 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
36796 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
36797 eight bit unsigned checksum).
36799 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
36800 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
36803 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36806 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
36808 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
36809 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
36810 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
36812 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
36813 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
36814 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
36818 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36823 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
36824 once a connection is established.
36825 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
36827 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
36828 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
36829 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
36830 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
36831 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
36832 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
36833 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
36835 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
36836 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
36839 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
36840 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
36841 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
36842 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
36844 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
36845 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
36846 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
36848 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
36849 @anchor{Binary Data}
36850 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
36851 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
36852 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
36853 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
36854 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
36857 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
36858 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
36859 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
36860 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
36861 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
36862 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
36863 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
36864 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
36865 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
36868 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
36869 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
36870 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
36871 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
36872 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
36873 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
36874 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
36875 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
36876 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
36877 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
36878 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
36881 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
36882 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
36883 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
36884 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
36887 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
36888 error number. That number is not well defined.
36890 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
36891 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
36892 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
36893 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
36896 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
36897 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
36898 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
36899 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
36900 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
36901 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
36906 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
36907 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
36908 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
36909 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
36911 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
36912 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
36913 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
36914 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
36915 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
36916 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
36917 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
36918 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
36919 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
36922 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
36923 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
36924 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
36925 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
36926 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
36927 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
36930 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
36931 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
36932 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
36933 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
36934 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
36935 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
36936 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
36937 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
36938 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
36939 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
36940 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
36941 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
36942 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
36944 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
36945 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
36946 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
36949 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
36950 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
36952 Here are the packet descriptions.
36957 @cindex @samp{!} packet
36958 @anchor{extended mode}
36959 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
36960 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
36966 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
36970 @cindex @samp{?} packet
36971 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
36972 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
36973 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36976 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36978 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
36979 @cindex @samp{A} packet
36980 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
36981 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
36982 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
36987 The arguments were set.
36993 @cindex @samp{b} packet
36994 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
36995 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
36997 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
36998 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
36999 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
37001 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
37002 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
37003 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
37004 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
37005 of view, nothing actually happened.}
37007 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
37008 @cindex @samp{B} packet
37009 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
37010 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
37012 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
37013 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
37015 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
37018 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
37019 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37022 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37024 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
37027 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
37028 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37031 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37033 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37034 @cindex @samp{c} packet
37035 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
37036 resume at current address.
37038 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37042 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37044 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37045 @cindex @samp{C} packet
37046 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
37047 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
37049 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37053 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37056 @cindex @samp{d} packet
37059 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
37060 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
37064 @cindex @samp{D} packet
37065 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
37066 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
37067 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
37069 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
37070 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
37071 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
37072 big-endian hex string.
37082 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
37083 @cindex @samp{F} packet
37084 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
37085 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
37086 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
37089 @anchor{read registers packet}
37090 @cindex @samp{g} packet
37091 Read general registers.
37095 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37096 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
37097 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
37098 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
37099 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
37100 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
37101 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
37103 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
37104 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
37105 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
37106 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
37107 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
37108 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
37109 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
37110 have been collected, and both have zero value:
37114 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
37121 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
37122 @cindex @samp{G} packet
37123 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
37124 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
37134 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
37135 @cindex @samp{H} packet
37136 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
37137 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
37138 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
37139 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
37140 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
37141 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
37142 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37153 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
37154 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
37155 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
37156 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
37157 @c described. For example:
37159 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37160 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
37161 @c otherwise returns current registers.
37163 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37164 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
37165 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
37167 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
37168 @anchor{cycle step packet}
37169 @cindex @samp{i} packet
37170 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
37171 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
37172 step starting at that address.
37175 @cindex @samp{I} packet
37176 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
37180 @cindex @samp{k} packet
37183 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
37184 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
37187 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
37188 @cindex @samp{m} packet
37189 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37190 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
37192 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
37193 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
37194 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
37195 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
37196 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
37197 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
37198 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
37199 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
37203 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37204 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
37205 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
37206 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
37211 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37212 @cindex @samp{M} packet
37213 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37214 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
37215 hexadecimal number.
37222 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
37227 @cindex @samp{p} packet
37228 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
37229 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
37230 register value is encoded.
37234 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37235 the register's value
37239 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
37242 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
37243 @anchor{write register packet}
37244 @cindex @samp{P} packet
37245 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
37246 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
37247 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
37257 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37258 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37259 @cindex @samp{q} packet
37260 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
37261 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
37262 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
37265 @cindex @samp{r} packet
37266 Reset the entire system.
37268 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
37271 @cindex @samp{R} packet
37272 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
37273 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37275 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
37277 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37278 @cindex @samp{s} packet
37279 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
37280 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
37282 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37286 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37288 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37289 @anchor{step with signal packet}
37290 @cindex @samp{S} packet
37291 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
37292 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
37294 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37298 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37300 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
37301 @cindex @samp{t} packet
37302 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
37303 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
37304 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
37306 @item T @var{thread-id}
37307 @cindex @samp{T} packet
37308 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37313 thread is still alive
37319 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
37320 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
37322 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
37323 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
37324 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
37325 The process ID is a
37326 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
37327 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
37328 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
37330 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
37331 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
37332 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
37333 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
37334 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
37335 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
37336 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
37337 @c stopping or restarting threads.
37339 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37345 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37346 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37348 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
37351 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
37352 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
37353 @anchor{vCont packet}
37354 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
37355 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
37356 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
37357 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
37358 in their current state in non-stop mode.
37359 Specifying multiple
37360 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
37361 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37363 Currently supported actions are:
37369 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37373 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37378 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
37379 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
37380 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
37382 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
37383 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
37384 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
37385 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
37386 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
37387 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
37388 as an implementation detail.
37390 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
37391 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
37392 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
37393 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
37397 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37400 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
37401 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
37405 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
37406 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
37407 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
37409 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
37412 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
37413 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
37414 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
37415 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
37417 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
37418 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
37419 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
37420 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
37421 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
37422 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
37423 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
37424 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
37425 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37426 packet is received.
37436 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37437 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
37438 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
37439 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
37440 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
37441 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
37442 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
37443 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
37444 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
37445 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
37446 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
37447 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
37455 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
37461 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
37462 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
37463 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
37464 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
37465 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
37466 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37467 request is completed.
37469 @item vKill;@var{pid}
37470 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
37471 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
37472 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
37473 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
37474 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37484 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
37485 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
37486 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
37487 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
37488 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
37489 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
37492 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
37494 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37500 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37501 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37505 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
37506 @xref{Notification Packets}.
37508 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37510 @cindex @samp{X} packet
37511 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
37512 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
37513 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37523 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37524 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37525 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
37526 @cindex @samp{z} packet
37527 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
37528 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
37529 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
37531 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
37534 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
37535 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
37536 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
37537 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
37538 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
37539 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
37541 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37542 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37543 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
37544 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
37545 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
37546 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
37548 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
37549 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
37550 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
37551 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
37552 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
37553 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
37554 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
37555 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
37556 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
37557 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
37559 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
37560 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
37564 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37565 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37566 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37570 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
37571 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
37572 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
37573 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
37574 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
37575 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
37576 separators. Each expression has the following form:
37580 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37581 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37582 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37586 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
37588 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
37589 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
37590 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
37591 target, is not defined.}
37603 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37604 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37605 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
37606 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
37607 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
37608 address @var{addr}.
37610 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
37611 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
37612 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
37614 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
37627 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37628 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37629 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
37630 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
37631 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37632 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37644 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37645 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37646 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
37647 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
37648 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37649 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37661 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37662 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37663 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
37664 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
37665 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37666 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37680 @node Stop Reply Packets
37681 @section Stop Reply Packets
37682 @cindex stop reply packets
37684 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
37685 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
37686 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
37687 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
37688 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
37689 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
37690 @value{GDBN} source code.
37692 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
37693 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
37694 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
37700 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37701 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
37702 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
37704 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
37705 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
37706 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37707 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
37708 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
37709 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
37710 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
37711 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
37715 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
37716 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
37717 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
37718 two-digit hex number.
37721 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
37722 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37725 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
37726 the core on which the stop event was detected.
37729 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
37730 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
37731 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
37732 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
37735 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
37736 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
37740 The currently defined stop reasons are:
37746 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
37749 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
37751 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
37752 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
37753 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
37755 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
37757 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
37758 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
37759 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
37760 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
37761 for more information.
37765 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37766 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
37767 applicable to certain targets.
37769 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
37770 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
37771 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37772 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37775 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37776 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
37778 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37779 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37780 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37781 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37783 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
37784 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
37785 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
37786 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
37787 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
37789 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
37790 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
37791 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
37792 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
37793 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
37796 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
37797 this very system call.
37799 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
37800 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
37801 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
37802 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37803 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
37804 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
37808 @node General Query Packets
37809 @section General Query Packets
37810 @cindex remote query requests
37812 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
37813 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
37814 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
37815 sending information to and from the stub.
37817 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
37818 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
37819 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
37820 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
37825 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
37827 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
37830 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
37831 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
37832 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
37833 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
37836 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
37837 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
37838 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
37839 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
37840 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
37841 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
37842 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
37843 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
37844 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
37845 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
37848 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
37849 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
37850 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
37851 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
37852 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
37854 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
37860 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
37861 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
37863 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
37864 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
37865 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
37866 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
37867 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
37868 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
37869 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
37870 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
37871 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
37872 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
37873 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
37876 @cindex current thread, remote request
37877 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
37878 Return the current thread ID.
37882 @item QC @var{thread-id}
37883 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
37884 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37885 @item @r{(anything else)}
37886 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
37889 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
37890 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
37891 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
37892 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
37893 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
37894 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
37895 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
37897 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
37898 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
37899 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
37900 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
37901 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
37902 detect trailing zeros.
37907 An error (such as memory fault)
37908 @item C @var{crc32}
37909 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
37912 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
37913 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
37914 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
37915 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
37916 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
37917 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
37918 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
37919 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
37920 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
37921 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
37924 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37929 The request succeeded.
37932 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37935 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
37939 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37940 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37941 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
37942 address space randomization.
37945 @itemx qsThreadInfo
37946 @cindex list active threads, remote request
37947 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
37948 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
37949 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
37950 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
37951 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
37952 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
37953 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
37954 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
37956 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
37960 @item m @var{thread-id}
37962 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
37963 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
37965 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37968 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37969 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
37970 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
37971 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
37972 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
37973 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37976 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
37977 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
37978 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
37979 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
37980 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
37982 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
37983 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37985 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
37986 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
37987 information associated with the variable.)
37989 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
37990 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
37991 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
37992 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
37993 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
37994 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
37998 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37999 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
38000 local storage requested.
38003 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38006 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38009 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
38010 @cindex get thread information block address
38011 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
38012 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
38014 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
38018 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38019 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
38020 thread information block.
38023 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
38024 address could not be retrieved.
38027 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38030 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
38031 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
38032 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
38033 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
38034 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
38035 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
38036 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
38038 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
38042 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
38043 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
38044 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
38045 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
38046 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
38047 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
38048 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
38052 @cindex section offsets, remote request
38053 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
38054 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
38059 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
38060 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
38061 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
38062 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
38063 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
38064 segments by the supplied offsets.
38066 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
38067 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
38068 to the @code{Bss} section.}
38070 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
38071 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
38072 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
38073 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
38074 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
38075 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
38076 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
38077 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
38078 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
38081 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
38082 @cindex thread information, remote request
38083 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
38084 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
38085 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
38086 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
38088 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
38091 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
38095 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
38096 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
38098 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
38099 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
38104 The request succeeded.
38107 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38110 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
38114 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38115 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38116 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
38117 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
38119 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38120 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
38121 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38122 @anchor{QPassSignals}
38123 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
38124 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38125 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38126 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
38127 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
38128 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
38129 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
38130 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
38131 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
38136 The request succeeded.
38139 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38142 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
38146 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
38147 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
38148 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38149 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38151 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38152 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
38153 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
38154 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
38155 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
38156 Others should be silently discarded.
38158 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
38159 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
38160 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
38161 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
38162 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
38163 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
38166 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
38167 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
38169 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38170 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38171 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
38172 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
38173 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
38178 The request succeeded.
38181 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38184 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
38188 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
38189 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
38190 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38191 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38193 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
38194 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
38195 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
38196 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
38197 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
38198 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
38199 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
38200 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
38201 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
38206 A command response with no output.
38208 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
38210 Indicate a badly formed request.
38212 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
38215 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
38216 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38217 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38220 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
38221 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
38223 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
38225 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
38226 @anchor{qSearch memory}
38227 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
38228 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
38229 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
38234 The pattern was not found.
38236 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
38238 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
38240 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
38243 @item QStartNoAckMode
38244 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
38245 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
38246 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
38247 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
38252 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
38253 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
38254 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
38255 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
38257 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
38260 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
38261 @cindex supported packets, remote query
38262 @cindex features of the remote protocol
38263 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
38264 @anchor{qSupported}
38265 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
38266 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
38267 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
38268 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
38269 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
38270 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
38271 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
38272 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
38273 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
38274 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
38275 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
38276 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
38277 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
38278 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
38282 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
38283 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
38284 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
38287 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
38288 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
38291 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
38292 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
38296 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
38297 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
38298 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
38299 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
38301 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
38302 need an associated value.
38304 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
38306 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
38307 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
38308 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
38309 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
38312 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
38313 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
38314 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
38315 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
38316 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
38318 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
38323 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
38324 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38325 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38326 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38327 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
38330 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
38331 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
38332 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
38336 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
38337 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38338 instruction reply packet}).
38341 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
38342 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
38343 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
38344 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
38345 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
38346 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
38347 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
38348 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
38349 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
38350 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
38351 all the features it supports.
38353 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
38354 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
38356 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
38357 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
38358 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
38361 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
38362 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
38363 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
38364 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
38366 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
38367 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
38368 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
38369 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
38370 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
38372 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
38374 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
38375 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
38376 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
38378 @tab Value Required
38382 @item @samp{PacketSize}
38387 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
38392 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38397 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
38402 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38407 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38412 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
38417 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
38422 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
38427 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
38432 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
38437 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
38442 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38447 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38452 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38457 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
38462 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
38467 @item @samp{QNonStop}
38472 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
38477 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
38482 @item @samp{multiprocess}
38487 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
38492 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
38497 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
38502 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
38507 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
38512 @item @samp{QAgent}
38517 @item @samp{QAllow}
38522 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
38527 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
38532 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
38537 @item @samp{tracenz}
38542 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
38549 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
38552 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
38553 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
38554 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
38555 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
38556 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
38557 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
38558 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
38559 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
38560 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
38561 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
38563 @item qXfer:auxv:read
38564 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
38565 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
38567 @item qXfer:btrace:read
38568 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38569 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
38571 @item qXfer:features:read
38572 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
38573 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
38575 @item qXfer:libraries:read
38576 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
38577 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
38579 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
38580 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38581 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38583 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
38584 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
38585 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
38587 @item qXfer:sdata:read
38588 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
38589 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
38591 @item qXfer:spu:read
38592 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
38593 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
38595 @item qXfer:spu:write
38596 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
38597 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
38599 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
38600 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
38601 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
38603 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
38604 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
38605 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
38607 @item qXfer:threads:read
38608 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38609 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
38611 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
38612 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38613 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
38615 @item qXfer:uib:read
38616 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38617 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
38619 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
38620 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38621 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
38624 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
38625 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
38628 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38629 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
38631 @item QStartNoAckMode
38632 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
38633 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
38636 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
38637 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
38638 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
38639 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
38640 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
38641 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
38642 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
38643 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
38644 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
38645 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
38646 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
38648 @item qXfer:osdata:read
38649 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
38650 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
38652 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
38653 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
38654 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
38655 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
38657 @item ConditionalTracepoints
38658 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
38659 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
38661 @item ReverseContinue
38662 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
38666 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
38669 @item TracepointSource
38670 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
38671 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
38674 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
38677 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
38679 @item QDisableRandomization
38680 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
38682 @item StaticTracepoint
38683 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
38684 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
38686 @item InstallInTrace
38687 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
38688 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
38690 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
38691 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
38692 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
38693 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
38695 @item QTBuffer:size
38696 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
38697 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
38700 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
38701 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
38702 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
38704 @item BreakpointCommands
38705 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
38706 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
38707 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
38710 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
38713 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
38718 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
38719 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
38720 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
38721 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
38726 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38727 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38728 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
38729 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
38730 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
38734 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
38735 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
38737 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
38738 target has previously requested.
38740 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
38741 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
38747 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38748 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38749 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
38750 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
38751 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
38756 @itemx QTDisconnected
38763 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
38765 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38767 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
38768 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
38769 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
38770 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
38771 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
38772 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
38773 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
38774 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
38775 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
38776 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
38777 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
38781 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38782 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
38783 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
38784 the thread's attributes.
38787 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
38788 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38789 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38808 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38810 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38811 @cindex read special object, remote request
38812 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
38813 @anchor{qXfer read}
38814 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
38815 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
38816 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
38817 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
38818 additional details about what data to access.
38820 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
38821 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38822 formats, listed below.
38825 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38826 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
38827 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
38828 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
38830 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38831 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38833 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38834 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
38836 Return a description of the current branch trace.
38837 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
38838 packet may have one of the following values:
38842 Returns all available branch trace.
38845 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
38846 the last read request.
38849 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
38850 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38852 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38853 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
38854 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
38855 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
38856 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
38858 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38859 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38861 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38862 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
38863 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
38864 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38865 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38867 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
38868 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
38869 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
38871 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38872 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38874 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38875 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
38876 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
38877 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
38878 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38880 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
38881 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
38883 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38884 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38886 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38887 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
38888 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
38889 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38890 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38892 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38893 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38895 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38896 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
38898 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
38899 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
38900 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
38903 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38904 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38905 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38907 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38908 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
38909 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
38910 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38911 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38913 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38914 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38915 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38917 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38918 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
38919 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38920 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
38921 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38922 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38923 in that context to be accessed.
38925 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38926 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38927 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38929 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38930 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
38931 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
38932 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38933 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38935 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38936 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38938 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38939 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
38941 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
38942 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
38943 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38945 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38946 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38948 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38949 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
38951 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
38952 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
38954 This packet is not probed by default.
38956 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38957 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
38958 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
38959 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
38960 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
38962 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38963 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38965 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38966 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
38967 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
38968 @xref{Operating System Information}.
38975 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
38976 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
38977 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
38978 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
38979 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
38983 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
38984 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
38985 than the @var{length} in the request.
38988 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
38989 There is no more data to be read.
38992 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38995 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
38996 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38999 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
39000 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
39003 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39004 @cindex write data into object, remote request
39005 @anchor{qXfer write}
39006 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
39007 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
39008 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
39009 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
39010 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
39013 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
39014 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39015 formats, listed below.
39018 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39019 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
39020 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
39021 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39022 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
39024 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39025 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39026 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39028 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39029 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
39030 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39031 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
39032 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39033 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39034 in that context to be accessed.
39036 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39037 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39043 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
39044 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
39047 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39050 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
39051 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39054 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
39055 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
39058 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
39059 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
39060 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
39061 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
39062 must respond with an empty packet.
39064 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
39065 @cindex query attached, remote request
39066 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
39067 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
39068 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
39069 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
39070 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
39071 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
39072 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
39074 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
39075 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
39076 the @code{quit} command.
39081 The remote server attached to an existing process.
39083 The remote server created a new process.
39085 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39089 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
39094 Branch tracing has been enabled.
39096 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39100 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
39105 Branch tracing has been disabled.
39107 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39112 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39113 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39115 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
39116 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
39117 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
39120 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
39121 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
39124 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
39125 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
39128 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
39131 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
39132 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
39133 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
39135 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39140 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
39143 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
39146 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
39150 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
39151 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
39154 * MIPS Register packet Format::
39155 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
39158 @node MIPS Register packet Format
39159 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
39160 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
39162 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
39163 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
39164 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
39165 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
39166 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
39167 most-significant -- least-significant.
39172 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
39173 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
39174 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
39177 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
39178 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
39183 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
39184 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
39185 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
39187 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39192 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
39195 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39198 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
39201 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39205 @node Tracepoint Packets
39206 @section Tracepoint Packets
39207 @cindex tracepoint packets
39208 @cindex packets, tracepoint
39210 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
39211 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
39215 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
39216 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
39217 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
39218 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
39219 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
39220 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
39221 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
39222 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
39223 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
39224 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
39225 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
39226 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
39227 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
39233 The packet was understood and carried out.
39235 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39237 The packet was not recognized.
39240 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
39241 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
39242 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
39243 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
39244 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
39245 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
39246 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
39248 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
39249 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
39250 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
39251 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
39252 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
39253 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
39254 tracepoint actions.
39256 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
39257 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
39263 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
39264 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
39265 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
39266 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
39267 not fit in a 32-bit word.
39269 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
39270 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
39271 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
39272 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
39273 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
39274 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
39275 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
39277 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
39278 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
39279 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
39280 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
39281 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
39282 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
39287 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
39288 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
39289 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
39290 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
39291 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
39292 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
39293 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
39294 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
39299 The packet was understood and carried out.
39301 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39303 The packet was not recognized.
39306 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
39307 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
39308 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
39309 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
39310 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
39311 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
39312 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
39313 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
39315 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
39316 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
39317 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
39318 fit in a single packet.
39319 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
39320 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
39322 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
39323 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
39324 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
39325 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
39327 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
39328 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
39331 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
39332 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
39333 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
39334 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
39335 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
39336 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
39337 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
39340 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
39341 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
39342 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
39343 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
39344 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
39345 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
39346 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
39347 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
39348 mentioned in expressions.
39350 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
39351 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
39352 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
39353 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
39354 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
39356 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
39357 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
39358 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
39359 one of the following forms:
39363 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
39364 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
39365 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
39368 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
39369 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
39373 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
39374 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39375 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
39376 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
39378 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
39379 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39380 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
39381 is a hexadecimal number.
39383 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
39384 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39385 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
39386 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
39389 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
39390 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
39391 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
39394 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
39395 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
39396 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
39397 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
39398 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
39399 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
39400 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
39407 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
39409 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
39410 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
39411 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
39413 An error has occurred.
39415 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
39419 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
39420 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
39421 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
39422 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39423 instruction reply packet}).
39426 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
39427 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
39429 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39431 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
39432 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39433 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
39434 of data from it will resume.
39436 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39438 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
39439 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39440 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
39441 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
39444 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
39445 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
39447 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
39448 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
39449 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
39450 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
39451 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
39453 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
39454 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
39455 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
39456 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
39458 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
39459 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
39460 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
39461 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
39462 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
39463 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
39466 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
39467 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
39469 The reply has the form:
39473 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
39474 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
39475 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
39476 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
39480 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
39481 explanations as one of the optional fields:
39486 No trace has been run yet.
39488 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
39489 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
39490 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
39491 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
39492 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
39495 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
39497 @item tdisconnected:0
39498 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
39500 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
39501 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
39503 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
39504 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
39505 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
39506 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
39507 @var{text} is hex encoded.
39510 The trace stopped for some other reason.
39514 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
39515 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
39516 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
39517 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
39522 @item tframes:@var{n}
39523 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
39525 @item tcreated:@var{n}
39526 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
39527 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
39529 @item tsize:@var{n}
39530 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
39532 @item tfree:@var{n}
39533 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
39535 @item circular:@var{n}
39536 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
39537 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
39538 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
39541 @item disconn:@var{n}
39542 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
39543 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
39544 that the trace run will stop.
39548 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
39549 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
39550 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
39551 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
39552 address @var{addr}.
39556 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
39557 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
39558 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
39559 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
39560 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
39564 @item qTV:@var{var}
39565 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
39566 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
39567 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
39572 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
39573 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
39574 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
39575 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
39576 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
39577 program is running.
39580 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
39581 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
39586 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
39588 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
39589 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
39590 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
39591 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
39592 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
39593 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
39596 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
39598 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
39599 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
39600 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
39601 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
39602 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
39603 trace state variables.
39609 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
39610 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
39611 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
39612 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
39613 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
39614 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
39618 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
39620 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
39621 a comma-separated list of markers
39623 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39625 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
39627 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
39631 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
39632 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
39634 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39635 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
39636 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
39637 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
39640 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
39642 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
39643 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
39644 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
39645 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
39646 tracepoint markers.
39648 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
39649 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
39650 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
39651 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
39652 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
39653 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
39655 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
39656 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
39657 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
39658 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
39659 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
39660 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
39661 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
39662 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
39665 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
39666 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
39667 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
39669 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
39670 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
39671 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
39672 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
39673 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
39674 use whatever size it prefers.
39676 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
39677 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
39678 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
39679 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
39680 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
39684 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
39685 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
39686 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
39687 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
39688 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
39689 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
39690 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
39691 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
39692 it had executed in the original location.
39694 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
39695 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
39696 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
39697 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
39698 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
39699 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
39700 format of the request is:
39703 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
39705 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
39706 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
39707 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
39708 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
39709 memory starting at @var{to}.
39714 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
39715 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
39716 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
39718 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
39719 relocating the instruction.
39722 @node Host I/O Packets
39723 @section Host I/O Packets
39724 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
39725 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
39727 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
39728 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
39729 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
39730 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
39731 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
39732 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
39733 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
39734 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
39735 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
39736 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
39738 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
39739 its arguments. They have this format:
39743 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
39744 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
39745 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
39746 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
39747 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
39748 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
39749 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
39750 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
39751 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
39755 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
39759 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
39760 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
39761 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
39762 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
39763 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
39764 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
39765 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
39766 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
39767 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
39771 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
39775 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
39778 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
39779 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
39780 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
39781 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
39782 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
39783 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
39784 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
39786 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
39787 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
39788 -1 if an error occurs.
39790 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
39791 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
39792 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
39793 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
39794 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
39795 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
39796 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
39797 @var{count} was zero.
39799 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
39800 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
39801 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
39802 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
39803 some characters were escaped.
39805 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
39806 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
39807 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
39808 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
39809 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
39810 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
39811 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
39814 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
39815 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
39816 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
39818 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
39819 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
39820 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
39822 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
39823 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
39824 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
39825 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
39826 some characters were escaped.
39831 @section Interrupts
39832 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
39834 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
39835 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
39836 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
39837 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
39839 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
39840 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
39841 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
39842 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
39843 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
39845 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
39846 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
39847 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
39848 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
39849 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
39850 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
39851 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
39852 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
39854 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
39855 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
39856 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
39858 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
39859 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
39860 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
39861 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
39862 currently-executing threads and processes.
39863 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
39864 running program, it should send one of the stop
39865 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
39866 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
39867 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
39868 Interrupts received while the
39869 program is stopped are discarded.
39871 @node Notification Packets
39872 @section Notification Packets
39873 @cindex notification packets
39874 @cindex packets, notification
39876 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
39877 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
39878 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
39879 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
39880 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
39881 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
39884 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
39885 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
39886 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
39887 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
39888 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
39889 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
39890 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
39892 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
39893 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
39895 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
39896 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
39897 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
39898 not they understand it.
39900 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
39901 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
39902 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
39903 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
39906 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
39907 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
39908 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
39909 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
39910 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
39912 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
39914 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
39915 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
39916 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
39917 carrying the specific information about the notification.
39918 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
39920 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
39921 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
39924 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
39925 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
39927 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
39928 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
39929 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
39930 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
39931 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
39932 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
39933 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
39934 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
39935 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
39936 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
39938 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
39939 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
39940 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
39941 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
39942 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
39943 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
39945 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
39946 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
39947 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
39948 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
39949 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
39951 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
39952 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
39953 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
39954 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
39955 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
39958 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
39959 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
39960 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
39961 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
39962 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
39963 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
39964 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
39965 the process shall be repeated.
39967 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
39970 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
39973 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
39975 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
39980 The following notifications are defined:
39981 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
39990 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
39991 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
39992 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
39994 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
39998 @node Remote Non-Stop
39999 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
40001 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
40002 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
40003 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
40004 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40006 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
40007 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
40008 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
40009 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
40010 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
40011 probe the target state after a mode change.
40013 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
40014 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
40015 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
40016 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
40017 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
40018 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
40019 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
40020 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
40021 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
40022 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
40023 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
40025 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
40026 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
40027 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
40028 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
40029 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
40030 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
40031 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
40032 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
40033 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
40034 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
40035 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
40038 @node Packet Acknowledgment
40039 @section Packet Acknowledgment
40041 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40042 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40043 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
40044 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
40045 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
40046 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
40047 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
40049 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
40050 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
40051 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
40052 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
40053 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
40055 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
40056 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
40057 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
40058 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
40060 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
40061 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
40062 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
40063 @pxref{qSupported}.
40064 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
40065 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
40066 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
40067 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
40068 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
40069 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
40070 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
40072 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
40073 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
40074 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
40076 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
40077 new connection is established,
40078 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
40079 for the current connection, once disabled.
40084 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
40085 does not get any direct output:
40090 @emph{target restarts}
40093 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40097 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
40100 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
40105 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40109 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
40113 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40114 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40115 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
40118 * File-I/O Overview::
40119 * Protocol Basics::
40120 * The F Request Packet::
40121 * The F Reply Packet::
40122 * The Ctrl-C Message::
40124 * List of Supported Calls::
40125 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
40127 * File-I/O Examples::
40130 @node File-I/O Overview
40131 @subsection File-I/O Overview
40132 @cindex file-i/o overview
40134 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
40135 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
40136 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
40137 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
40138 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
40139 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
40141 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
40142 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
40143 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
40144 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
40145 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
40147 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
40148 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
40149 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
40150 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
40151 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
40152 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
40153 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
40155 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
40156 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
40157 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
40158 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
40159 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
40162 (@value{GDBP}) continue
40163 <- target requests 'system call X'
40164 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
40165 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
40166 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
40167 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
40170 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
40171 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
40172 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
40173 system are not supported by this protocol.
40175 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
40177 @node Protocol Basics
40178 @subsection Protocol Basics
40179 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
40181 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
40182 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
40183 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
40184 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
40185 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
40186 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
40187 to call the appropriate host system call:
40191 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
40194 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
40195 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
40196 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
40197 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
40201 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
40205 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
40206 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
40207 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
40208 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
40212 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
40213 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
40216 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
40219 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
40222 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
40223 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
40224 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
40225 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
40230 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
40231 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
40238 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
40245 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
40246 the latest continue or step action.
40248 @node The F Request Packet
40249 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
40250 @cindex file-i/o request packet
40251 @cindex @code{F} request packet
40253 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
40256 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
40258 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
40259 This is just the name of the function.
40261 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
40262 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
40263 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
40264 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
40265 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
40266 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
40267 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
40273 @node The F Reply Packet
40274 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
40275 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
40276 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
40278 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
40282 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
40284 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
40286 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
40288 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
40290 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
40291 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
40292 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
40299 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
40306 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
40311 @node The Ctrl-C Message
40312 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
40313 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
40315 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
40316 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
40317 the target should behave as if it had
40318 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
40319 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
40320 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
40323 It's important for the target to know in which
40324 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
40328 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
40331 The system call on the host has been finished.
40335 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
40336 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
40337 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
40338 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
40339 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
40340 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
40342 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
40343 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
40344 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
40345 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
40346 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
40347 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
40348 or the full action has been completed.
40351 @subsection Console I/O
40352 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
40354 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
40355 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
40356 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
40357 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
40358 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
40359 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
40364 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
40366 system call is treated as finished.
40369 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
40373 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
40374 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
40378 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
40379 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
40380 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
40381 is stopped at the user's request.
40384 @node List of Supported Calls
40385 @subsection List of Supported Calls
40386 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
40403 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
40404 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
40409 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
40410 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
40414 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
40417 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40421 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
40422 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
40426 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
40427 an error and open() fails.
40430 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
40431 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
40432 truncated to zero length.
40435 The file is opened in append mode.
40438 The file is opened for reading only.
40441 The file is opened for writing only.
40444 The file is opened for reading and writing.
40448 Other bits are silently ignored.
40452 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40456 User has read permission.
40459 User has write permission.
40462 Group has read permission.
40465 Group has write permission.
40468 Others have read permission.
40471 Others have write permission.
40475 Other bits are silently ignored.
40478 @item Return value:
40479 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
40486 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
40489 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
40492 The requested access is not allowed.
40495 @var{pathname} was too long.
40498 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40501 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
40504 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
40505 write access was requested.
40508 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
40511 No space on device to create the file.
40514 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
40517 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
40521 The call was interrupted by the user.
40527 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
40528 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
40537 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
40539 @item Return value:
40540 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
40546 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
40549 The call was interrupted by the user.
40555 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
40556 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
40561 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
40565 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40567 @item Return value:
40568 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
40569 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
40570 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
40576 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40580 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40583 The call was interrupted by the user.
40589 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
40590 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
40595 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
40599 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40601 @item Return value:
40602 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
40603 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
40610 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40614 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40617 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
40618 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
40621 No space on device to write the data.
40624 The call was interrupted by the user.
40630 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
40631 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
40636 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
40640 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
40642 @var{flag} is one of:
40646 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
40649 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
40653 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
40657 @item Return value:
40658 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
40659 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
40660 value of -1 is returned.
40666 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
40669 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
40672 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
40675 The call was interrupted by the user.
40681 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
40682 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
40687 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
40691 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
40693 @item Return value:
40694 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40700 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
40704 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
40707 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
40711 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
40715 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
40716 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
40717 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
40720 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
40723 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40727 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
40730 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
40733 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40736 The device containing the file has no room for the new
40740 The call was interrupted by the user.
40746 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
40747 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
40752 int unlink(const char *pathname);
40756 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
40758 @item Return value:
40759 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40765 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40768 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
40771 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
40772 being used by another process.
40775 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40778 @var{pathname} was too long.
40781 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40784 A component of the path is not a directory.
40787 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40790 The call was interrupted by the user.
40796 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
40797 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
40798 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
40803 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
40804 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
40808 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
40809 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
40811 @item Return value:
40812 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40818 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
40821 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
40822 path is an empty string.
40825 A component of the path is not a directory.
40828 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40831 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40834 @var{pathname} was too long.
40837 The call was interrupted by the user.
40843 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
40844 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
40849 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
40853 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
40855 @item Return value:
40856 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
40862 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
40865 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40871 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
40872 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
40877 int isatty(int fd);
40881 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
40883 @item Return value:
40884 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
40890 The call was interrupted by the user.
40895 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
40896 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
40897 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
40898 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
40903 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
40904 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
40909 int system(const char *command);
40913 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
40915 @item Return value:
40916 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
40917 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
40918 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
40919 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
40920 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
40921 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
40922 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
40928 The call was interrupted by the user.
40933 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
40934 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
40935 the host is simplified before it's returned
40936 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
40937 is discarded, and the return value consists
40938 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
40940 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
40941 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
40942 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
40945 @item set remote system-call-allowed
40946 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
40947 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
40948 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
40950 @item show remote system-call-allowed
40951 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
40952 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
40956 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40957 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40958 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40961 * Integral Datatypes::
40963 * Memory Transfer::
40968 @node Integral Datatypes
40969 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
40970 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40972 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
40973 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
40974 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
40976 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
40977 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
40979 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
40981 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
40982 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
40984 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
40986 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
40987 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
40990 @node Pointer Values
40991 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
40992 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
40994 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
40995 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
40996 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
40997 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
41004 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
41005 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
41006 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
41007 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
41013 @node Memory Transfer
41014 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
41015 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
41017 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
41018 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
41019 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
41020 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
41021 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
41022 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
41023 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
41027 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
41028 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
41030 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
41031 is defined as follows:
41035 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
41036 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
41037 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
41038 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
41039 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
41040 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
41041 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
41042 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
41043 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
41044 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
41045 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
41046 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
41047 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
41051 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41052 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41053 structure is of size 64 bytes.
41055 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
41061 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
41064 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41067 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
41068 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
41073 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41078 These values have a host and file system dependent
41079 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
41080 support exact timing values.
41083 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
41084 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
41087 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
41088 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
41089 get truncated on the target.
41091 @node struct timeval
41092 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
41093 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
41095 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
41096 is defined as follows:
41100 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
41101 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
41105 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41106 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41107 structure is of size 8 bytes.
41110 @subsection Constants
41111 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
41113 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
41114 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
41115 values before and after the call as needed.
41126 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
41127 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
41129 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
41141 @node mode_t Values
41142 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
41143 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
41145 All values are given in octal representation.
41162 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
41163 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
41165 All values are given in decimal representation.
41190 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
41191 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
41194 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
41195 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
41204 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
41205 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
41207 All values are given in decimal representation.
41210 INT_MIN -2147483648
41212 UINT_MAX 4294967295
41213 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
41214 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
41215 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
41218 @node File-I/O Examples
41219 @subsection File-I/O Examples
41220 @cindex file-i/o examples
41222 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41223 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
41226 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
41227 @emph{request memory read from target}
41230 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
41234 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41235 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
41238 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41239 @emph{request memory write to target}
41240 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41241 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
41245 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
41246 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
41249 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41253 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
41257 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41262 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
41266 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41267 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41271 @node Library List Format
41272 @section Library List Format
41273 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41275 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
41276 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
41277 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
41278 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
41279 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
41280 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
41281 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
41282 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
41283 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
41286 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
41287 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
41288 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
41289 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
41291 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
41292 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
41293 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
41294 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
41295 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
41296 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
41298 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41299 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41301 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
41302 offset, looks like this:
41306 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
41307 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
41312 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
41313 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
41317 <library name="sharedlib.o">
41318 <section address="0x10000000"/>
41319 <section address="0x20000000"/>
41320 <section address="0x30000000"/>
41325 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
41328 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
41329 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
41330 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41331 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
41332 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41333 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
41334 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41335 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
41336 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41339 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
41340 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
41341 section for each library.
41343 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41344 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41345 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41347 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
41348 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
41349 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
41350 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
41352 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
41353 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
41354 target, the following parameters are reported:
41358 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
41359 @code{struct link_map}.
41361 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
41362 (Thread Local Storage) access.
41364 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
41365 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
41366 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
41367 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
41369 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
41372 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
41373 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
41374 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
41376 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41377 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41379 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
41383 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
41384 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
41386 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
41388 </library-list-svr>
41391 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
41394 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
41395 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
41396 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41397 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
41398 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
41399 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41400 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
41401 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
41402 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
41405 @node Memory Map Format
41406 @section Memory Map Format
41407 @cindex memory map format
41409 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
41410 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
41413 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
41414 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
41415 lists memory regions.
41417 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41418 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
41420 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41423 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41424 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
41425 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41426 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
41432 Each region can be either:
41437 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
41441 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41446 A region of read-only memory:
41449 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41454 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
41458 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
41459 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
41465 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
41466 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
41467 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
41469 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
41472 <!-- ................................................... -->
41473 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
41474 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
41475 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
41476 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
41477 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
41478 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
41479 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
41480 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
41481 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
41482 and its type, or device. -->
41483 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
41484 start CDATA #REQUIRED
41485 length CDATA #REQUIRED
41486 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
41487 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
41488 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
41489 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41492 @node Thread List Format
41493 @section Thread List Format
41494 @cindex thread list format
41496 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
41497 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
41498 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
41499 the following structure:
41502 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41504 <thread id="id" core="0">
41505 ... description ...
41510 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
41511 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
41512 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
41513 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
41514 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
41516 @node Traceframe Info Format
41517 @section Traceframe Info Format
41518 @cindex traceframe info format
41520 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
41521 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
41522 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
41523 collected in a traceframe.
41525 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
41526 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
41528 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41529 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41531 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41534 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41535 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
41536 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41537 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
41543 Each traceframe block can be either:
41548 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
41549 @var{length} bytes from there:
41552 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41557 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
41560 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
41561 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41563 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
41564 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
41565 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41568 @node Branch Trace Format
41569 @section Branch Trace Format
41570 @cindex branch trace format
41572 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
41573 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
41574 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
41575 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
41577 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
41578 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
41580 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41581 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41583 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41586 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41588 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
41589 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
41598 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
41599 and ending at @var{end}:
41602 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
41607 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
41610 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
41611 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41613 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
41614 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
41615 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
41618 @include agentexpr.texi
41620 @node Target Descriptions
41621 @appendix Target Descriptions
41622 @cindex target descriptions
41624 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
41625 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
41626 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
41627 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
41628 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
41629 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
41630 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
41634 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
41635 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
41637 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
41638 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
41639 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
41641 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
41642 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
41643 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
41646 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
41647 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
41648 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
41649 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
41650 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
41652 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41653 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
41656 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
41657 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
41658 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
41660 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
41663 @node Retrieving Descriptions
41664 @section Retrieving Descriptions
41666 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
41667 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
41668 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
41669 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
41670 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
41671 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
41672 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
41675 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
41676 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
41677 specify a file are:
41680 @cindex set tdesc filename
41681 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
41682 Read the target description from @var{path}.
41684 @cindex unset tdesc filename
41685 @item unset tdesc filename
41686 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
41687 will use the description supplied by the current target.
41689 @cindex show tdesc filename
41690 @item show tdesc filename
41691 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
41695 @node Target Description Format
41696 @section Target Description Format
41697 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
41699 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
41700 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
41701 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
41702 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
41703 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
41704 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
41705 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
41707 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
41708 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
41709 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
41710 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
41711 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
41713 Here is a simple target description:
41716 <target version="1.0">
41717 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
41722 This minimal description only says that the target uses
41723 the x86-64 architecture.
41725 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
41726 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
41727 are explained further below.
41730 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41731 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
41732 <target version="1.0">
41733 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
41734 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
41735 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
41736 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
41741 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
41742 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
41743 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
41744 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
41745 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
41746 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
41747 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
41748 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
41749 the version mismatch.
41751 @subsection Inclusion
41752 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
41755 @cindex <xi:include>
41758 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
41759 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
41760 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
41761 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
41762 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
41765 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
41769 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
41770 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
41771 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
41772 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
41773 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
41774 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
41775 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
41776 original description.
41778 @subsection Architecture
41779 @cindex <architecture>
41781 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
41784 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
41787 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
41788 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
41791 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
41793 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
41794 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
41796 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
41799 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
41802 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
41803 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
41805 @subsection Compatible Architecture
41806 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
41808 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
41809 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
41811 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
41814 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
41817 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
41818 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
41820 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
41821 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
41822 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
41823 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
41824 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
41825 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
41826 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
41829 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
41830 <compatible>spu</compatible>
41833 @subsection Features
41836 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
41837 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
41838 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
41842 <feature name="@var{name}">
41843 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
41849 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
41850 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
41851 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
41852 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
41856 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
41857 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
41858 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
41859 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
41860 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
41862 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
41863 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
41864 Types must be defined before they are used.
41867 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
41868 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
41869 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
41873 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
41877 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
41878 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
41879 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
41880 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
41883 <union id="@var{id}">
41884 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41890 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
41891 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
41892 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
41893 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
41894 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
41895 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
41896 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
41897 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
41900 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41901 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
41906 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
41907 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
41910 <struct id="@var{id}">
41911 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41917 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
41918 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
41919 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
41920 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
41924 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41925 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
41930 @subsection Registers
41933 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
41936 <reg name="@var{name}"
41937 bitsize="@var{size}"
41938 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
41939 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
41940 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
41941 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
41945 The components are as follows:
41950 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
41953 The register's size, in bits.
41956 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
41957 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
41958 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
41959 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
41960 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
41961 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
41962 in order of increasing register number.
41965 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
41966 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
41967 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
41968 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
41972 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
41973 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
41974 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
41975 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
41976 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
41977 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
41980 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
41981 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
41982 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
41983 in @code{info registers}.
41987 @node Predefined Target Types
41988 @section Predefined Target Types
41989 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
41991 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
41992 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
41993 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
41994 types. The currently supported types are:
42003 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42010 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42014 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
42015 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
42016 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
42017 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
42018 may be marked as data pointers.
42021 Single precision IEEE floating point.
42024 Double precision IEEE floating point.
42027 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
42030 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
42033 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
42036 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
42040 @node Standard Target Features
42041 @section Standard Target Features
42042 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
42044 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
42045 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
42046 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
42047 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
42048 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
42049 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
42050 can recognize them.
42052 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
42053 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
42054 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
42055 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
42056 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
42057 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
42058 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
42059 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
42061 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
42062 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
42063 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
42065 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
42066 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
42067 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
42068 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
42070 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
42071 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
42072 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
42075 * AArch64 Features::
42080 * Nios II Features::
42081 * PowerPC Features::
42086 @node AArch64 Features
42087 @subsection AArch64 Features
42088 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
42090 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
42091 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
42092 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42094 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42095 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
42099 @subsection ARM Features
42100 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
42102 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
42104 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
42105 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42107 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
42108 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
42109 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
42112 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
42113 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
42115 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
42116 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
42117 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
42118 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
42120 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
42121 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
42122 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
42123 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
42124 halves of the double-precision registers.
42126 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
42127 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
42128 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
42129 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
42130 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
42131 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
42133 @node i386 Features
42134 @subsection i386 Features
42135 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
42137 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
42138 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42142 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
42144 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
42146 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
42147 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
42149 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
42151 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
42152 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
42155 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
42157 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
42158 describe registers:
42162 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
42164 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
42169 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
42170 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
42171 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
42175 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
42177 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
42180 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
42181 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
42183 @node MIPS Features
42184 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
42185 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
42187 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
42188 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
42189 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
42192 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
42193 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
42194 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42196 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
42197 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
42198 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
42199 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42201 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
42202 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
42203 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
42204 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42206 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
42207 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
42208 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
42210 @node M68K Features
42211 @subsection M68K Features
42212 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
42215 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
42216 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
42217 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
42218 One of those features must be always present.
42219 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
42220 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
42221 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
42222 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
42224 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
42225 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
42226 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
42230 @node Nios II Features
42231 @subsection Nios II Features
42232 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
42234 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
42235 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
42236 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
42237 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
42240 @node PowerPC Features
42241 @subsection PowerPC Features
42242 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
42244 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
42245 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42246 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
42247 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42249 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
42250 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
42252 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
42253 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
42256 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
42257 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
42258 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
42259 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
42260 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
42261 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
42263 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
42264 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
42265 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
42266 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
42267 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
42268 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
42271 @node TIC6x Features
42272 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
42273 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
42274 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
42275 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
42276 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
42277 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
42279 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
42280 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
42281 through @samp{B31}.
42283 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
42284 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
42286 @node Operating System Information
42287 @appendix Operating System Information
42288 @cindex operating system information
42294 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
42295 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
42296 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
42297 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
42298 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
42299 on a different aspect of target.
42301 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
42302 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
42303 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
42304 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
42307 @appendixsection Process list
42308 @cindex operating system information, process list
42310 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
42311 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
42312 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
42313 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
42315 An example document is:
42318 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42319 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
42320 <osdata type="processes">
42322 <column name="pid">1</column>
42323 <column name="user">root</column>
42324 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
42325 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
42330 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
42331 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
42332 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
42333 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
42334 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
42335 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
42336 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
42338 @node Trace File Format
42339 @appendix Trace File Format
42340 @cindex trace file format
42342 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
42343 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
42345 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
42346 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
42347 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
42350 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
42351 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
42352 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
42353 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
42354 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
42357 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
42359 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
42360 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
42361 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
42362 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
42363 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
42364 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
42365 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
42368 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
42371 @item R @var{bytes}
42372 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
42373 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
42374 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
42375 hexadecimal encoding.
42377 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
42378 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
42379 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
42380 @var{length} bytes.
42382 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
42383 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
42384 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
42388 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
42391 @node Index Section Format
42392 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
42393 @cindex .gdb_index section format
42394 @cindex index section format
42396 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
42397 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
42398 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
42401 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
42402 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
42403 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
42404 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
42405 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
42406 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
42408 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
42412 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
42413 unless otherwise noted:
42417 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
42418 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
42419 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
42420 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
42421 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
42422 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
42423 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
42425 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
42426 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
42427 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
42428 currently not flagged as deprecated.
42431 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
42434 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
42435 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
42436 to the next offset.
42439 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
42442 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
42445 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
42449 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
42450 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
42451 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
42452 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
42453 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
42454 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
42455 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
42459 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
42460 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
42461 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
42462 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
42465 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
42466 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
42470 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
42473 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
42474 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
42477 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
42481 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
42482 the hash table is always a power of 2.
42484 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
42485 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
42486 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
42489 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
42490 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
42491 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
42493 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
42494 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
42495 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
42496 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
42501 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
42503 @item Versions 5 to 7
42504 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
42507 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
42509 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
42510 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
42511 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
42512 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
42515 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
42516 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
42517 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
42521 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
42522 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
42525 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
42526 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
42527 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
42528 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
42529 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
42530 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
42532 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
42535 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
42536 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
42537 CU index+attributes value for each use.
42539 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
42545 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
42547 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
42549 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
42553 This value is reserved and should not be used.
42554 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
42555 with previous versions of the index.
42557 The symbol is a type.
42559 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
42561 The symbol is a function.
42563 Any other kind of symbol.
42565 These values are reserved.
42569 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
42571 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
42572 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
42573 @value{GDBN} sources.
42577 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
42578 global/static attributes in the index.
42581 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
42582 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
42585 case DW_TAG_typedef:
42586 case DW_TAG_base_type:
42587 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
42591 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
42593 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
42595 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
42597 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
42599 case DW_TAG_constant:
42601 is_static = ! is_external;
42603 case DW_TAG_variable:
42605 is_static = ! is_external;
42607 case DW_TAG_namespace:
42611 case DW_TAG_class_type:
42612 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
42613 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
42614 case DW_TAG_union_type:
42615 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
42617 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
42625 @appendix Manual pages
42629 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
42630 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
42631 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
42632 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
42638 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
42640 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
42641 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
42642 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
42643 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
42644 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
42645 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
42646 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
42647 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
42648 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
42651 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
42652 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
42653 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
42654 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
42656 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
42657 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
42661 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
42664 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
42667 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
42670 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
42671 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
42674 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
42677 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
42678 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
42679 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
42680 by using the command @code{help}.
42682 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
42683 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
42684 executable program as the argument:
42690 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
42696 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
42697 to debug a running process:
42705 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
42706 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
42707 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
42709 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
42711 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
42713 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
42714 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
42716 @item run [@var{arglist}]
42717 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
42720 Backtrace: display the program stack.
42722 @item print @var{expr}
42723 Display the value of an expression.
42726 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
42729 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
42730 function calls in the line.
42732 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
42733 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
42735 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
42736 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
42739 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
42740 function calls in the line.
42742 @item help [@var{name}]
42743 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
42744 about using @value{GDBN}.
42747 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
42751 For full details on @value{GDBN},
42752 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42753 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
42754 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
42758 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
42759 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
42760 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
42761 encountered with no
42762 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
42763 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
42765 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
42766 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
42767 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
42768 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
42769 more usual convention.)
42771 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
42772 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
42778 List all options, with brief explanations.
42780 @item -symbols=@var{file}
42781 @itemx -s @var{file}
42782 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
42785 Enable writing into executable and core files.
42787 @item -exec=@var{file}
42788 @itemx -e @var{file}
42789 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
42790 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
42793 @item -se=@var{file}
42794 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
42797 @item -core=@var{file}
42798 @itemx -c @var{file}
42799 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
42801 @item -command=@var{file}
42802 @itemx -x @var{file}
42803 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
42805 @item -ex @var{command}
42806 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
42808 @item -directory=@var{directory}
42809 @itemx -d @var{directory}
42810 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
42813 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
42817 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
42821 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
42822 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
42825 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
42826 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
42827 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
42828 commands in the command files.
42830 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
42831 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
42832 more useful, the message
42835 Program exited normally.
42839 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
42840 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
42842 @item -cd=@var{directory}
42843 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
42844 instead of the current directory.
42848 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
42849 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
42850 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
42851 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
42852 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
42853 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
42854 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
42855 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
42858 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
42859 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
42861 @item -tty=@var{device}
42862 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
42866 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
42868 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42869 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42870 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42877 should give you access to the complete manual.
42879 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42880 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42884 @node gdbserver man
42885 @heading gdbserver man
42887 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
42889 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
42890 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42892 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42894 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42898 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
42899 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
42900 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
42903 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
42906 Usage (server (target) side):
42909 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
42910 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
42911 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
42912 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
42914 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
42915 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
42916 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
42919 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
42922 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
42926 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
42927 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
42930 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
42934 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
42935 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
42936 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
42938 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
42941 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
42944 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
42945 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
42946 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
42947 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
42948 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
42949 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
42950 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
42951 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
42952 print an error message and exit.
42954 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
42955 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
42958 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42961 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42962 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42964 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42965 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
42966 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
42967 the program you want to debug.
42970 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42974 @subheading Usage (host side)
42980 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
42981 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
42982 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
42983 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
42984 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
42985 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
42986 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
42987 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
42988 descriptor. For example:
42992 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
42993 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
42996 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
43001 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
43004 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
43008 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
43009 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
43010 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
43011 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
43012 `Connection refused'.
43014 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
43017 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
43018 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
43021 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
43023 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
43026 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
43029 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
43033 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
43034 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
43039 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
43042 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43045 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
43046 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
43047 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
43048 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
43049 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
43050 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
43051 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43054 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
43058 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43061 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
43062 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
43063 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
43064 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43067 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
43070 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43073 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
43074 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
43075 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
43076 debug several processes in the same session.
43079 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
43084 List all options, with brief explanations.
43087 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
43090 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
43093 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43096 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43097 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43100 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43101 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
43102 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
43103 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
43106 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43110 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
43112 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43115 @item --remote-debug
43116 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
43117 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43121 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
43122 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
43123 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
43124 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
43127 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
43128 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
43129 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
43130 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
43132 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
43134 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
43135 @c QDisableRandomization.
43140 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
43142 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43143 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43144 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43150 should give you access to the complete manual.
43152 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43153 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43160 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
43163 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
43164 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
43168 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
43169 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
43170 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
43171 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
43172 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
43173 running without any change.
43176 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
43178 @item -o @var{filename}
43179 The optional argument
43180 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
43181 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
43182 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
43186 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
43188 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43189 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43190 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43197 should give you access to the complete manual.
43199 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43200 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43207 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
43210 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
43211 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43212 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43221 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
43222 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
43223 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
43226 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
43227 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
43233 Please read more in
43235 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
43236 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
43243 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43244 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43246 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43247 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
43249 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43250 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
43253 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
43254 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
43257 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
43261 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43262 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
43265 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
43266 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
43269 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
43270 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
43273 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
43278 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
43280 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
43282 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43283 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43284 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43290 should give you access to the complete manual.
43292 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43293 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43299 @node GNU Free Documentation License
43300 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
43303 @node Concept Index
43304 @unnumbered Concept Index
43308 @node Command and Variable Index
43309 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
43314 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
43316 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
43317 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
43318 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
43319 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
43320 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
43321 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
43322 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
43323 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
43324 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
43326 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.