1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
25 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
26 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
31 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
34 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
37 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
40 @c manuals to an info tree.
41 @dircategory Software development
43 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
47 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
50 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
51 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
52 Version @value{GDBVN}.
54 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,@*
55 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006@*
56 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
58 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
59 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
60 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
61 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
62 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
63 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
65 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
66 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
67 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
72 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
73 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
75 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
76 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
80 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
81 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
82 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
86 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
87 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
88 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
89 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
91 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
92 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
93 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
96 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
97 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
98 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
99 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
100 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
101 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
103 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
104 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
105 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} Version
120 Copyright (C) 1988-2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
124 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
126 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
127 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
128 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
129 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
130 * Stack:: Examining the stack
131 * Source:: Examining source files
132 * Data:: Examining data
133 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
134 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
135 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
137 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
139 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
140 * Altering:: Altering execution
141 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
142 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
143 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
144 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
145 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
146 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
147 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
148 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
149 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
150 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
151 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
153 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
154 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
156 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
157 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
158 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
159 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
160 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
161 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
162 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
163 how you can copy and share GDB
164 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
173 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
175 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
176 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
177 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
179 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
180 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
184 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
187 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
190 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
193 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
194 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
197 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
198 For more information, see @ref{Supported languages,,Supported languages}.
199 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
202 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
203 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
206 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
207 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
208 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
212 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
213 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
216 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
217 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
220 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
221 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
225 @unnumberedsec Free software
227 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
228 General Public License
229 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
230 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
231 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
232 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
233 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
234 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
236 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
237 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
240 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
242 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
243 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
244 include with the free software. Many of our most important
245 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
246 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
247 when an important free software package does not come with a free
248 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
251 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
252 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
253 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
254 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
255 them from the free software world.
257 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
258 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
259 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
260 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
261 contract to make it non-free.
263 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
264 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
265 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
266 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
267 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
268 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
269 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
271 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
272 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
273 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
274 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
276 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
277 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
278 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
279 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
280 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
281 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
284 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
285 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
286 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
287 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
288 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
289 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
290 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
291 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
294 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
295 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
296 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
297 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
298 manual to replace it.
300 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
301 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
302 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
303 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
304 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
305 the free software community.
307 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
308 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
309 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
310 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
311 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
312 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
313 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
314 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
315 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
317 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
318 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
319 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
320 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
321 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
322 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
323 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
324 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
326 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
327 published by other publishers, at
328 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
331 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
333 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
334 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
335 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
336 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
337 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
338 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
339 blow-by-blow account.
341 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
344 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
345 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
346 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
349 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
350 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
352 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
353 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
354 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
355 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
356 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
357 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
358 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
359 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
360 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
362 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
363 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
365 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
366 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
367 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
368 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
369 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
371 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
372 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
373 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
375 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
376 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
378 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
380 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
381 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
383 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
384 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
385 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
386 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
387 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
388 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
389 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
390 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
391 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
392 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
393 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
394 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
395 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
396 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
397 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
398 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
400 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
402 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
405 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
406 about several machine instruction sets.
408 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
409 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
410 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
411 and RDI targets, respectively.
413 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
414 command-line editing and command history.
416 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
417 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
419 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
420 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
423 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
424 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
426 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
428 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
431 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
433 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
435 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
437 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
440 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
442 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
444 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
445 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
447 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
448 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
449 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
450 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
451 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
452 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
453 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
455 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
456 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
458 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
459 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
460 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
461 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
462 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
463 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
464 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
465 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
466 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
467 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
468 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
469 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
470 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
471 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
472 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
474 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
475 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
477 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
480 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
481 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
482 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
483 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
484 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
485 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
487 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
488 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
489 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
490 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
491 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
492 trad unwinders. The architecture specific changes, each involving a
493 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
494 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
495 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
496 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
497 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
501 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
503 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
504 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
505 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
508 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
509 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
512 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
513 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
515 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
516 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
517 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
518 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
519 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
520 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
521 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
522 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
523 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
532 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
536 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
538 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
541 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
545 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
548 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
549 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
550 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
551 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
552 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
554 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
557 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
562 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
563 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
564 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
565 that examples fit in this manual.
568 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
572 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
573 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
574 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
575 @code{break} command.
578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
579 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
583 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
584 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
585 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
588 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
589 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
597 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
598 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
599 context where it stops.
602 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
604 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
606 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
610 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
611 the next line of the current function.
615 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
620 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
621 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
622 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
623 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
627 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
629 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
633 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
634 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
635 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
636 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
637 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
638 stack frame for each active subroutine.
641 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
642 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
644 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
646 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
647 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
649 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
650 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
654 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
655 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
656 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
660 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
662 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
663 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
665 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
668 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
672 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
673 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
674 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
675 (@code{print}) to see their values.
678 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
679 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
680 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
681 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
685 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
686 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
687 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
693 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
695 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
698 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
699 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
706 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
707 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
711 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
721 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
722 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
723 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
724 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
725 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
729 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
731 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
736 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
737 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
738 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
739 example that caused trouble initially:
745 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
752 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
753 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
754 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
758 Program exited normally.
762 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
763 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
764 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
767 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
771 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
773 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
777 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
779 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
783 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
784 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
785 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
786 * Logging output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
790 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
792 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
793 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
795 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
796 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
798 The command-line options described here are designed
799 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
800 options may effectively be unavailable.
802 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
803 specifying an executable program:
806 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
810 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
814 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
817 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
818 to debug a running process:
821 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
825 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
826 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
828 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
829 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
830 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
831 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
832 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
834 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
835 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
838 gdb --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
840 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
841 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
843 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
844 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
851 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
852 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
862 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
863 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
865 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
866 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
867 @samp{-x} option is used.
871 * File Options:: Choosing files
872 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
873 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
877 @subsection Choosing files
879 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
880 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
881 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
882 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
883 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
884 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
885 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
886 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
887 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
888 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
889 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
890 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
891 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
893 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
894 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
895 argument and ignore it.
897 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
898 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
899 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
900 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
901 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
903 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
904 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
908 @item -symbols @var{file}
910 @cindex @code{--symbols}
912 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
914 @item -exec @var{file}
916 @cindex @code{--exec}
918 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
919 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
923 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
926 @item -core @var{file}
928 @cindex @code{--core}
930 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
932 @item -c @var{number}
933 @item -pid @var{number}
934 @itemx -p @var{number}
937 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
938 If there is no such process, @value{GDBN} will attempt to open a core
939 file named @var{number}.
941 @item -command @var{file}
943 @cindex @code{--command}
945 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
946 Files,, Command files}.
948 @item -eval-command @var{command}
949 @itemx -ex @var{command}
950 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
952 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
954 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
955 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
958 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
959 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
962 @item -directory @var{directory}
963 @itemx -d @var{directory}
964 @cindex @code{--directory}
966 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
970 @cindex @code{--readnow}
972 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
973 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
974 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
979 @subsection Choosing modes
981 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
982 batch mode or quiet mode.
989 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
990 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
991 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
997 @cindex @code{--quiet}
998 @cindex @code{--silent}
1000 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1001 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1004 @cindex @code{--batch}
1005 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1006 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1007 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1008 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1009 in the command files.
1011 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1012 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1013 make this more useful, the message
1016 Program exited normally.
1020 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1021 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1025 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1026 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1027 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1028 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1029 for an interactive session.
1031 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1032 messages, for example.
1034 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1035 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1037 @item -return-child-result
1038 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1039 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1040 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1044 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1045 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1046 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1048 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1050 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1051 the exit code will be -1.
1054 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1055 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1060 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1062 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1063 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1064 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1068 @cindex @code{--windows}
1070 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1073 @item -cd @var{directory}
1075 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1076 instead of the current directory.
1080 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1082 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1083 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1084 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1085 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1086 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1087 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1088 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1089 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1093 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1094 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1095 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1096 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1099 @item -annotate @var{level}
1100 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1101 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1102 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1103 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1104 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1105 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1106 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1107 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1108 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1110 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1114 @cindex @code{--args}
1115 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1116 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1117 This option stops option processing.
1119 @item -baud @var{bps}
1121 @cindex @code{--baud}
1123 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1124 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1126 @item -l @var{timeout}
1128 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1129 for remote debugging.
1131 @item -tty @var{device}
1132 @itemx -t @var{device}
1133 @cindex @code{--tty}
1135 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1136 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1138 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1140 @cindex @code{--tui}
1141 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1142 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1143 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1144 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1145 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1146 @samp{gdbtui}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1147 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1150 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1151 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1152 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1153 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1156 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1157 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1158 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1159 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1160 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1161 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1163 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1164 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1165 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1166 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1167 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1168 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1171 @cindex @code{--write}
1172 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1173 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1177 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1178 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1179 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1182 @cindex @code{--version}
1183 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1184 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1189 @subsection What @value{GDBN} does during startup
1190 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1192 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1196 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1197 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1201 Reads the @dfn{init file} (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1202 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1203 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1207 Processes command line options and operands.
1210 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1211 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1212 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1213 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1214 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1218 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1219 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1222 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1223 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1224 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1227 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1228 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1229 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1230 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1231 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1232 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}).
1234 @cindex init file name
1235 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1236 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1237 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
1238 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
1239 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
1240 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
1241 environments with special init file names:
1244 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1246 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1247 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1248 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1249 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1250 the file to the standard name.
1252 @cindex @file{.vxgdbinit}
1254 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @file{.vxgdbinit}
1256 @cindex @file{.os68gdbinit}
1258 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @file{.os68gdbinit}
1260 @cindex @file{.esgdbinit}
1262 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @file{.esgdbinit}
1265 CISCO 68k: @file{.cisco-gdbinit}
1270 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1271 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1272 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1275 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1276 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1277 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1279 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1280 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1281 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1282 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1287 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1288 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1289 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1290 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1291 until a time when it is safe.
1293 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1294 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1295 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1297 @node Shell Commands
1298 @section Shell commands
1300 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1301 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1302 just use the @code{shell} command.
1306 @cindex shell escape
1307 @item shell @var{command string}
1308 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1309 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1310 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1311 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1314 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1315 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1320 @cindex calling make
1321 @item make @var{make-args}
1322 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1323 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1326 @node Logging output
1327 @section Logging output
1328 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1329 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1331 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1332 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1336 @item set logging on
1338 @item set logging off
1340 @cindex logging file name
1341 @item set logging file @var{file}
1342 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1343 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1344 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1345 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1346 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1347 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1348 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1349 @kindex show logging
1351 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1355 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1357 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1358 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1359 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1360 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1361 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1364 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1365 * Completion:: Command completion
1366 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1369 @node Command Syntax
1370 @section Command syntax
1372 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1373 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1374 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1375 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1376 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1377 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1379 @cindex abbreviation
1380 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1381 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1382 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1383 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1384 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1385 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1386 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1388 @cindex repeating commands
1389 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1390 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1391 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1392 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1393 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1394 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1395 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1397 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1398 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1399 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1401 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1402 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1403 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1404 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1405 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1407 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1409 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1410 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1411 Files,,Command files}).
1413 @cindex repeating command sequences
1414 @kindex C-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1415 The @kbd{C-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1416 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @kbd{RET}, and
1417 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1421 @section Command completion
1424 @cindex word completion
1425 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1426 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1427 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1428 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1430 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1431 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1432 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1433 enter it). For example, if you type
1435 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1436 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1437 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1438 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1440 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1444 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1445 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1448 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1452 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1453 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1454 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1455 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1456 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1457 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1459 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1460 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1461 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1462 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1463 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1464 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1465 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1466 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1470 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1471 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1472 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1473 make_abs_section make_function_type
1474 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1475 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1476 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1477 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1481 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1482 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1485 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1486 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1487 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1488 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1489 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1491 @cindex quotes in commands
1492 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1493 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1494 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1495 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1496 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1497 @value{GDBN} commands.
1499 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1500 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1501 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1502 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1503 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1504 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1505 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1506 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1507 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1508 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1509 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1512 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1513 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1517 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1518 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1519 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1524 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1525 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1529 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1530 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1531 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1533 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1534 expressions, ,C@t{++} expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1535 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1536 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
1540 @section Getting help
1541 @cindex online documentation
1544 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1545 using the command @code{help}.
1548 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1551 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1552 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1556 List of classes of commands:
1558 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1559 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1560 data -- Examining data
1561 files -- Specifying and examining files
1562 internals -- Maintenance commands
1563 obscure -- Obscure features
1564 running -- Running the program
1565 stack -- Examining the stack
1566 status -- Status inquiries
1567 support -- Support facilities
1568 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1569 stopping the program
1570 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1572 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1573 commands in that class.
1574 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1576 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1579 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1581 @item help @var{class}
1582 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1583 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1584 help display for the class @code{status}:
1587 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1592 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1593 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1594 info -- Generic command for showing things
1595 about the program being debugged
1596 show -- Generic command for showing things
1599 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1601 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1605 @item help @var{command}
1606 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1607 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1610 @item apropos @var{args}
1611 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1612 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1613 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1624 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1625 multiple times in one run
1626 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1627 multiple times in one run
1632 @item complete @var{args}
1633 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1634 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1635 command you want completed. For example:
1641 @noindent results in:
1652 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1655 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1656 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1657 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1658 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1659 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1660 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1665 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1667 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1668 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1669 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1670 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1671 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1672 @w{@code{help info}}.
1676 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1677 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1678 @code{set prompt $}.
1682 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1683 @value{GDBN} itself.
1684 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1685 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1686 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1687 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1690 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1691 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1692 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1693 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1694 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1695 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1699 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1700 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1703 @kindex show version
1704 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1706 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1707 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1708 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1709 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1710 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1711 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1712 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1713 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1716 @kindex show copying
1717 @kindex info copying
1718 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1721 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1723 @kindex show warranty
1724 @kindex info warranty
1726 @itemx info warranty
1727 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1728 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1733 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1735 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1736 debugging information when you compile it.
1738 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1739 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1740 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1741 kill a child process.
1744 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1745 * Starting:: Starting your program
1746 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1747 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1749 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1750 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1751 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1752 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1754 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1755 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1756 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1760 @section Compiling for debugging
1762 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1763 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1764 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1765 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1766 and addresses in the executable code.
1768 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1771 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1772 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, many
1773 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1774 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1775 executables containing debugging information.
1777 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1778 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1779 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1780 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1781 in pushing your luck.
1783 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1784 @cindex debugging optimized code
1785 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1786 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1787 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1788 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1789 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1790 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1792 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1793 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1794 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1795 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1796 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
1798 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1799 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1800 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1802 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1803 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1804 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1805 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1806 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1807 provides macro information if you specify the options
1808 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1809 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1810 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1811 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1816 @section Starting your program
1822 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1825 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1826 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1827 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1828 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1829 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1833 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1834 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1835 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1836 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1838 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1839 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1840 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1841 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1842 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1843 divided into four categories:
1846 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1847 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1848 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1849 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1850 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1852 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1853 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1854 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1856 @item The @emph{environment.}
1857 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1858 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1859 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1860 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1862 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1863 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1864 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1865 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1867 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1868 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1869 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1870 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1871 set a different device for your program.
1872 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1875 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1876 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1877 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1881 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1882 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1883 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1884 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1885 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1887 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1888 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1889 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1890 your current breakpoints.
1895 @cindex run to main procedure
1896 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1897 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1898 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1899 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1900 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1901 procedure, depending on the language used.
1903 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1904 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1905 the @samp{run} command.
1907 @cindex elaboration phase
1908 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1909 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1910 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1911 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1912 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1913 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1914 will remain to halt execution.
1916 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1917 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1918 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1919 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1920 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1922 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1923 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1924 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1925 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1926 elaboration code before running your program.
1930 @section Your program's arguments
1932 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1933 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1935 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1936 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1937 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1938 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1939 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1941 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1942 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1943 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1944 the program, not by the shell.
1946 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1947 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1952 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1953 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1954 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1955 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1956 it again without arguments.
1960 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1964 @section Your program's environment
1966 @cindex environment (of your program)
1967 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1968 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1969 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1970 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1971 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1972 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1973 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1977 @item path @var{directory}
1978 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1979 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
1980 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
1981 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1982 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1983 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1984 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1986 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1987 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1988 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1989 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1990 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1991 @var{directory} to the search path.
1992 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1993 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1997 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1998 environment variable).
2000 @kindex show environment
2001 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2002 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2003 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2004 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2005 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2007 @kindex set environment
2008 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2009 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2010 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2011 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2012 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2013 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2015 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2016 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2018 For example, this command:
2025 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2026 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2027 are not actually required.)
2029 @kindex unset environment
2030 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2031 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2032 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2033 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2034 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2037 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2039 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2040 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2041 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2042 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2043 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2044 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2047 @node Working Directory
2048 @section Your program's working directory
2050 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2051 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2052 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2053 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2054 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2055 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2057 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2058 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2063 @cindex change working directory
2064 @item cd @var{directory}
2065 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2069 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2072 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2073 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2074 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2075 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2076 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2077 current working directory of the debuggee.
2080 @section Your program's input and output
2085 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2086 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2087 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2088 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2089 running your program.
2092 @kindex info terminal
2094 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2098 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2099 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2106 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2109 @cindex controlling terminal
2110 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2111 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2112 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2113 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2114 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2121 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2122 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2123 that as their controlling terminal.
2125 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2126 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2129 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2130 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2131 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2132 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2134 @cindex inferior tty
2135 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2136 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2137 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2141 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2142 @kindex set inferior-tty
2143 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2145 @item show inferior-tty
2146 @kindex show inferior-tty
2147 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2151 @section Debugging an already-running process
2156 @item attach @var{process-id}
2157 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2158 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2159 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2160 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2161 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2163 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2164 executing the command.
2167 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2168 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2169 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2170 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2172 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2173 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2174 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2175 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
2176 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2179 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2180 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2181 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2182 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2183 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2184 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2185 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2190 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2191 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2192 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2193 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2194 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2195 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2196 executing the command.
2199 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
2200 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
2201 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
2202 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
2203 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
2207 @section Killing the child process
2212 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2215 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2216 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2219 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2220 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2221 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2222 outside the debugger.
2224 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2225 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2226 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2227 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2228 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2229 breakpoint settings).
2232 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2234 @cindex threads of execution
2235 @cindex multiple threads
2236 @cindex switching threads
2237 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2238 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2239 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2240 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2241 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2242 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2243 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2245 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2249 @item automatic notification of new threads
2250 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2251 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2252 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2253 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2254 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2258 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2259 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2260 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2261 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2262 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2266 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2267 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2268 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2269 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2271 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2272 @c doesn't support threads"?
2275 @cindex focus of debugging
2276 @cindex current thread
2277 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2278 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2279 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2280 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2281 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2283 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2284 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2285 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2286 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2287 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2288 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2289 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2290 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2291 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2292 LynxOS, you might see
2295 [New process 35 thread 27]
2299 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2300 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2303 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2304 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2305 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2307 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2308 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2309 @c threads ab initio?
2311 @cindex thread number
2312 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2313 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2314 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2317 @kindex info threads
2319 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2320 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2324 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2327 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2330 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2334 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2335 indicates the current thread.
2339 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2342 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2343 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2344 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2345 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2351 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2352 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2353 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2354 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2355 thread in your program.
2357 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2358 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2359 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2360 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2361 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2362 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2363 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2364 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2365 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2369 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2373 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2376 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2378 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2379 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2382 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2384 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2386 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2390 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2391 indicates the current thread.
2395 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2398 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2399 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2401 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2402 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2403 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2404 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2407 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2408 Solaris-specific command:
2411 @item maint info sol-threads
2412 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2413 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2414 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2418 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2419 @item thread @var{threadno}
2420 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2421 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2422 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2423 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2424 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2427 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2428 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2429 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2430 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2434 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2435 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2438 @kindex thread apply
2439 @cindex apply command to several threads
2440 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2441 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2442 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2443 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2444 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2445 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2446 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2447 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2450 @cindex automatic thread selection
2451 @cindex switching threads automatically
2452 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2453 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2454 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2455 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2456 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2459 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2460 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2461 programs with multiple threads.
2463 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2464 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2467 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2469 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2470 @cindex multiple processes
2471 @cindex processes, multiple
2472 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2473 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2474 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2475 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2476 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2477 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2478 will cause it to terminate.
2480 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2481 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2482 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2483 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2484 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2485 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2486 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2487 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2488 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2489 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2491 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2492 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2493 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2494 only?) and GNU/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2496 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2497 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2499 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2500 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2503 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2504 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2505 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2506 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2507 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2511 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2512 unimpeded. This is the default.
2515 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2520 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2521 @item show follow-fork-mode
2522 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2525 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2526 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2527 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2530 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2531 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2532 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2533 retain debugger control over them both.
2537 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2538 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2539 independently. This is the default.
2542 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2543 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2544 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2549 @kindex show detach-on-follow
2550 @item show detach-on-follow
2551 Show whether detach-on-follow mode is on/off.
2554 If you choose to set @var{detach-on-follow} mode off, then
2555 @value{GDBN} will retain control of all forked processes (including
2556 nested forks). You can list the forked processes under the control of
2557 @value{GDBN} by using the @w{@code{info forks}} command, and switch
2558 from one fork to another by using the @w{@code{fork}} command.
2563 Print a list of all forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2564 The listing will include a fork id, a process id, and the current
2565 position (program counter) of the process.
2568 @kindex fork @var{fork-id}
2569 @item fork @var{fork-id}
2570 Make fork number @var{fork-id} the current process. The argument
2571 @var{fork-id} is the internal fork number assigned by @value{GDBN},
2572 as shown in the first field of the @samp{info forks} display.
2576 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2577 from it by using the @w{@code{detach-fork}} command (allowing it to
2578 run independently), or delete (and kill) it using the
2579 @w{@code{delete fork}} command.
2582 @kindex detach-fork @var{fork-id}
2583 @item detach-fork @var{fork-id}
2584 Detach from the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number
2585 @var{fork-id}, and remove it from the fork list. The process will be
2586 allowed to run independently.
2588 @kindex delete fork @var{fork-id}
2589 @item delete fork @var{fork-id}
2590 Kill the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number @var{fork-id},
2591 and remove it from the fork list.
2595 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2596 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2597 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2598 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2599 the child process's @code{main}.
2601 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2602 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2604 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2605 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2606 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2609 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2610 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2611 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2613 @node Checkpoint/Restart
2614 @section Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
2619 @cindex snapshot of a process
2620 @cindex rewind program state
2622 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
2623 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
2624 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
2627 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
2628 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
2629 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
2630 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
2631 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
2633 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
2634 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
2635 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
2636 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
2637 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
2638 start again from there.
2640 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
2641 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
2643 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
2648 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
2649 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
2650 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
2652 @kindex info checkpoints
2653 @item info checkpoints
2654 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
2655 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
2662 @item Source line, or label
2665 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2666 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2667 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
2668 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
2669 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
2670 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
2671 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
2673 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
2674 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
2675 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
2678 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2679 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2680 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
2684 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
2685 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
2686 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
2687 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
2688 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
2689 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
2690 previously read data can be read again.
2692 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
2693 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
2694 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
2695 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
2696 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
2697 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
2699 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
2700 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
2701 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
2702 different execution path this time.
2704 @cindex checkpoints and process id
2705 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
2706 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
2707 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
2708 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
2709 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
2710 potentially pose a problem.
2712 @subsection A non-obvious benefit of using checkpoints
2714 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
2715 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
2716 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
2717 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
2718 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
2721 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
2722 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
2723 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
2724 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
2725 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
2728 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2730 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2731 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2732 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2734 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2735 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2736 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2737 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2738 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2739 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2740 explicitly request this information at any time.
2743 @kindex info program
2745 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2746 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2750 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2751 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2753 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2757 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2760 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2761 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2762 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2763 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2764 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2765 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2768 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
2769 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
2770 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
2771 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
2772 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
2776 @cindex memory tracing
2777 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2778 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2779 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2780 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2781 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2782 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2783 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2784 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2786 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2787 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2791 @cindex breakpoint on events
2792 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2793 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2794 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2795 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2796 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2797 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2798 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2800 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2801 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2802 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2803 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2804 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2805 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2806 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2807 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2810 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2811 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2812 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2813 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2814 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2815 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2816 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2819 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2820 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2821 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2822 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2823 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2824 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2825 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2826 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2827 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2828 * Breakpoint related warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
2832 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2834 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2835 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2837 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2840 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
2841 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
2842 @cindex latest breakpoint
2843 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2844 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2845 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2846 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2847 convenience variables.
2849 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2852 @item break @var{function}
2853 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2854 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2855 C@t{++}, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2856 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2858 @item break +@var{offset}
2859 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2860 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2861 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2862 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2864 @item break @var{linenum}
2865 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2866 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2867 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2870 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2871 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2873 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2874 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2875 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2876 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2879 @item break *@var{address}
2880 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2881 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2882 information or source files.
2885 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2886 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2887 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2888 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2889 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2890 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2891 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2892 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2893 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2896 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2897 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2898 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2899 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2900 existed when your program stopped.
2902 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2903 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2904 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2905 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2906 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2907 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2908 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2911 @item tbreak @var{args}
2912 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2913 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2914 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2915 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2918 @cindex hardware breakpoints
2919 @item hbreak @var{args}
2920 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2921 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2922 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2923 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2924 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2925 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2926 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
2927 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2928 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2929 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2930 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2931 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2932 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2933 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2934 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
2935 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
2936 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
2940 @item thbreak @var{args}
2941 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2942 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2943 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2944 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2945 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2946 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2947 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2948 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2951 @cindex regular expression
2952 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
2953 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
2954 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2955 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2956 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2957 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2958 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2959 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2960 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2962 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2963 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2964 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2965 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2966 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2967 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2969 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
2970 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2971 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2974 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
2975 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
2976 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
2979 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
2982 @kindex info breakpoints
2983 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2984 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2985 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2986 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2987 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2988 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2991 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2993 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2995 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2996 @item Enabled or Disabled
2997 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2998 that are not enabled.
3000 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. If the
3001 breakpoint is pending (see below for details) on a future load of a shared library, the address
3002 will be listed as @samp{<PENDING>}.
3004 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3005 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3006 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3007 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3011 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3012 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3013 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3014 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3015 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3019 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3020 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3021 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3022 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3023 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
3026 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3027 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3028 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3029 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3030 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3031 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3034 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3035 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3036 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3037 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3039 @cindex pending breakpoints
3040 If a specified breakpoint location cannot be found, it may be due to the fact
3041 that the location is in a shared library that is yet to be loaded. In such
3042 a case, you may want @value{GDBN} to create a special breakpoint (known as
3043 a @dfn{pending breakpoint}) that
3044 attempts to resolve itself in the future when an appropriate shared library
3047 Pending breakpoints are useful to set at the start of your
3048 @value{GDBN} session for locations that you know will be dynamically loaded
3049 later by the program being debugged. When shared libraries are loaded,
3050 a check is made to see if the load resolves any pending breakpoint locations.
3051 If a pending breakpoint location gets resolved,
3052 a regular breakpoint is created and the original pending breakpoint is removed.
3054 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling pending
3057 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3058 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3060 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3061 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3062 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3064 @item set breakpoint pending on
3065 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3066 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3068 @item set breakpoint pending off
3069 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3070 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3071 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3073 @item show breakpoint pending
3074 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3077 @cindex operations allowed on pending breakpoints
3078 Normal breakpoint operations apply to pending breakpoints as well. You may
3079 specify a condition for a pending breakpoint and/or commands to run when the
3080 breakpoint is reached. You can also enable or disable
3081 the pending breakpoint. When you specify a condition for a pending breakpoint,
3082 the parsing of the condition will be deferred until the point where the
3083 pending breakpoint location is resolved. Disabling a pending breakpoint
3084 tells @value{GDBN} to not attempt to resolve the breakpoint on any subsequent
3085 shared library load. When a pending breakpoint is re-enabled,
3086 @value{GDBN} checks to see if the location is already resolved.
3087 This is done because any number of shared library loads could have
3088 occurred since the time the breakpoint was disabled and one or more
3089 of these loads could resolve the location.
3091 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3092 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3093 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3094 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3095 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3096 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3097 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3098 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3101 @node Set Watchpoints
3102 @subsection Setting watchpoints
3104 @cindex setting watchpoints
3105 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3106 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3109 @cindex software watchpoints
3110 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3111 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3112 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3113 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3114 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3115 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3118 On some systems, such as HP-UX, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3119 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3120 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3124 @item watch @var{expr}
3125 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
3126 is written into by the program and its value changes.
3129 @item rwatch @var{expr}
3130 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3134 @item awatch @var{expr}
3135 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3136 or written into by the program.
3138 @kindex info watchpoints
3139 @item info watchpoints
3140 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3141 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3144 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3145 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3146 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3147 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3148 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3149 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3151 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3152 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3153 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3154 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3155 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3156 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3157 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3158 mechanism of watching expressiion values.)
3161 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3162 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3163 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3165 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3166 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3167 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3170 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3171 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3172 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3174 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3177 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3181 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3183 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3184 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3185 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3186 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3187 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3188 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3189 will print a message like this:
3192 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3195 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3196 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3197 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3198 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3199 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3200 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3201 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3202 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3204 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3205 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3206 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3207 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3208 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3209 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3212 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3216 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3218 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
3219 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
3220 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
3221 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
3222 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
3223 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
3224 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
3225 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
3226 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
3227 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
3229 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3230 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3231 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3233 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3234 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3235 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3236 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3237 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3238 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3239 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3240 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3241 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3244 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3245 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3246 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
3247 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
3248 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
3249 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
3250 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
3251 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
3252 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
3255 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
3256 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
3257 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3258 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3259 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3260 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3261 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3262 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3263 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3264 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3267 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3269 @node Set Catchpoints
3270 @subsection Setting catchpoints
3271 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3272 @cindex exception handlers
3273 @cindex event handling
3275 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3276 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3277 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3281 @item catch @var{event}
3282 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3285 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3286 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3289 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3292 @cindex break on fork/exec
3293 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3296 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3299 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3302 @itemx load @var{libname}
3303 @cindex break on load/unload of shared library
3304 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
3305 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3308 @itemx unload @var{libname}
3309 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
3310 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3313 @item tcatch @var{event}
3314 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3315 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3319 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3321 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
3322 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3326 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3327 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3328 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3329 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3330 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3331 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3332 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3333 disabled within interactive calls.
3336 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3339 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3342 @cindex raise exceptions
3343 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3344 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3345 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3346 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3347 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3348 out where the exception was raised.
3350 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3351 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
3352 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3353 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3356 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3357 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
3358 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
3362 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3363 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3364 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
3366 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
3367 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3368 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3369 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3374 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
3376 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3377 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3378 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3379 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
3380 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
3381 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3383 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3384 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3385 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3386 their breakpoint numbers.
3388 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3389 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3390 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3395 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3396 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
3397 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3398 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3400 @item clear @var{function}
3401 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3402 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
3404 @item clear @var{linenum}
3405 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3406 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
3407 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
3409 @cindex delete breakpoints
3411 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
3412 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3413 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
3414 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
3415 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
3416 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3420 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
3422 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
3423 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3424 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
3425 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
3426 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3428 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3429 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
3430 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3431 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3432 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
3434 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3435 states of enablement:
3439 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3440 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3442 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3444 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3447 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3448 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
3449 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
3452 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3453 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3457 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
3458 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3459 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3460 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3461 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3462 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3463 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3466 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3467 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3468 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3470 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
3471 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3472 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3474 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
3475 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3476 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3477 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
3480 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3481 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3482 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3483 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3484 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3485 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3486 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3487 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3491 @subsection Break conditions
3492 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3493 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3495 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3496 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3497 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3498 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3499 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3500 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3501 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3502 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3504 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3505 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3506 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3507 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3508 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3510 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3511 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3512 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3513 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3516 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3517 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3518 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3519 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3520 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3521 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3522 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3523 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3525 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3526 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3528 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3529 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3530 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3531 with the @code{condition} command.
3533 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3534 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3535 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3540 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3541 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3542 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3543 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3544 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3545 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3546 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3547 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3548 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3549 prints an error message:
3552 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3557 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3558 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3559 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3561 @item condition @var{bnum}
3562 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3563 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3566 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3567 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3568 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3569 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3570 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3571 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3572 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3573 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3574 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3575 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3576 your program reaches it.
3580 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3581 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3582 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3583 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3586 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3589 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3590 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3591 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3592 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3594 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3595 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3596 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3598 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3599 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3600 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3604 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3607 @node Break Commands
3608 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3610 @cindex breakpoint commands
3611 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3612 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3613 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3614 enable other breakpoints.
3618 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
3619 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3620 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3622 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3623 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3624 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3626 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3627 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3629 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3630 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3631 recently encountered).
3634 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3635 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3637 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3638 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3639 that resumes execution.
3641 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3642 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3643 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3644 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3645 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3648 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3649 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3650 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3651 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3652 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3653 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3655 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3656 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3657 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3659 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3660 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3666 printf "x is %d\n",x
3671 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3672 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3673 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3674 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3675 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3676 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3677 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3688 @node Breakpoint Menus
3689 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3691 @cindex symbol overloading
3693 Some programming languages (notably C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit a
3694 single function name
3695 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3696 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3697 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3698 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3699 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3700 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3701 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3702 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3703 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3704 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3705 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3708 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3709 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3710 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3712 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3715 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3718 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3719 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3720 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3721 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3722 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3723 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3725 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3726 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3727 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3728 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3729 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3735 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3736 @node Error in Breakpoints
3737 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3739 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3741 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3742 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3743 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3744 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3747 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3748 The same program may be running in another process.
3751 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3755 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3758 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3759 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3760 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3761 Then start your program again.
3764 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3765 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3766 to nonsharable executables.
3770 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3771 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3773 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3774 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3776 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3777 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3781 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3782 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3783 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3785 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3786 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3788 @node Breakpoint related warnings
3789 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3790 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
3792 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
3793 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
3794 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
3795 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
3797 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
3798 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
3799 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
3800 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
3801 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
3802 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
3803 first in the bundle.
3805 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
3806 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
3807 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
3808 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
3809 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
3810 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
3813 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
3814 that's been subject to address adjustment:
3817 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
3820 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
3821 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
3822 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
3823 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
3824 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
3825 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
3826 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
3827 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
3829 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
3830 adjusted breakpoints:
3833 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
3837 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
3838 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
3839 frequently than expected.
3841 @node Continuing and Stepping
3842 @section Continuing and stepping
3846 @cindex resuming execution
3847 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3848 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3849 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3850 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3851 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3852 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3853 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3854 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3858 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
3859 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
3860 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3861 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3862 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3863 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3864 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3865 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3866 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3867 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3869 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3870 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3871 @code{continue} is ignored.
3873 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3874 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3875 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3879 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3880 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3881 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3882 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3884 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3885 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3886 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3887 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3888 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3889 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3893 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
3895 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3896 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3897 abbreviated @code{s}.
3900 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3901 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3902 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3903 @c distinction here.
3904 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3905 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3906 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3907 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3908 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3909 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3913 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
3914 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3915 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
3916 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
3917 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
3918 called within the line.
3920 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3921 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3922 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3923 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3924 was any debugging information about the routine.
3926 @item step @var{count}
3927 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3928 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3929 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3932 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
3933 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3934 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3935 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3936 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3937 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3938 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3939 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3941 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3944 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3945 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3947 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3948 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3949 @c function are executed without stopping.
3951 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3952 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3953 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
3955 @kindex set step-mode
3957 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
3958 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
3959 @itemx set step-mode on
3960 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
3961 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
3962 information rather than stepping over it.
3964 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
3965 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
3966 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
3968 @item set step-mode off
3969 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
3970 debug information. This is the default.
3972 @item show step-mode
3973 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
3974 source line debug information.
3978 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3979 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3981 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3982 ,Returning from a function}).
3985 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
3986 @cindex run until specified location
3989 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3990 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3991 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3992 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3993 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3994 than the address of the jump.
3996 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3997 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3998 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3999 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4000 through the next iteration.
4002 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4005 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4006 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4007 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4008 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4009 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4013 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4015 (@value{GDBP}) until
4016 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4019 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4020 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4021 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4022 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4023 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4024 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4025 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4027 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4028 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4031 @item until @var{location}
4032 @itemx u @var{location}
4033 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4034 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4035 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4036 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints, and
4037 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4038 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4039 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4040 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4041 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4042 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e. after the inner
4043 invocations have returned.
4046 94 int factorial (int value)
4048 96 if (value > 1) @{
4049 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4056 @kindex advance @var{location}
4057 @itemx advance @var{location}
4058 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4059 required, which should be of the same form as arguments for the @code{break}
4060 command. Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4061 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4062 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4063 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4067 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4069 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4071 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4073 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4074 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4075 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4076 Display,, Automatic display}.
4078 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4082 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4084 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4086 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4087 proceed until the function returns.
4089 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4096 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4097 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4098 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4099 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
4100 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4101 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4102 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4103 requested an alarm).
4105 @cindex fatal signals
4106 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4107 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4108 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4109 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4110 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4111 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4113 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4114 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4117 @cindex handling signals
4118 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4119 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4120 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4121 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4122 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4125 @kindex info signals
4129 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4130 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4131 the defined types of signals.
4133 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4136 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
4137 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4138 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4139 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4140 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4141 known signals. The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
4145 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4146 Their full names are:
4150 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4151 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4154 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4155 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4158 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4161 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4162 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4166 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4167 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4168 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4172 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4173 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4177 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4179 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4180 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4181 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4182 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4183 program sees that signal when you continue.
4185 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4186 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4187 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4190 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4191 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4192 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4193 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4194 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4195 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4196 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4197 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4201 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
4203 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4204 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
4205 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4208 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4209 @cindex thread breakpoints
4210 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4211 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4212 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4213 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4214 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4216 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4217 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4218 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4219 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4220 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4222 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4223 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4226 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4227 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4228 breakpoint condition, like this:
4231 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4236 @cindex stopped threads
4237 @cindex threads, stopped
4238 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4239 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4240 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4241 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4244 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
4245 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
4246 @cindex premature return from system calls
4247 There is an unfortunate side effect. If one thread stops for a
4248 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
4249 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
4250 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
4251 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
4254 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
4255 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
4258 For example, do not write code like this:
4264 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
4265 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
4267 Instead, write this:
4272 unslept = sleep (unslept);
4275 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
4276 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
4277 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
4280 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
4281 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
4282 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
4283 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
4285 @cindex continuing threads
4286 @cindex threads, continuing
4287 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4288 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4289 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4291 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4292 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4293 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4294 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4295 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4296 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4299 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4300 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4301 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4302 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4304 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
4308 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4309 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4310 @cindex lock scheduler
4311 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4312 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4313 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4314 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
4315 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
4316 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4317 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4318 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4319 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4320 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
4321 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
4323 @item show scheduler-locking
4324 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4329 @chapter Examining the Stack
4331 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
4332 stopped and how it got there.
4335 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
4337 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
4338 the arguments of the call,
4339 and the local variables of the function being called.
4340 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
4341 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
4344 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
4345 stack allow you to see all of this information.
4347 @cindex selected frame
4348 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
4349 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
4350 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
4351 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
4352 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
4353 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4355 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
4356 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
4357 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
4360 * Frames:: Stack frames
4361 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
4362 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
4363 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
4368 @section Stack frames
4370 @cindex frame, definition
4372 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
4373 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
4374 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
4375 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
4376 which the function is executing.
4378 @cindex initial frame
4379 @cindex outermost frame
4380 @cindex innermost frame
4381 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
4382 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
4383 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
4384 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
4385 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
4386 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
4387 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
4388 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
4390 @cindex frame pointer
4391 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
4392 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
4393 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
4394 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
4395 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
4396 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
4398 @cindex frame number
4399 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
4400 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
4401 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
4402 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
4403 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
4405 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
4406 @c underflow problems.
4407 @cindex frameless execution
4408 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
4409 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{GCC} option
4411 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
4413 generates functions without a frame.)
4414 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
4415 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
4416 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
4417 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
4418 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
4419 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
4420 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
4423 @kindex frame@r{, command}
4424 @cindex current stack frame
4425 @item frame @var{args}
4426 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
4427 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
4428 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
4429 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
4431 @kindex select-frame
4432 @cindex selecting frame silently
4434 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
4435 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
4443 @cindex call stack traces
4444 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
4445 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
4446 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
4451 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
4454 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
4455 frames in the stack.
4457 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
4458 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
4460 @item backtrace @var{n}
4462 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
4464 @item backtrace -@var{n}
4466 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
4468 @item backtrace full
4469 Print the values of the local variables also.
4475 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
4476 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
4478 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
4479 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
4480 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
4481 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
4482 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
4483 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
4484 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
4485 multi-threaded program.
4487 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
4488 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
4489 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
4490 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
4491 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
4494 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
4495 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
4499 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4501 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
4502 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
4504 (More stack frames follow...)
4509 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
4510 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
4511 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
4513 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
4514 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
4515 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
4516 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
4517 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
4518 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
4519 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
4520 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
4521 such a backtrace might look like:
4525 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4527 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
4528 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
4530 (More stack frames follow...)
4535 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
4536 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
4538 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
4539 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
4540 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
4542 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
4543 @cindex program entry point
4544 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
4545 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
4546 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
4547 @code{main}@footnote{
4548 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
4549 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
4550 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
4551 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
4552 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
4553 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
4555 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
4556 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
4559 @item set backtrace past-main
4560 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
4561 @kindex set backtrace
4562 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
4564 @item set backtrace past-main off
4565 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
4568 @item show backtrace past-main
4569 @kindex show backtrace
4570 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
4572 @item set backtrace past-entry
4573 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
4574 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
4575 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
4576 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
4578 @item set backtrace past-entry off
4579 Backtraces will stop when they encouter the internal entry point of an
4580 application. This is the default.
4582 @item show backtrace past-entry
4583 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
4585 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
4586 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
4587 @cindex backtrace limit
4588 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
4591 @item show backtrace limit
4592 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
4596 @section Selecting a frame
4598 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
4599 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
4600 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
4601 of the stack frame just selected.
4604 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
4605 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
4608 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
4609 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
4610 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
4613 @item frame @var{addr}
4615 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
4616 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
4617 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
4618 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
4619 switches between them.
4621 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
4622 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
4624 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
4625 pointer and a program counter.
4627 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
4628 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
4632 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4633 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
4634 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
4637 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
4639 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4640 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
4641 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
4642 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
4645 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
4646 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
4647 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
4648 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
4656 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
4658 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
4662 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
4663 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
4664 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
4665 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
4666 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines},
4670 @kindex down-silently
4672 @item up-silently @var{n}
4673 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
4674 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
4675 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
4676 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
4677 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
4682 @section Information about a frame
4684 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
4690 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
4691 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
4692 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
4693 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
4694 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4697 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
4700 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4705 the address of the frame
4707 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4709 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4711 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4713 the address of the frame's arguments
4715 the address of the frame's local variables
4717 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4719 which registers were saved in the frame
4722 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4723 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4724 the usual conventions.
4726 @item info frame @var{addr}
4727 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4728 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4729 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4730 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4731 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4732 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4736 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4740 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4741 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4742 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4745 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
4746 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
4748 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4749 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4750 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4751 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4752 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
4758 @chapter Examining Source Files
4760 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4761 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4762 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4763 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4764 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4765 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4766 source files by explicit command.
4768 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
4769 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
4770 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4773 * List:: Printing source lines
4774 * Edit:: Editing source files
4775 * Search:: Searching source files
4776 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4777 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4781 @section Printing source lines
4784 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
4785 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4786 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4787 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4789 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4792 @item list @var{linenum}
4793 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4794 current source file.
4796 @item list @var{function}
4797 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4801 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4802 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4803 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4804 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4805 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4808 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4811 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
4812 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4813 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4816 @kindex set listsize
4817 @item set listsize @var{count}
4818 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4819 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4821 @kindex show listsize
4823 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4826 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4827 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4828 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4829 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4830 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4833 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4834 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4835 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4836 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4839 @item list @var{linespec}
4840 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4842 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4843 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4846 @item list ,@var{last}
4847 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4849 @item list @var{first},
4850 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4853 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4856 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4859 As described in the preceding table.
4862 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4867 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4868 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4869 the same source file as the first linespec.
4872 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4873 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4874 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4878 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4880 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4881 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4883 @item @var{function}
4884 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4885 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4887 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4888 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4889 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4890 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4891 identically named functions in different source files.
4893 @item *@var{address}
4894 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4895 @var{address} may be any expression.
4899 @section Editing source files
4900 @cindex editing source files
4903 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
4904 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
4905 The editing program of your choice
4906 is invoked with the current line set to
4907 the active line in the program.
4908 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
4909 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program.
4911 Here are the forms of the @code{edit} command most commonly used:
4915 Edit the current source file at the active line number in the program.
4917 @item edit @var{number}
4918 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
4920 @item edit @var{function}
4921 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
4923 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{number}
4924 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4926 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{function}
4927 Specifies the line that begins the body of the
4928 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4929 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4930 identically named functions in different source files.
4932 @item edit *@var{address}
4933 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4934 @var{address} may be any expression.
4937 @subsection Choosing your editor
4938 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
4940 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
4941 following command-line syntax:
4943 ex +@var{number} file
4945 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
4946 the file where to start editing.}.
4947 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
4948 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
4949 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
4950 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
4956 or in the @code{csh} shell,
4958 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
4963 @section Searching source files
4964 @cindex searching source files
4966 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4971 @kindex forward-search
4972 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4973 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4974 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4975 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4976 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4977 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4980 @kindex reverse-search
4981 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4982 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4983 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4984 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4985 this command as @code{rev}.
4989 @section Specifying source directories
4992 @cindex directories for source files
4993 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4994 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4995 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4996 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4997 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4998 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4999 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
5001 For example, suppose an executable references the file
5002 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
5003 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
5004 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
5005 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
5006 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
5007 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
5008 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
5009 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
5010 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
5011 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
5013 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
5014 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
5015 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
5016 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
5017 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
5018 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
5020 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
5023 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
5024 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
5025 each line is in the file.
5029 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
5030 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
5031 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
5033 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
5034 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
5036 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
5037 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
5038 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
5039 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
5040 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
5041 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
5042 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
5043 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
5044 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
5045 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
5046 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
5047 name to look up the sources.
5049 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
5050 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
5051 GDB to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
5052 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
5053 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
5054 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
5055 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
5056 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
5058 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
5059 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
5060 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
5061 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
5062 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
5063 is applied only at the begining of the directory name, this rule will
5064 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
5066 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
5067 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
5068 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
5069 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
5070 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
5071 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
5072 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
5075 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
5076 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
5077 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
5078 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
5079 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
5080 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
5081 method available to point GDB at the new location.
5084 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
5085 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
5086 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
5087 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
5088 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
5089 part of absolute file names) or
5090 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
5091 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
5095 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
5096 @vindex $cwdr@r{, convenience variable}
5097 @cindex compilation directory
5098 @cindex current directory
5099 @cindex working directory
5100 @cindex directory, current
5101 @cindex directory, compilation
5102 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
5103 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
5104 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
5105 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
5106 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
5107 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
5110 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
5112 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
5113 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
5115 @item show directories
5116 @kindex show directories
5117 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
5119 @anchor{set substitute-path}
5120 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
5121 @kindex set substitute-path
5122 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
5123 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
5124 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
5126 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
5127 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
5130 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
5134 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
5135 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
5136 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
5138 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
5139 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
5140 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
5143 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
5146 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
5147 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
5151 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
5152 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
5153 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
5154 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
5157 @item unset substitute-path [path]
5158 @kindex unset substitute-path
5159 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
5160 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
5161 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
5163 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
5165 @item show substitute-path [path]
5166 @kindex show substitute-path
5167 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
5168 which would rewrite that path, if any.
5170 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
5175 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
5176 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
5177 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
5181 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
5184 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
5185 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
5186 directories in one command.
5190 @section Source and machine code
5191 @cindex source line and its code address
5193 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
5194 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
5195 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
5196 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
5197 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
5202 @item info line @var{linespec}
5203 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
5204 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
5205 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
5209 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
5210 the object code for the first line of function
5211 @code{m4_changequote}:
5213 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
5214 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
5216 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
5217 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
5221 @cindex code address and its source line
5222 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
5223 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
5225 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
5226 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
5229 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
5230 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
5231 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
5232 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
5233 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
5234 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
5235 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
5236 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5241 @cindex assembly instructions
5242 @cindex instructions, assembly
5243 @cindex machine instructions
5244 @cindex listing machine instructions
5246 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
5247 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
5248 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
5249 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
5250 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
5251 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
5254 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
5255 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
5258 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
5259 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
5260 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
5261 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
5262 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
5263 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
5264 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
5265 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
5266 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
5267 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
5268 End of assembler dump.
5271 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
5272 mnemonics or other syntax.
5274 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
5275 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
5276 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
5277 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
5278 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
5281 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
5282 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
5283 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
5284 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
5285 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
5286 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
5288 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
5289 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
5290 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
5291 assemblers for x86-based targets.
5293 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
5294 @item show disassembly-flavor
5295 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
5300 @chapter Examining Data
5302 @cindex printing data
5303 @cindex examining data
5306 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
5307 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
5308 @c different window or something like that.
5309 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
5310 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
5311 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
5312 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
5313 Different Languages}).
5316 @item print @var{expr}
5317 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
5318 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
5319 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
5320 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
5321 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
5325 @itemx print /@var{f}
5326 @cindex reprint the last value
5327 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
5328 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
5329 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
5332 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
5333 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
5334 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5336 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
5337 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
5338 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
5342 * Expressions:: Expressions
5343 * Variables:: Program variables
5344 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
5345 * Output Formats:: Output formats
5346 * Memory:: Examining memory
5347 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
5348 * Print Settings:: Print settings
5349 * Value History:: Value history
5350 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
5351 * Registers:: Registers
5352 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
5353 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
5354 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
5355 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
5356 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
5357 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
5358 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
5359 character set than GDB does
5360 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
5364 @section Expressions
5367 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
5368 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
5369 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
5370 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
5371 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
5372 you compiled your program to include this information; see
5375 @cindex arrays in expressions
5376 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
5377 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
5378 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
5379 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
5381 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
5382 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
5383 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
5386 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
5387 expressions regardless of your programming language.
5389 @cindex casts, in expressions
5390 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
5391 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
5392 at that address in memory.
5393 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
5395 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
5396 to programming languages:
5400 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
5401 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
5404 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
5405 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
5407 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
5408 @cindex type casting memory
5409 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
5410 @cindex casts, to view memory
5411 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
5412 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
5413 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
5414 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
5415 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
5416 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
5420 @section Program variables
5422 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
5425 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
5426 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
5430 global (or file-static)
5437 visible according to the scope rules of the
5438 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
5441 @noindent This means that in the function
5456 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
5457 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
5458 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
5459 the block where @code{b} is declared.
5461 @cindex variable name conflict
5462 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
5463 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
5464 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
5465 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
5466 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
5467 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
5468 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
5470 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
5472 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
5473 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
5476 @var{file}::@var{variable}
5477 @var{function}::@var{variable}
5481 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
5482 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
5483 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
5484 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
5487 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
5490 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
5491 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
5492 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
5493 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
5494 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
5497 @cindex wrong values
5498 @cindex variable values, wrong
5499 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
5500 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
5502 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
5503 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
5504 scope, and just before exit.
5506 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
5507 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
5508 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
5509 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
5510 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
5511 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
5512 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
5513 variable definitions may be gone.
5515 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
5516 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
5519 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
5520 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
5521 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
5522 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
5523 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
5524 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
5525 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
5528 No symbol "foo" in current context.
5531 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
5532 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
5533 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
5534 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
5535 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
5536 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
5537 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
5538 for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}.
5539 @xref{C, , Debugging C++}, for more info about debug info formats
5540 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
5542 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
5543 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
5544 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
5545 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
5548 @section Artificial arrays
5550 @cindex artificial array
5552 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
5553 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
5554 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
5555 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
5558 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
5559 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
5560 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
5561 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
5562 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
5563 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
5564 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
5565 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
5566 example. If a program says
5569 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
5573 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
5579 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
5580 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
5581 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
5582 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
5583 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
5585 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
5586 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
5587 The value need not be in memory:
5589 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
5590 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5593 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
5594 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
5595 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
5597 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
5598 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5601 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
5602 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
5603 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
5604 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
5605 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5606 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
5607 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
5608 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
5609 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
5610 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
5620 @node Output Formats
5621 @section Output formats
5623 @cindex formatted output
5624 @cindex output formats
5625 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
5626 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
5627 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
5628 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
5629 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
5631 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
5632 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
5633 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
5634 letters supported are:
5638 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
5642 Print as integer in signed decimal.
5645 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
5648 Print as integer in octal.
5651 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
5652 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
5653 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
5654 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
5657 @cindex unknown address, locating
5658 @cindex locate address
5659 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
5660 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
5661 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
5664 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
5665 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
5669 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
5670 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
5673 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
5674 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
5675 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
5676 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
5679 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
5680 using typical floating point syntax.
5683 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
5690 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
5691 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
5693 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
5694 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
5695 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
5698 @section Examining memory
5700 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
5701 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
5703 @cindex examining memory
5705 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
5706 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
5709 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
5712 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
5713 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
5714 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
5715 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
5716 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
5719 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
5720 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
5721 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
5722 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
5725 @item @var{f}, the display format
5726 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
5727 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
5728 @samp{f}), and in addition @samp{s} (for null-terminated strings) and
5729 @samp{i} (for machine instructions). The default is @samp{x}
5730 (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes each time you use either
5731 @code{x} or @code{print}.
5733 @item @var{u}, the unit size
5734 The unit size is any of
5740 Halfwords (two bytes).
5742 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
5744 Giant words (eight bytes).
5747 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
5748 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
5749 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
5751 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
5752 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
5753 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
5754 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
5755 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
5756 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
5757 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
5758 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
5759 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
5760 a value from memory).
5763 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
5764 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
5765 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
5766 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
5767 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
5769 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
5770 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
5771 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
5772 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
5773 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
5775 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
5776 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
5777 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
5778 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
5779 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
5780 Code,,Source and machine code}.
5782 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
5783 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
5784 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
5785 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
5786 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
5787 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
5788 for successive uses of @code{x}.
5790 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
5791 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
5792 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
5793 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
5794 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
5795 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
5796 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
5797 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
5798 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
5800 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
5801 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
5802 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
5804 @cindex remote memory comparison
5805 @cindex verify remote memory image
5806 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
5807 (@pxref{Remote}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
5808 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
5809 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
5813 @kindex compare-sections
5814 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
5815 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
5816 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
5817 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
5818 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
5819 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
5824 @section Automatic display
5825 @cindex automatic display
5826 @cindex display of expressions
5828 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
5829 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
5830 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
5831 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
5832 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
5833 The automatic display looks like this:
5837 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
5841 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
5842 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
5843 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
5844 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
5845 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
5846 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
5847 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
5851 @item display @var{expr}
5852 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
5853 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5855 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5857 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
5858 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
5859 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
5860 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
5861 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
5863 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
5864 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
5865 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
5866 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
5867 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5870 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
5871 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
5872 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5875 @kindex delete display
5877 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
5878 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5879 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
5881 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5882 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
5884 @kindex disable display
5885 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5886 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
5887 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
5888 enabled again later.
5890 @kindex enable display
5891 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5892 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
5893 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
5896 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
5897 done when your program stops.
5899 @kindex info display
5901 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
5902 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
5903 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
5904 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
5905 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
5908 @cindex display disabled out of scope
5909 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
5910 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
5911 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
5912 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
5913 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
5914 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
5915 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
5916 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
5917 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
5918 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
5920 @node Print Settings
5921 @section Print settings
5923 @cindex format options
5924 @cindex print settings
5925 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
5926 and symbols are printed.
5929 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
5933 @item set print address
5934 @itemx set print address on
5935 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
5936 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
5937 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5938 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5939 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5940 @code{set print address on}:
5945 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5947 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5951 @item set print address off
5952 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5953 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5957 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5959 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5960 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5964 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5965 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5966 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5967 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5970 @item show print address
5971 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5974 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5975 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5976 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5977 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5978 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5979 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5980 it prints a symbolic address:
5983 @item set print symbol-filename on
5984 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
5985 @cindex symbol, source file and line
5986 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5987 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5989 @item set print symbol-filename off
5990 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5993 @item show print symbol-filename
5994 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5995 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5998 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5999 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
6000 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
6002 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
6003 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
6006 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
6007 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
6008 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
6009 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
6010 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
6011 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
6013 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
6014 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
6018 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
6019 @cindex pointer, finding referent
6020 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
6021 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
6022 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
6023 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
6024 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
6025 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
6028 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
6029 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
6030 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
6034 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
6035 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
6036 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
6039 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
6042 @item set print array
6043 @itemx set print array on
6044 @cindex pretty print arrays
6045 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
6046 but uses more space. The default is off.
6048 @item set print array off
6049 Return to compressed format for arrays.
6051 @item show print array
6052 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
6055 @cindex print array indexes
6056 @item set print array-indexes
6057 @itemx set print array-indexes on
6058 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
6059 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
6060 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
6062 @item set print array-indexes off
6063 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
6065 @item show print array-indexes
6066 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
6069 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
6070 @cindex number of array elements to print
6071 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
6072 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
6073 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
6074 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
6075 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
6076 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
6077 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
6079 @item show print elements
6080 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
6081 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
6083 @item set print repeats
6084 @cindex repeated array elements
6085 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
6086 elelments. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
6087 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
6088 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
6089 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
6090 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
6091 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
6093 @item show print repeats
6094 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
6097 @item set print null-stop
6098 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
6099 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
6100 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
6101 contain only short strings.
6104 @item show print null-stop
6105 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
6106 @sc{null} character.
6108 @item set print pretty on
6109 @cindex print structures in indented form
6110 @cindex indentation in structure display
6111 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
6112 per line, like this:
6127 @item set print pretty off
6128 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
6132 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
6133 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
6138 This is the default format.
6140 @item show print pretty
6141 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
6143 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
6144 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
6145 @cindex octal escapes in strings
6146 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
6147 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
6148 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
6149 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
6150 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
6152 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
6153 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
6154 international character sets, and is the default.
6156 @item show print sevenbit-strings
6157 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
6159 @item set print union on
6160 @cindex unions in structures, printing
6161 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
6162 and other unions. This is the default setting.
6164 @item set print union off
6165 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
6166 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
6169 @item show print union
6170 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
6171 structures and other unions.
6173 For example, given the declarations
6176 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
6177 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
6178 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
6189 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
6193 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
6196 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
6200 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
6203 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
6207 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
6213 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
6216 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
6217 @item set print demangle
6218 @itemx set print demangle on
6219 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
6220 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
6221 linkage. The default is on.
6223 @item show print demangle
6224 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
6226 @item set print asm-demangle
6227 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
6228 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
6229 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
6232 @item show print asm-demangle
6233 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
6236 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
6237 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
6238 @kindex set demangle-style
6239 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
6240 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
6241 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
6245 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
6248 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
6249 This is the default.
6252 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
6255 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
6258 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
6259 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
6260 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
6261 require further enhancement to permit that.
6264 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
6266 @item show demangle-style
6267 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
6269 @item set print object
6270 @itemx set print object on
6271 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
6272 @cindex display derived types
6273 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
6274 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
6275 the virtual function table.
6277 @item set print object off
6278 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
6279 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
6281 @item show print object
6282 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
6284 @item set print static-members
6285 @itemx set print static-members on
6286 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
6287 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
6289 @item set print static-members off
6290 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
6292 @item show print static-members
6293 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
6295 @item set print pascal_static-members
6296 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
6297 @cindex static members of Pacal objects
6298 @cindex Pacal objects, static members display
6299 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
6301 @item set print pascal_static-members off
6302 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
6304 @item show print pascal_static-members
6305 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
6307 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
6308 @item set print vtbl
6309 @itemx set print vtbl on
6310 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
6311 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
6312 @cindex VTBL display
6313 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
6314 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
6315 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
6317 @item set print vtbl off
6318 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
6320 @item show print vtbl
6321 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
6325 @section Value history
6327 @cindex value history
6328 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
6329 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
6330 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
6331 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
6332 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
6333 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
6334 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
6339 @cindex history number
6340 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
6341 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
6342 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
6343 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
6346 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
6347 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
6348 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
6349 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
6350 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
6351 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
6352 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
6354 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
6355 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
6361 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
6362 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
6369 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
6370 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
6372 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
6373 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
6381 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
6382 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
6387 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
6388 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
6389 values} does not change the history.
6391 @item show values @var{n}
6392 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
6395 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
6396 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
6399 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
6400 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
6402 @node Convenience Vars
6403 @section Convenience variables
6405 @cindex convenience variables
6406 @cindex user-defined variables
6407 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
6408 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
6409 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
6410 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
6411 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
6413 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
6414 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
6415 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
6416 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
6417 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
6419 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
6420 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
6424 set $foo = *object_ptr
6428 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
6431 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
6432 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
6433 value with another assignment at any time.
6435 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
6436 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
6437 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
6438 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
6441 @kindex show convenience
6442 @cindex show all user variables
6443 @item show convenience
6444 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
6445 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
6447 @kindex init-if-undefined
6448 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
6449 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
6450 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
6451 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
6452 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
6453 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
6454 override default values used in a command script.
6456 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
6457 any side-effects do not occur.
6460 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
6461 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
6462 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
6466 print bar[$i++]->contents
6470 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
6472 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
6473 values likely to be useful.
6476 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
6478 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
6479 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
6480 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
6481 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
6482 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
6483 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
6484 to the type of @code{$__}.
6486 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
6488 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
6489 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
6490 to match the format in which the data was printed.
6493 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
6494 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
6495 the program being debugged terminates.
6498 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
6499 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
6500 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
6506 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
6507 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
6508 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
6512 @kindex info registers
6513 @item info registers
6514 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
6515 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
6517 @kindex info all-registers
6518 @cindex floating point registers
6519 @item info all-registers
6520 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
6521 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
6523 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
6524 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
6525 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
6526 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
6527 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
6530 @cindex stack pointer register
6531 @cindex program counter register
6532 @cindex process status register
6533 @cindex frame pointer register
6534 @cindex standard registers
6535 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
6536 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
6537 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
6538 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
6539 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
6540 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
6541 register that contains the processor status. For example,
6542 you could print the program counter in hex with
6549 or print the instruction to be executed next with
6556 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
6557 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
6558 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
6559 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
6560 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
6561 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
6562 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
6568 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
6569 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
6570 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
6571 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
6572 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
6573 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
6574 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
6576 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
6577 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
6578 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
6579 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
6580 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
6581 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
6582 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
6584 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
6585 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
6586 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
6587 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
6588 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
6589 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
6590 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
6591 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
6592 prints the data in both formats.
6594 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
6595 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
6596 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
6597 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
6598 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
6599 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
6600 registers in @code{struct} notation:
6603 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
6605 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
6606 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
6607 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
6608 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
6609 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
6610 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
6611 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
6616 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
6617 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
6618 value to a @code{struct} member:
6621 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
6624 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
6625 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
6626 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
6627 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
6628 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
6629 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
6631 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
6632 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
6633 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
6634 frame makes no difference.
6636 @node Floating Point Hardware
6637 @section Floating point hardware
6638 @cindex floating point
6640 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
6641 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
6646 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
6647 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
6648 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
6649 the ARM and x86 machines.
6653 @section Vector Unit
6656 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
6657 more information about the status of the vector unit.
6662 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
6663 layout vary depending on the hardware.
6666 @node OS Information
6667 @section Operating system auxiliary information
6668 @cindex OS information
6670 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
6671 you debug your program.
6673 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
6674 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
6675 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
6676 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
6677 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
6678 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
6679 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
6685 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
6686 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
6687 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
6688 the @code{examine} command.
6691 @cindex auxiliary vector
6692 @cindex vector, auxiliary
6693 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
6694 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
6695 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
6696 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
6697 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
6698 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
6699 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
6700 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
6701 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
6702 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see @ref{Remote
6703 configuration, auxiliary vector}.
6708 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
6709 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
6710 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
6711 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
6712 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
6713 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
6714 an unrecognized tag.
6718 @node Memory Region Attributes
6719 @section Memory region attributes
6720 @cindex memory region attributes
6722 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
6723 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses attributes
6724 to determine whether to allow certain types of memory accesses; whether to
6725 use specific width accesses; and whether to cache target memory.
6727 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
6728 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
6729 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
6730 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
6733 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
6734 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
6738 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
6739 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
6740 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
6741 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
6742 case: it is treated as the the target's maximum memory address.
6743 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
6746 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6747 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
6748 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
6751 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6752 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
6753 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
6754 It may be enabled again later.
6757 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6758 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
6762 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
6766 @item Memory Region Number
6767 @item Enabled or Disabled.
6768 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
6769 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
6772 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
6775 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
6778 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
6783 @subsection Attributes
6785 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
6786 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
6787 write accesses to a memory region.
6789 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
6790 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
6791 etc.@: from accessing memory.
6795 Memory is read only.
6797 Memory is write only.
6799 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
6802 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
6803 The acccess size attributes tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
6804 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
6805 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
6806 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
6810 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
6812 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
6814 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
6816 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
6819 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
6820 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
6821 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
6822 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
6826 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
6827 @c @item swbreak (default)
6830 @subsubsection Data Cache
6831 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
6832 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
6833 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
6834 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
6839 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
6841 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
6844 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
6845 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
6846 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
6850 @c @item noverify (default)
6853 @node Dump/Restore Files
6854 @section Copy between memory and a file
6855 @cindex dump/restore files
6856 @cindex append data to a file
6857 @cindex dump data to a file
6858 @cindex restore data from a file
6860 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
6861 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
6862 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
6863 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
6864 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
6865 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
6871 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
6872 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
6873 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
6874 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
6876 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
6883 Motorola S-record format.
6885 Tektronix Hex format.
6888 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
6889 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
6890 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
6894 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
6895 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
6896 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
6897 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
6898 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
6901 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
6902 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
6903 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
6904 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
6905 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
6907 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
6908 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
6909 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
6910 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
6913 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
6914 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
6915 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
6916 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
6920 @node Core File Generation
6921 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
6922 @cindex dump core from inferior
6924 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
6925 image of a running process and its process status (register values
6926 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
6927 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
6928 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
6929 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
6930 the post-mortem debugging mode.
6932 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
6933 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
6934 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
6938 @kindex generate-core-file
6939 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
6940 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
6941 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
6942 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
6943 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
6944 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
6946 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
6947 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
6950 @node Character Sets
6951 @section Character Sets
6952 @cindex character sets
6954 @cindex translating between character sets
6955 @cindex host character set
6956 @cindex target character set
6958 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
6959 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
6960 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
6961 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
6962 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
6963 @dfn{target character set}.
6965 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
6966 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
6967 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote,Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
6968 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
6969 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
6970 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
6971 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
6972 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
6973 character and string literals in expressions.
6975 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
6976 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
6977 target-charset} command, described below.
6979 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
6983 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
6984 @kindex set target-charset
6985 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. We list the
6986 character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, but if you type
6987 @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will
6988 list the target character sets it supports.
6992 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
6993 @kindex set host-charset
6994 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
6996 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
6997 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
6998 @code{set host-charset} command.
7000 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
7001 set. We list the character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, and
7002 indicate which can be host character sets, but if you type
7003 @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will
7004 list the host character sets it supports.
7006 @item set charset @var{charset}
7008 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
7009 above, if you type @code{set charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
7010 @value{GDBN} will list the name of the character sets that can be used
7011 for both host and target.
7015 @kindex show charset
7016 Show the names of the current host and target charsets.
7018 @itemx show host-charset
7019 @kindex show host-charset
7020 Show the name of the current host charset.
7022 @itemx show target-charset
7023 @kindex show target-charset
7024 Show the name of the current target charset.
7028 @value{GDBN} currently includes support for the following character
7034 @cindex ASCII character set
7035 Seven-bit U.S. @sc{ascii}. @value{GDBN} can use this as its host
7039 @cindex ISO 8859-1 character set
7040 @cindex ISO Latin 1 character set
7041 The ISO Latin 1 character set. This extends @sc{ascii} with accented
7042 characters needed for French, German, and Spanish. @value{GDBN} can use
7043 this as its host character set.
7047 @cindex EBCDIC character set
7048 @cindex IBM1047 character set
7049 Variants of the @sc{ebcdic} character set, used on some of IBM's
7050 mainframe operating systems. (@sc{gnu}/Linux on the S/390 uses U.S. @sc{ascii}.)
7051 @value{GDBN} cannot use these as its host character set.
7055 Note that these are all single-byte character sets. More work inside
7056 GDB is needed to support multi-byte or variable-width character
7057 encodings, like the UTF-8 and UCS-2 encodings of Unicode.
7059 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
7060 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
7061 @file{charset-test.c}:
7067 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
7068 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
7069 char ibm1047_hello[]
7070 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
7071 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
7075 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7079 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
7080 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
7081 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
7083 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
7086 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
7087 $ gdb -nw charset-test
7088 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
7089 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7094 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
7095 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
7099 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
7100 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
7104 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
7105 initial character set:
7107 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
7108 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
7109 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
7113 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
7114 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
7115 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
7116 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
7117 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
7120 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
7121 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
7122 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
7127 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
7128 literals you use in expressions:
7131 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
7136 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
7139 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
7140 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
7141 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
7144 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
7145 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
7146 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
7151 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
7152 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
7155 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
7156 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
7157 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
7160 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
7161 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
7162 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
7163 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
7164 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
7167 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
7168 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
7169 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
7170 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
7171 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
7172 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
7173 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
7175 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
7176 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
7177 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
7182 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
7183 string literals you use in expressions:
7186 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
7191 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
7194 @node Caching Remote Data
7195 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
7196 @cindex caching data of remote targets
7198 @value{GDBN} can cache data exchanged between the debugger and a
7199 remote target (@pxref{Remote}). Such caching generally improves
7200 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
7201 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately,
7202 @value{GDBN} does not currently know anything about volatile
7203 registers, and thus data caching will produce incorrect results when
7204 volatile registers are in use.
7207 @kindex set remotecache
7208 @item set remotecache on
7209 @itemx set remotecache off
7210 Set caching state for remote targets. When @code{ON}, use data
7211 caching. By default, this option is @code{OFF}.
7213 @kindex show remotecache
7214 @item show remotecache
7215 Show the current state of data caching for remote targets.
7219 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
7220 information displayed includes: the dcache width and depth; and for
7221 each cache line, how many times it was referenced, and its data and
7222 state (dirty, bad, ok, etc.). This command is useful for debugging
7223 the data cache operation.
7228 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
7230 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
7231 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
7232 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
7233 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
7234 where it was defined.
7236 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
7237 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
7238 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
7239 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
7241 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
7242 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
7243 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
7244 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
7245 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
7246 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
7249 At the moment, @value{GDBN} does not support the @code{##}
7250 token-splicing operator, the @code{#} stringification operator, or
7251 variable-arity macros.
7253 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
7254 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
7255 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
7259 @kindex macro expand
7260 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
7261 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
7262 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
7263 @item macro expand @var{expression}
7264 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
7265 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
7266 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
7267 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
7268 it can be any string of tokens.
7271 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
7272 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
7273 @cindex expand macro once
7274 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
7275 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
7276 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
7277 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
7278 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
7279 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
7280 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
7281 can be any string of tokens.
7284 @cindex macro definition, showing
7285 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
7286 @item info macro @var{macro}
7287 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
7288 source location where that definition was established.
7290 @kindex macro define
7291 @cindex user-defined macros
7292 @cindex defining macros interactively
7293 @cindex macros, user-defined
7294 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
7295 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
7296 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Introduce a definition for a
7297 preprocessor macro named @var{macro}, invocations of which are replaced
7298 by the tokens given in @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this
7299 command defines an ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the
7300 second form defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments
7301 given in @var{arglist}.
7303 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every expression
7304 evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the @command{macro
7305 undef} command, described below. The definition overrides all
7306 definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged, as
7307 well as any previous user-supplied definition.
7310 @item macro undef @var{macro}
7311 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Remove any user-supplied
7312 definition for the macro named @var{macro}. This command only affects
7313 definitions provided with the @command{macro define} command, described
7314 above; it cannot remove definitions present in the program being
7319 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} List all the macros
7320 defined using the @code{macro define} command.
7323 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
7324 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
7325 show our source files:
7333 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7338 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7340 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7342 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
7349 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
7350 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
7351 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
7355 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
7359 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
7363 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
7364 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7365 GDB is free software, @dots{}
7369 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
7370 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
7371 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
7374 (@value{GDBP}) list main
7377 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7382 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7384 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7385 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
7386 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
7387 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7388 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
7389 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
7390 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
7392 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
7393 expands to: (42 + 1)
7394 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
7395 expands to: once (M + 1)
7399 In the example above, note that @command{macro expand-once} expands only
7400 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
7401 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
7402 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
7404 Once the program is running, GDB uses the macro definitions in force at
7405 the source line of the current stack frame:
7408 (@value{GDBP}) break main
7409 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
7411 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
7413 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
7414 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7418 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
7421 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7422 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
7424 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
7426 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
7431 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
7432 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
7433 thereof) in force at each point:
7438 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7439 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7440 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
7441 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
7444 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
7445 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7446 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
7448 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
7449 expands to: 1729 < 42
7450 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
7457 @chapter Tracepoints
7458 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
7459 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
7462 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
7463 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
7464 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
7465 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
7466 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
7467 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
7468 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
7470 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
7471 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
7472 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
7473 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
7474 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
7475 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
7476 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
7477 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
7478 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
7479 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
7480 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
7482 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
7483 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
7484 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
7485 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
7486 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
7487 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
7490 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
7494 * Analyze Collected Data::
7495 * Tracepoint Variables::
7498 @node Set Tracepoints
7499 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
7501 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
7502 tracepoints can be set. Like a breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), a
7503 tracepoint has a number assigned to it by @value{GDBN}. Like with
7504 breakpoints, tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from
7505 one. Many of the commands associated with tracepoints take the
7506 tracepoint number as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to
7509 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
7510 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
7511 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
7512 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
7513 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
7516 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
7517 conditions and actions.
7520 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
7521 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
7522 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
7523 * Tracepoint Actions::
7524 * Listing Tracepoints::
7525 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment::
7528 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
7529 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
7532 @cindex set tracepoint
7535 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
7536 Its argument can be a source line, a function name, or an address in
7537 the target program. @xref{Set Breaks}. The @code{trace} command
7538 defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the target program where the
7539 debugger will briefly stop, collect some data, and then allow the
7540 program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or changing its commands
7541 doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart} command; thus, you
7542 cannot change the tracepoint attributes once a trace experiment is
7545 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
7548 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
7550 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
7552 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
7554 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
7556 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
7560 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
7563 @cindex last tracepoint number
7564 @cindex recent tracepoint number
7565 @cindex tracepoint number
7566 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
7567 of the most recently set tracepoint.
7569 @kindex delete tracepoint
7570 @cindex tracepoint deletion
7571 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7572 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
7573 default is to delete all tracepoints.
7578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
7580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
7584 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
7587 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
7588 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
7591 @kindex disable tracepoint
7592 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7593 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
7594 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
7595 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
7596 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
7598 @kindex enable tracepoint
7599 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7600 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
7601 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
7605 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
7606 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
7610 @cindex tracepoint pass count
7611 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
7612 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
7613 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
7614 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
7615 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
7616 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
7617 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
7618 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
7624 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
7625 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
7627 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
7628 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
7629 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
7630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
7631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
7632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
7633 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
7634 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
7635 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
7636 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
7637 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
7641 @node Tracepoint Actions
7642 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
7646 @cindex tracepoint actions
7647 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7648 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
7649 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
7650 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
7651 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
7652 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
7653 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
7654 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
7655 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
7656 @code{while-stepping}.
7658 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
7659 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
7660 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
7663 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
7665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
7667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
7670 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
7671 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
7672 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
7673 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
7674 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
7675 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
7676 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
7680 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
7681 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7682 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
7691 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
7692 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
7693 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
7694 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
7695 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
7696 special arguments are supported:
7700 collect all registers
7703 collect all function arguments
7706 collect all local variables.
7709 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
7710 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
7711 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
7713 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
7714 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
7716 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
7717 @item while-stepping @var{n}
7718 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
7719 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
7720 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
7721 its own @code{end} command):
7725 > collect $regs, myglobal
7731 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
7735 @node Listing Tracepoints
7736 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
7739 @kindex info tracepoints
7741 @cindex information about tracepoints
7742 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7743 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't specify
7744 a tracepoint number, displays information about all the tracepoints
7745 defined so far. For each tracepoint, the following information is
7752 whether it is enabled or disabled
7756 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
7758 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
7760 where in the source files is the tracepoint set
7762 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command
7766 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
7767 Num Enb Address PassC StepC What
7768 1 y 0x002117c4 0 0 <gdb_asm>
7769 2 y 0x0020dc64 0 0 in g_test at g_test.c:1375
7770 3 y 0x0020b1f4 0 0 in get_data at ../foo.c:41
7775 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
7778 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
7779 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
7783 @cindex start a new trace experiment
7784 @cindex collected data discarded
7786 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
7787 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
7788 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
7792 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
7794 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
7795 stops collecting data.
7797 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
7798 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
7799 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
7802 @cindex status of trace data collection
7803 @cindex trace experiment, status of
7805 This command displays the status of the current trace data
7809 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
7812 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
7813 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7814 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
7815 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
7820 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
7821 [time passes @dots{}]
7822 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
7826 @node Analyze Collected Data
7827 @section Using the collected data
7829 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
7830 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
7831 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
7832 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
7833 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
7834 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
7835 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
7836 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
7837 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
7838 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
7839 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
7840 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
7841 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
7842 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
7843 the buffer will fail.
7846 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
7847 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
7848 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
7852 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
7855 @cindex select trace snapshot
7856 @cindex find trace snapshot
7857 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
7858 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
7859 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
7860 snapshot is selected.
7862 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
7866 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
7867 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
7870 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
7873 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
7876 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
7879 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
7880 retracing earlier steps.
7882 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
7883 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
7884 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
7885 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
7886 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
7888 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
7889 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
7890 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
7891 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
7892 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
7894 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
7895 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
7898 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
7899 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
7900 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
7902 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
7903 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
7904 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
7905 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
7906 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
7907 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
7908 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
7909 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
7912 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
7913 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
7914 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
7915 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
7916 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
7917 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
7918 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
7919 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
7920 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
7921 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
7922 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
7923 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
7924 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
7925 tracepoint as the current one.
7927 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
7928 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
7929 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
7930 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
7931 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
7934 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7935 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
7936 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
7937 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
7941 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
7942 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
7943 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
7944 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
7945 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
7946 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
7947 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
7948 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
7949 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
7950 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
7951 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
7954 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
7958 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7959 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
7960 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
7970 @subsection @code{tdump}
7972 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
7973 @cindex tracepoint data, display
7975 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
7976 the current trace snapshot.
7979 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
7980 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7981 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
7982 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
7985 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
7987 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
7988 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
7990 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
7992 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
7993 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
7994 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
7998 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
8003 a1 0x3000668 50333288
8006 a4 0x3000698 50333336
8008 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
8009 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
8011 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
8015 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
8022 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
8027 @node save-tracepoints
8028 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
8029 @kindex save-tracepoints
8030 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
8032 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
8033 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
8034 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
8035 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
8038 @node Tracepoint Variables
8039 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
8040 @cindex tracepoint variables
8041 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
8044 @vindex $trace_frame
8045 @item (int) $trace_frame
8046 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
8047 snapshot is selected.
8050 @item (int) $tracepoint
8051 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
8054 @item (int) $trace_line
8055 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
8058 @item (char []) $trace_file
8059 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
8062 @item (char []) $trace_func
8063 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
8066 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
8067 use @code{output} instead.
8069 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
8070 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
8074 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
8076 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
8077 > output $trace_file
8078 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
8084 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
8087 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
8088 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
8089 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
8093 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
8094 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
8095 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
8096 mapped by asking the inferior.
8097 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
8100 @node How Overlays Work
8101 @section How Overlays Work
8102 @cindex mapped overlays
8103 @cindex unmapped overlays
8104 @cindex load address, overlay's
8105 @cindex mapped address
8106 @cindex overlay area
8108 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
8109 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
8110 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
8111 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
8112 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
8114 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
8115 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
8116 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
8117 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
8118 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
8119 largest overlay as well.
8121 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
8122 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
8123 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
8126 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
8127 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
8128 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
8132 Data Instruction Larger
8133 Address Space Address Space Address Space
8134 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
8136 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
8137 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
8138 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
8139 | and heap | | | | | |
8140 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
8141 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
8142 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
8144 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
8146 | overlay | <-' | | |
8147 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
8148 | | <---. | | load address
8149 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
8156 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
8160 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
8161 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
8162 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
8163 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
8164 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
8165 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
8166 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
8167 program and the overlay area.
8169 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
8170 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
8171 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
8172 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
8173 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
8174 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
8175 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
8177 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
8178 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
8179 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
8184 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
8185 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
8186 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
8187 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
8190 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
8191 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
8192 your program's performance.
8195 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
8196 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
8197 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
8198 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
8199 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
8200 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
8201 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
8204 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
8205 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
8206 instruction and data spaces.
8210 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
8211 improved in many ways:
8216 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
8217 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
8218 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
8219 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
8220 area in the usual way.
8223 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
8224 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
8227 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
8228 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
8229 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
8230 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
8231 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
8232 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
8233 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
8238 @node Overlay Commands
8239 @section Overlay Commands
8241 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
8242 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
8243 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
8244 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
8245 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
8246 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
8248 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
8249 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
8254 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
8255 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
8256 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
8257 overlay support is disabled.
8259 @item overlay manual
8260 @cindex manual overlay debugging
8261 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
8262 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
8263 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
8264 commands described below.
8266 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
8267 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
8268 @cindex map an overlay
8269 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
8270 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
8271 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
8272 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
8273 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
8274 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
8276 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
8277 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
8278 @cindex unmap an overlay
8279 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
8280 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
8281 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
8282 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
8285 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
8286 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
8287 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
8290 @item overlay load-target
8292 @cindex reloading the overlay table
8293 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
8294 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
8295 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
8296 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
8297 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
8299 @item overlay list-overlays
8301 @cindex listing mapped overlays
8302 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
8303 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
8307 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
8308 of the function the address falls in:
8311 (@value{GDBP}) print main
8312 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
8315 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
8316 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
8317 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
8318 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
8321 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
8322 No sections are mapped.
8323 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
8324 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
8327 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
8331 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
8332 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
8333 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
8334 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
8335 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
8338 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
8339 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
8340 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
8341 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
8342 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
8346 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
8347 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
8348 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
8349 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
8351 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
8352 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
8353 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
8354 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
8355 breakpoints properly.
8359 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
8360 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
8361 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
8363 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
8364 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
8365 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
8366 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
8367 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
8368 current state of the overlays.
8370 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
8371 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
8375 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
8376 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
8381 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
8384 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
8387 /* The overlay's load address. */
8390 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
8392 unsigned long mapped;
8396 @item @code{_novlys}:
8397 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
8398 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
8402 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
8403 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
8404 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
8405 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
8406 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
8409 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
8410 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
8411 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
8412 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
8413 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
8414 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
8415 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
8416 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
8417 are not being executed.
8419 @node Overlay Sample Program
8420 @section Overlay Sample Program
8421 @cindex overlay example program
8423 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
8424 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
8425 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
8426 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
8427 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
8428 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
8429 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
8431 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
8432 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
8433 suite. The program consists of the following files from
8434 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
8438 The main program file.
8440 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
8445 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
8448 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
8449 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
8452 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
8453 cross-compiler like this:
8456 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
8457 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
8458 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
8459 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
8460 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
8461 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
8462 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
8463 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
8466 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
8467 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
8468 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
8472 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
8475 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
8476 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
8477 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
8478 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
8479 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
8480 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
8482 @cindex working language
8483 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
8484 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
8485 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
8486 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
8487 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
8491 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
8492 * Show:: Displaying the language
8493 * Checks:: Type and range checks
8494 * Supported languages:: Supported languages
8495 * Unsupported languages:: Unsupported languages
8499 @section Switching between source languages
8501 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
8502 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
8503 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
8504 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
8505 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
8508 In addition to the working language, every source file that
8509 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
8510 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
8511 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
8512 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
8513 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
8514 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
8515 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
8516 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
8517 Displaying the language}.
8519 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
8520 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
8521 another language. In that case, make the
8522 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
8523 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
8524 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
8527 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
8528 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
8529 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
8533 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
8535 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
8536 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
8557 Objective-C source file
8564 Modula-2 source file
8568 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
8569 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
8572 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
8573 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
8576 @subsection Setting the working language
8578 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
8579 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
8582 @kindex set language
8583 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
8584 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
8586 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
8587 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
8589 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
8590 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
8591 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
8592 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
8593 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
8594 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
8602 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
8603 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
8604 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
8605 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
8608 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
8610 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
8611 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
8612 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
8613 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
8614 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
8615 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
8616 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
8617 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
8618 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
8620 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
8621 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
8622 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
8623 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
8624 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
8627 @section Displaying the language
8629 The following commands help you find out which language is the
8630 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
8634 @kindex show language
8635 Display the current working language. This is the
8636 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
8637 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
8640 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
8641 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
8642 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
8643 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
8644 information listed here.
8647 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
8648 Display the source language of this source file.
8649 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
8650 information listed here.
8653 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
8654 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
8655 with a language explicitly:
8658 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
8659 @kindex set extension-language
8660 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
8661 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
8663 @item info extensions
8664 @kindex info extensions
8665 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
8669 @section Type and range checking
8672 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
8673 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
8674 section documents the intended facilities.
8676 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
8678 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
8679 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
8680 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
8681 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
8682 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
8683 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
8684 errors when your program is running.
8686 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
8687 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
8688 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
8689 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
8690 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
8691 automatically based on your program's source language.
8692 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default
8693 settings of supported languages.
8696 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
8697 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
8700 @cindex type checking
8701 @cindex checks, type
8703 @subsection An overview of type checking
8705 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
8706 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
8707 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
8708 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
8716 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
8717 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
8719 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
8720 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
8721 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
8722 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
8723 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
8724 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
8725 also issues a warning.
8727 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
8728 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
8729 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
8730 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
8731 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
8732 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
8734 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
8735 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
8736 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
8737 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
8738 operators. @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for further
8739 details on specific languages.
8741 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
8743 @kindex set check type
8744 @kindex show check type
8746 @item set check type auto
8747 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
8748 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
8751 @item set check type on
8752 @itemx set check type off
8753 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
8754 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
8755 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
8756 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
8757 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
8759 @item set check type warn
8760 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
8761 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
8762 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
8763 numbers and structures.
8766 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
8767 is setting it automatically.
8770 @cindex range checking
8771 @cindex checks, range
8772 @node Range Checking
8773 @subsection An overview of range checking
8775 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
8776 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
8777 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
8778 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
8779 not exceed the bounds of the array.
8781 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
8782 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
8783 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
8784 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
8786 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
8787 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
8788 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
8789 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
8790 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
8791 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
8794 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
8797 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
8798 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported languages, ,
8799 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
8801 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
8803 @kindex set check range
8804 @kindex show check range
8806 @item set check range auto
8807 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
8808 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
8811 @item set check range on
8812 @itemx set check range off
8813 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
8814 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
8815 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
8816 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
8818 @item set check range warn
8819 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
8820 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
8821 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
8822 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
8826 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
8827 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
8830 @node Supported languages
8831 @section Supported languages
8833 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
8834 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
8835 @c This is false ...
8836 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
8837 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
8838 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
8839 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
8842 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
8843 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
8844 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
8845 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
8846 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
8847 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
8848 language reference or tutorial.
8852 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
8855 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
8860 @subsection C and C@t{++}
8862 @cindex C and C@t{++}
8863 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
8865 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
8866 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
8870 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
8871 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
8872 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
8873 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
8874 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
8875 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
8876 compiler (@code{aCC}).
8878 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
8879 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
8880 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
8881 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
8882 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
8883 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}.
8886 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
8887 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
8888 * C plus plus expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
8889 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
8890 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
8891 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
8892 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
8896 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} operators
8898 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
8900 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
8901 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
8902 often defined on groups of types.
8904 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
8909 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
8910 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
8913 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
8914 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
8917 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
8920 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
8925 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
8926 in order of increasing precedence:
8930 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
8931 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
8932 expression being the last expression evaluated.
8935 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
8936 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
8939 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
8940 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
8941 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
8942 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
8943 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
8946 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
8947 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
8951 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8954 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
8957 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8960 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8963 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
8966 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
8967 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
8969 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
8970 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
8971 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
8972 and non-zero for true.
8975 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
8978 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
8981 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
8984 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
8985 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
8986 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
8990 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
8991 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
8992 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
8993 operation takes place.
8996 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
9000 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
9002 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
9003 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
9004 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
9005 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
9009 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
9010 precedence as @code{++}.
9013 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
9017 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
9022 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
9023 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
9024 pointer based on the stored type information.
9025 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
9028 Dereferences of pointers to members.
9031 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
9032 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
9035 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
9038 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
9039 and @code{class} types.
9042 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
9043 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
9047 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
9048 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
9056 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} constants
9058 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
9060 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
9065 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
9066 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
9067 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
9068 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
9072 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
9073 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
9074 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
9075 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
9076 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
9077 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
9078 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
9079 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
9080 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
9084 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
9085 integral equivalents.
9088 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
9089 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
9090 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
9091 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
9092 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
9093 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
9094 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
9095 @samp{\n} for newline.
9098 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
9099 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
9100 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
9101 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
9105 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
9106 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
9109 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
9110 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
9111 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
9112 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
9116 * C plus plus expressions::
9123 @node C plus plus expressions
9124 @subsubsection C@t{++} expressions
9126 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
9127 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
9129 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
9130 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
9131 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
9132 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
9134 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
9135 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
9136 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
9137 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
9138 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
9139 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
9140 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
9141 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
9142 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
9148 @cindex member functions
9150 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
9153 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
9156 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
9157 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
9159 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
9160 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
9161 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
9162 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
9164 @cindex call overloaded functions
9165 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
9166 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
9168 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
9169 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
9170 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
9171 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
9172 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
9175 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
9176 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
9177 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
9178 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
9179 number of function arguments.
9181 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
9182 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
9183 ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
9185 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
9186 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
9188 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
9191 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
9192 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
9194 @cindex reference declarations
9196 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
9197 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
9200 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
9201 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
9202 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
9203 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
9204 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
9207 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
9208 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
9209 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
9210 necessary, for example in an expression like
9211 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
9212 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
9213 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
9216 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
9217 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
9218 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
9219 invoking user-defined operators.
9222 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} defaults
9224 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
9226 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
9227 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
9228 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
9229 selects the working language.
9231 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
9232 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
9233 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
9234 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
9235 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
9236 for further details.
9238 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
9239 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
9240 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
9243 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} type and range checks
9245 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
9247 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
9248 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
9249 considers two variables type equivalent if:
9253 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
9257 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
9258 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
9261 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
9264 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
9265 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
9270 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
9271 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
9272 that is not itself an array.
9275 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
9277 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
9278 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
9279 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
9280 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
9282 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
9283 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
9287 * Debugging C plus plus::
9290 @node Debugging C plus plus
9291 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
9293 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
9295 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
9296 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
9299 @cindex break in overloaded functions
9300 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
9301 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
9302 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
9303 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
9305 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
9306 @item rbreak @var{regex}
9307 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
9308 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
9310 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
9312 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
9315 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
9316 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
9319 @item ptype @var{typename}
9320 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
9322 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
9324 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
9325 @item set print demangle
9326 @itemx show print demangle
9327 @itemx set print asm-demangle
9328 @itemx show print asm-demangle
9329 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
9330 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
9331 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
9333 @item set print object
9334 @itemx show print object
9335 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
9336 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
9338 @item set print vtbl
9339 @itemx show print vtbl
9340 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
9341 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
9342 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9343 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9345 @kindex set overload-resolution
9346 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
9347 @item set overload-resolution on
9348 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
9349 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
9350 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
9351 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C@t{++}
9352 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
9355 @item set overload-resolution off
9356 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
9357 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
9358 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
9359 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
9360 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
9361 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
9364 @kindex show overload-resolution
9365 @item show overload-resolution
9366 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
9368 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
9369 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
9370 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
9371 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
9372 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
9373 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
9374 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
9378 @subsection Objective-C
9381 This section provides information about some commands and command
9382 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
9383 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
9384 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
9387 * Method Names in Commands::
9388 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
9391 @node Method Names in Commands, The Print Command with Objective-C, Objective-C, Objective-C
9392 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
9394 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
9395 names as line specifications:
9397 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
9398 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
9399 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
9400 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
9401 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
9405 @item @code{info line}
9410 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
9413 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
9416 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
9417 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
9418 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
9419 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
9420 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
9421 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
9425 break -[Fruit create]
9428 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
9432 list +[NSText initialize]
9435 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
9436 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
9437 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
9438 is also possible to specify just a method name:
9444 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
9445 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
9446 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
9447 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
9450 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
9451 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
9454 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
9457 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
9458 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
9459 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
9460 @kindex print-object
9461 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
9463 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
9466 print -[@var{object} hash]
9469 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
9470 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
9472 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
9473 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
9474 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
9475 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
9476 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
9477 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
9481 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
9483 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
9484 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
9486 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
9487 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
9488 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
9489 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
9490 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
9494 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
9495 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
9496 * Special Fortran commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
9499 @node Fortran Operators
9500 @subsubsection Fortran operators and expressions
9502 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
9504 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
9505 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
9506 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
9510 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
9514 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
9515 represent a section of array.
9518 @node Fortran Defaults
9519 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
9521 @cindex Fortran Defaults
9523 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
9524 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
9525 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
9526 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
9528 @node Special Fortran commands
9529 @subsubsection Special Fortran commands
9531 @cindex Special Fortran commands
9533 @value{GDBN} had some commands to support Fortran specific feature,
9534 such as common block displaying.
9537 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
9539 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
9540 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
9541 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
9542 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at current program location are
9549 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
9550 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
9551 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
9552 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
9555 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
9556 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
9557 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
9560 @subsection Modula-2
9562 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
9564 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
9565 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
9566 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
9567 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
9568 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
9571 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
9573 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
9574 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
9575 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
9576 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
9577 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
9578 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
9579 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
9580 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
9581 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
9585 @subsubsection Operators
9586 @cindex Modula-2 operators
9588 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
9589 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
9590 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
9591 following definitions hold:
9596 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
9600 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
9603 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
9606 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
9610 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
9613 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
9616 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
9620 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
9621 increasing precedence:
9625 Function argument or array index separator.
9628 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
9632 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
9636 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
9637 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
9638 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
9640 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
9641 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
9642 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
9643 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
9647 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
9648 Same precedence as @code{<}.
9651 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
9654 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
9657 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
9660 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
9661 and difference on set types.
9664 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
9668 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
9669 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
9672 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
9673 precedence as @code{*}.
9676 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
9679 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
9682 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
9686 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
9687 precedence as @code{^}.
9690 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
9693 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
9697 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
9701 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
9702 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
9703 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
9704 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
9708 @node Built-In Func/Proc
9709 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
9710 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
9712 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
9713 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
9718 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
9721 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
9724 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
9727 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
9728 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
9729 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
9732 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
9735 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
9741 represents a variable.
9744 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
9745 explanation of the function for details.
9748 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
9752 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
9755 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
9756 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
9759 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
9762 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
9764 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
9765 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
9768 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
9769 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
9772 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
9773 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
9776 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
9779 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
9781 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
9782 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
9785 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
9786 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
9787 there. Returns the new set.
9790 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
9793 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
9796 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
9799 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
9800 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
9801 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
9802 integral, character and enumerated types.
9805 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
9807 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
9808 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
9810 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
9811 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
9815 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
9816 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
9820 @cindex Modula-2 constants
9822 @subsubsection Constants
9824 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
9830 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
9831 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
9832 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
9833 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
9836 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
9837 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
9838 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
9839 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
9840 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
9844 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
9845 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
9846 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
9847 followed by a @samp{C}.
9850 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
9851 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
9852 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
9853 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
9857 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
9860 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
9864 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
9867 Set constants are not yet supported.
9871 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
9872 @cindex Modula-2 types
9874 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
9875 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
9876 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
9877 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
9878 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
9879 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
9881 The first example contains the following section of code:
9890 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
9891 @code{r} and @code{s}.
9894 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9896 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
9898 (@value{GDBP}) print r
9900 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
9905 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
9913 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
9916 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
9917 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
9921 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
9922 expressions using the debugger.
9924 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
9925 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
9929 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
9933 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
9934 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
9937 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
9938 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
9939 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
9940 above. Unbounded arrays are also not yet recognized in @value{GDBN}.
9942 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
9946 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
9947 t = [blue..yellow] ;
9955 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
9956 and value of a variable.
9959 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9961 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
9962 type = [blue..yellow]
9966 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
9967 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
9968 their @code{C} counterparts.
9972 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
9978 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9979 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
9980 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
9981 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
9984 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
9985 pointer types as shown in this example:
9989 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
9996 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
9999 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
10000 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
10003 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
10004 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
10015 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
10016 myrange = [-2..2] ;
10018 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
10022 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
10026 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
10027 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
10030 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
10035 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
10036 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
10038 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
10039 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
10040 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
10041 selected the working language.
10043 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
10044 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
10045 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
10046 the language automatically}, for further details.
10049 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
10050 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
10052 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
10053 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
10057 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
10058 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
10059 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
10060 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
10061 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
10062 returned a pointer.)
10065 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
10066 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
10067 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
10068 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
10071 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
10075 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
10079 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
10080 @cindex Modula-2 checks
10083 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
10086 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
10088 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
10092 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
10093 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
10096 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
10097 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
10100 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
10101 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
10103 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
10104 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
10107 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
10109 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
10110 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
10112 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
10113 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
10116 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
10119 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
10120 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
10125 @var{module} . @var{id}
10126 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
10130 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
10131 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
10132 identifier within your program, except another module.
10134 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
10135 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
10136 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
10137 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
10139 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
10140 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
10141 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
10142 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
10143 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
10147 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
10149 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
10150 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
10151 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
10152 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
10153 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
10154 analogue in Modula-2.
10156 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
10157 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
10158 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
10159 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
10160 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
10161 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
10163 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
10164 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
10165 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
10171 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
10172 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
10173 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
10174 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
10178 @cindex expressions in Ada
10180 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
10181 and semantics supported by Ada mode
10183 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
10184 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
10185 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
10186 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
10189 @node Ada Mode Intro
10190 @subsubsection Introduction
10191 @cindex Ada mode, general
10193 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
10194 syntax, with some extensions.
10195 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
10199 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
10200 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
10201 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
10202 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
10205 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
10206 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
10209 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
10212 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if there were
10213 implicit @code{with} and @code{use} clauses in effect for all user-written
10214 packages, making it unnecessary to fully qualify most names with
10215 their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes ambiguity,
10216 @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
10218 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
10219 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
10220 was translated from an Ada source file.
10222 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
10223 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
10224 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
10225 middle (to allow based literals).
10227 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
10228 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
10229 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
10230 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
10231 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
10232 functions to procedures elsewhere.
10234 @node Omissions from Ada
10235 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
10236 @cindex Ada, omissions from
10238 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
10242 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
10246 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
10247 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
10250 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
10253 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
10259 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
10260 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
10263 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
10264 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
10272 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
10273 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
10274 not currently available.
10277 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
10278 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
10279 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
10280 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
10281 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
10282 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
10283 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
10284 indeterminate values.
10287 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
10288 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
10289 are not implemented.
10292 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
10293 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
10294 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
10295 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
10296 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
10299 set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
10300 set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
10301 set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
10302 set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
10303 set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
10304 set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
10308 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
10309 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
10310 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
10311 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
10312 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
10313 declared to have a type such as:
10316 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
10318 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
10322 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
10327 set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
10330 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
10331 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
10332 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
10333 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
10334 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
10335 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
10336 redundant component associations, although which component values are
10337 assigned in such cases is not defined.
10340 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
10343 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
10344 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in which a subexpression
10345 appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much looser in its rules for allowing
10346 type matches. As a result, some function calls will be ambiguous, and the user
10347 will be asked to choose the proper resolution.
10350 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
10353 Entry calls are not implemented.
10356 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
10357 formats are not supported.
10360 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
10363 @node Additions to Ada
10364 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
10365 @cindex Ada, deviations from
10367 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
10368 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
10372 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory
10373 (typically a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is
10374 a positive integer, then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of
10375 @var{E} and the @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array.
10376 In Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use
10377 is in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in Ada.
10378 However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs
10379 in which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
10382 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that appears
10383 in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name, you must typically
10384 surround it in single quotes.
10387 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
10388 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
10391 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
10392 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
10395 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright additions specific
10400 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
10401 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
10405 print A(tmp := y + 1)
10409 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
10410 the value of its right-hand operand.
10411 This allows, for example,
10412 complex conditional breaks:
10416 condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
10420 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
10421 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
10422 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
10423 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
10424 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
10425 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
10426 in strings. For example,
10428 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
10431 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF}) after each
10435 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
10436 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
10444 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
10445 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
10446 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound of 3 might print as
10453 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
10457 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
10458 multi-character subsequence of
10459 their names (an exact match gets preference).
10460 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
10461 in place of @t{a'length}.
10464 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
10465 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
10466 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
10467 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
10468 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
10469 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
10472 @value{GDBP} print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
10476 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
10477 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
10478 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
10479 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
10484 @node Stopping Before Main Program
10485 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
10487 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
10488 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
10489 before reaching the main procedure.
10490 As defined in the Ada Reference
10491 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
10492 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
10493 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
10494 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
10497 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
10498 @cindex Ada, problems
10500 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
10501 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
10503 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
10504 and the GNU Ada compiler.
10508 Currently, the debugger
10509 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
10510 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
10511 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
10512 to get it printed properly.
10515 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
10516 storage are invisible to the debugger.
10519 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
10520 argument lists are treated as positional).
10523 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
10526 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
10527 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
10531 The type of the @t{'Address} attribute may not be @code{System.Address}.
10534 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
10535 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
10536 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
10537 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
10538 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
10539 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
10540 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
10541 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
10542 you can usually resolve the confusion
10543 by qualifying the problematic names with package
10544 @code{Standard} explicitly.
10547 @node Unsupported languages
10548 @section Unsupported languages
10550 @cindex unsupported languages
10551 @cindex minimal language
10552 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
10553 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
10554 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
10555 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
10556 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
10557 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
10559 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
10560 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
10564 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
10566 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
10567 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
10568 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
10569 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
10570 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
10571 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
10572 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
10574 @cindex symbol names
10575 @cindex names of symbols
10576 @cindex quoting names
10577 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
10578 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
10579 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
10580 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
10581 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
10582 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
10583 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
10584 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
10591 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
10594 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
10595 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
10596 @kindex set case-sensitive
10597 @item set case-sensitive on
10598 @itemx set case-sensitive off
10599 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
10600 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
10601 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
10602 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
10603 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
10604 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
10605 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
10606 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
10607 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
10608 case-insensitive matches.
10610 @kindex show case-sensitive
10611 @item show case-sensitive
10612 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
10615 @kindex info address
10616 @cindex address of a symbol
10617 @item info address @var{symbol}
10618 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
10619 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
10620 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
10623 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
10624 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
10625 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
10627 @kindex info symbol
10628 @cindex symbol from address
10629 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
10630 @item info symbol @var{addr}
10631 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
10632 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
10633 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
10636 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
10637 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
10641 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
10642 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
10645 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
10646 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
10647 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
10648 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
10649 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
10650 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
10651 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
10652 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
10653 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
10654 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
10655 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10658 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
10659 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
10660 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
10661 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10663 For example, for this variable declaration:
10666 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
10670 the two commands give this output:
10674 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
10675 type = struct complex
10676 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
10677 type = struct complex @{
10685 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
10686 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
10688 @cindex incomplete type
10689 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
10690 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
10691 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
10692 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
10693 given these declarations:
10697 struct foo *fooptr;
10701 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
10704 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
10705 $1 = <incomplete type>
10709 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
10710 completely specified.
10713 @item info types @var{regexp}
10715 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
10716 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
10717 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
10718 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
10719 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
10720 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
10721 name is @code{value}.
10723 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
10724 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
10725 lists all source files where a type is defined.
10728 @cindex local variables
10729 @item info scope @var{location}
10730 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
10731 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
10732 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
10733 to the scope defined by that location. For example:
10736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
10737 Scope for command_line_handler:
10738 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
10739 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
10740 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
10741 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
10742 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
10743 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
10744 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
10748 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
10749 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
10752 @kindex info source
10754 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
10755 the function containing the current point of execution:
10758 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
10760 the directory it was compiled in,
10762 its length, in lines,
10764 which programming language it is written in,
10766 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
10767 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
10769 whether the debugging information includes information about
10770 preprocessor macros.
10774 @kindex info sources
10776 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
10777 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
10778 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
10780 @kindex info functions
10781 @item info functions
10782 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
10784 @item info functions @var{regexp}
10785 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
10786 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
10787 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
10788 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
10789 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
10790 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
10791 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
10793 @kindex info variables
10794 @item info variables
10795 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
10796 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
10798 @item info variables @var{regexp}
10799 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
10800 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
10803 @kindex info classes
10804 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
10806 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
10807 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
10808 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
10811 @kindex info selectors
10812 @item info selectors
10813 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
10814 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
10815 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
10819 This was never implemented.
10820 @kindex info methods
10822 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
10823 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
10824 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
10825 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
10826 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
10827 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
10828 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
10829 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
10832 @cindex reloading symbols
10833 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
10834 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
10835 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
10836 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
10837 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
10840 @kindex set symbol-reloading
10841 @item set symbol-reloading on
10842 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
10843 object file with a particular name is seen again.
10845 @item set symbol-reloading off
10846 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
10847 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
10848 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
10849 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
10850 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
10851 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
10854 @kindex show symbol-reloading
10855 @item show symbol-reloading
10856 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
10859 @cindex opaque data types
10860 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
10861 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
10862 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
10863 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
10864 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
10865 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
10866 another source file. The default is on.
10868 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
10869 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
10871 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
10872 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
10873 is printed as follows:
10875 @{<no data fields>@}
10878 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
10879 @item show opaque-type-resolution
10880 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
10882 @kindex maint print symbols
10883 @cindex symbol dump
10884 @kindex maint print psymbols
10885 @cindex partial symbol dump
10886 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
10887 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
10888 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
10889 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
10890 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
10891 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
10892 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
10893 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
10894 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
10895 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
10896 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
10897 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
10898 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
10899 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
10900 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
10901 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
10902 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
10904 @kindex maint info symtabs
10905 @kindex maint info psymtabs
10906 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
10907 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10908 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10909 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10910 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
10911 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
10913 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
10914 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
10915 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
10916 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
10917 structure in more detail. For example:
10920 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
10921 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
10922 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
10923 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
10924 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
10927 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
10928 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
10929 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
10930 dependencies (none)
10933 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
10937 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
10938 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
10939 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
10940 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
10941 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
10944 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
10945 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
10947 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
10948 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
10949 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
10950 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
10951 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
10954 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
10955 debugformat DWARF 2
10964 @chapter Altering Execution
10966 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
10967 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
10968 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
10969 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
10972 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
10973 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
10974 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
10977 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
10978 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
10979 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
10980 * Returning:: Returning from a function
10981 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
10982 * Patching:: Patching your program
10986 @section Assignment to variables
10989 @cindex setting variables
10990 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
10991 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
10998 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
10999 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
11000 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
11001 information on operators in supported languages.
11003 @kindex set variable
11004 @cindex variables, setting
11005 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
11006 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
11007 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
11008 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
11009 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
11011 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
11012 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
11013 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
11014 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
11015 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
11016 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
11017 command @code{set width}:
11020 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
11022 (@value{GDBP}) p width
11024 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
11025 Invalid syntax in expression.
11029 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
11030 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
11033 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
11036 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
11037 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
11038 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
11039 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
11040 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
11041 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
11045 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
11049 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
11053 The program being debugged has been started already.
11054 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
11055 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
11056 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
11057 Invalid bfd target.
11058 (@value{GDBP}) show g
11059 The current BFD target is "=4".
11064 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
11065 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
11069 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
11072 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
11073 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
11074 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
11075 same length or shorter.
11076 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
11077 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
11079 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
11080 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
11081 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
11082 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
11083 and representation in memory), and
11086 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
11090 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
11093 @section Continuing at a different address
11095 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
11096 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
11097 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
11101 @item jump @var{linespec}
11102 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
11103 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
11104 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
11105 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
11106 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
11109 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
11110 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
11111 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
11112 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
11113 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
11114 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
11115 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
11116 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
11117 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
11119 @item jump *@var{address}
11120 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
11123 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
11124 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
11125 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
11126 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
11127 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
11135 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
11136 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
11137 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
11139 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
11140 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
11141 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
11146 @section Giving your program a signal
11147 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
11151 @item signal @var{signal}
11152 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
11153 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
11154 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
11155 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
11157 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
11158 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
11159 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
11160 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
11163 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
11164 after executing the command.
11168 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
11169 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
11170 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
11171 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
11172 passes the signal directly to your program.
11176 @section Returning from a function
11179 @cindex returning from a function
11182 @itemx return @var{expression}
11183 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
11184 command. If you give an
11185 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
11189 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
11190 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
11191 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
11192 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
11194 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
11195 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
11196 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
11197 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
11200 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
11201 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
11202 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
11203 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
11204 selected stack frame returns naturally.
11207 @section Calling program functions
11210 @cindex calling functions
11211 @cindex inferior functions, calling
11212 @item print @var{expr}
11213 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resuling value.
11214 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
11218 @item call @var{expr}
11219 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
11222 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
11223 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
11224 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
11225 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
11226 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
11230 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
11231 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
11232 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
11233 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
11236 @item set unwindonsignal
11237 @kindex set unwindonsignal
11238 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
11239 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
11240 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
11241 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
11242 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
11243 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
11244 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
11247 @item show unwindonsignal
11248 @kindex show unwindonsignal
11249 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
11253 @cindex weak alias functions
11254 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
11255 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
11256 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
11257 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
11258 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
11259 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
11263 @section Patching programs
11265 @cindex patching binaries
11266 @cindex writing into executables
11267 @cindex writing into corefiles
11269 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
11270 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
11271 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
11272 patching your program's binary.
11274 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
11275 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
11276 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
11282 @itemx set write off
11283 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
11284 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
11285 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
11287 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
11288 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
11289 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
11293 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
11294 as well as reading.
11298 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
11300 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
11301 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
11302 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
11303 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
11306 * Files:: Commands to specify files
11307 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
11308 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
11312 @section Commands to specify files
11314 @cindex symbol table
11315 @cindex core dump file
11317 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
11318 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
11319 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
11320 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
11322 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
11323 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
11324 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
11325 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file}). In these situations the
11326 @value{GDBN} commands to specify new files are useful.
11329 @cindex executable file
11331 @item file @var{filename}
11332 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
11333 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
11334 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
11335 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
11336 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
11337 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
11338 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
11339 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
11341 @cindex unlinked object files
11342 @cindex patching object files
11343 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
11344 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
11345 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
11346 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
11347 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
11348 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
11349 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
11350 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
11353 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
11354 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
11357 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
11358 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
11359 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
11360 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
11361 discard information on the executable file.
11363 @kindex symbol-file
11364 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
11365 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
11366 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
11367 table and program to run from the same file.
11369 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
11370 program's symbol table.
11372 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
11373 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
11374 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
11375 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
11378 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
11381 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
11382 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
11383 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
11384 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
11385 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
11386 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
11389 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
11390 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
11391 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
11392 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
11393 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
11395 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
11396 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
11397 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
11398 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
11399 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
11400 warnings and messages}.)
11402 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
11403 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
11404 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
11405 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
11409 @cindex reading symbols immediately
11410 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
11411 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
11412 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
11413 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
11414 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
11415 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
11416 entire symbol table available.
11418 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
11419 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
11420 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
11421 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
11422 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
11423 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
11427 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
11429 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
11430 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
11431 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
11432 executable file itself for other parts.
11434 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
11437 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
11438 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
11439 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
11440 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
11441 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
11443 @kindex add-symbol-file
11444 @cindex dynamic linking
11445 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
11446 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
11447 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
11448 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
11449 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
11450 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
11451 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
11452 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
11453 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
11454 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
11455 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
11456 @var{address} as an expression.
11458 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
11459 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
11460 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
11461 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
11462 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
11464 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
11465 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
11466 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
11467 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
11468 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
11469 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
11470 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
11471 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
11472 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
11476 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
11477 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
11479 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
11480 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
11482 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
11483 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
11487 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
11488 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
11489 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
11490 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
11491 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
11492 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
11493 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
11494 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
11495 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
11498 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
11500 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
11501 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
11502 @cindex load symbols from memory
11503 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
11504 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
11505 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
11506 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
11507 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
11508 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
11509 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
11510 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
11511 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
11513 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
11515 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
11516 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
11517 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
11518 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
11519 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
11520 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
11521 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
11522 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
11523 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
11524 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
11527 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
11528 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
11529 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
11530 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
11531 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
11532 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
11533 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
11537 @kindex info target
11540 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
11541 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
11542 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
11543 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
11544 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
11547 @kindex maint info sections
11548 @item maint info sections
11549 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
11550 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
11551 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
11552 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
11553 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
11554 may be arbitrarily combined):
11558 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
11559 @item @var{sections}
11560 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
11561 @item @var{section-flags}
11562 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
11563 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
11566 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
11567 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
11569 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
11570 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
11572 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
11574 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
11576 Section contains executable code only.
11578 Section contains data only (no executable code).
11580 Section will reside in ROM.
11582 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
11584 Section is not empty.
11586 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
11587 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
11588 A notification to the linker that the section contains
11589 COFF shared library information.
11591 Section contains common symbols.
11594 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
11595 @cindex read-only sections
11596 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
11597 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
11598 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
11599 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
11600 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
11601 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
11602 enhancement to debugging performance.
11604 The default is off.
11606 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
11607 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
11608 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
11609 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
11611 @item show trust-readonly-sections
11612 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
11615 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
11616 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
11617 name and remembers it that way.
11619 @cindex shared libraries
11620 @value{GDBN} supports GNU/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
11621 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
11623 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
11624 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
11625 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
11626 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
11627 debugging a core file).
11629 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
11630 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
11632 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
11633 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
11634 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
11636 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
11637 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
11638 particularly large or there are many of them.
11640 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
11644 @kindex set auto-solib-add
11645 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
11646 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
11647 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
11648 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
11649 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
11650 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
11651 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
11653 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
11654 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
11655 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
11656 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
11657 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
11658 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
11659 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
11660 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expresion that matches
11661 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
11663 @kindex show auto-solib-add
11664 @item show auto-solib-add
11665 Display the current autoloading mode.
11668 @cindex load shared library
11669 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
11673 @kindex info sharedlibrary
11676 @itemx info sharedlibrary
11677 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
11679 @kindex sharedlibrary
11681 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
11682 @itemx share @var{regex}
11683 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
11684 Unix regular expression.
11685 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
11686 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
11687 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
11690 @item nosharedlibrary
11691 @kindex nosharedlibrary
11692 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
11693 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
11694 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
11695 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
11699 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
11700 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
11701 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
11704 @item set stop-on-solib-events
11705 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
11706 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
11707 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
11708 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
11711 @item show stop-on-solib-events
11712 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
11713 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
11714 library events happen.
11717 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
11718 configurations. A copy of the target's libraries need to be present on the
11719 host system; they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
11720 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
11723 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
11724 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
11725 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
11726 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
11727 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
11730 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
11731 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
11732 @item set solib-absolute-prefix @var{path}
11733 If this variable is set, @var{path} will be used as a prefix for any
11734 absolute shared library paths; many runtime loaders store the absolute
11735 paths to the shared library in the target program's memory. If you use
11736 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to find shared libraries, they need to be laid
11737 out in the same way that they are on the target, with e.g.@: a
11738 @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under @var{path}.
11740 @cindex default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
11741 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
11742 You can set the default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} by using the
11743 configure-time @samp{--with-sysroot} option.
11745 @kindex show solib-absolute-prefix
11746 @item show solib-absolute-prefix
11747 Display the current shared library prefix.
11749 @kindex set solib-search-path
11750 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
11751 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of directories
11752 to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path} is used after
11753 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} fails to locate the library, or if the path to
11754 the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to use
11755 @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}, be sure to
11756 set @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to a nonexistant directory to prevent
11757 @value{GDBN} from finding your host's libraries.
11759 @kindex show solib-search-path
11760 @item show solib-search-path
11761 Display the current shared library search path.
11765 @node Separate Debug Files
11766 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
11767 @cindex separate debugging information files
11768 @cindex debugging information in separate files
11769 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
11770 @cindex debugging information directory, global
11771 @cindex global debugging information directory
11773 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
11774 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
11775 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
11776 Since debugging information can be very large --- sometimes larger
11777 than the executable code itself --- some systems distribute debugging
11778 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
11779 install only when they need to debug a problem.
11781 If an executable's debugging information has been extracted to a
11782 separate file, the executable should contain a @dfn{debug link} giving
11783 the name of the debugging information file (with no directory
11784 components), and a checksum of its contents. (The exact form of a
11785 debug link is described below.) If the full name of the directory
11786 containing the executable is @var{execdir}, and the executable has a
11787 debug link that specifies the name @var{debugfile}, then @value{GDBN}
11788 will automatically search for the debugging information file in three
11793 the directory containing the executable file (that is, it will look
11794 for a file named @file{@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}},
11796 a subdirectory of that directory named @file{.debug} (that is, the
11797 file @file{@var{execdir}/.debug/@var{debugfile}}, and
11799 a subdirectory of the global debug file directory that includes the
11800 executable's full path, and the name from the link (that is, the file
11801 @file{@var{globaldebugdir}/@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}}, where
11802 @var{globaldebugdir} is the global debug file directory, and
11803 @var{execdir} has been turned into a relative path).
11806 @value{GDBN} checks under each of these names for a debugging
11807 information file whose checksum matches that given in the link, and
11808 reads the debugging information from the first one it finds.
11810 So, for example, if you ask @value{GDBN} to debug @file{/usr/bin/ls},
11811 which has a link containing the name @file{ls.debug}, and the global
11812 debug directory is @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look
11813 for debug information in @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug},
11814 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}, and
11815 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
11817 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
11818 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
11822 @kindex set debug-file-directory
11823 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
11824 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
11825 information files to @var{directory}.
11827 @kindex show debug-file-directory
11828 @item show debug-file-directory
11829 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
11834 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
11835 @cindex debug links
11836 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
11837 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
11841 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
11844 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
11845 boundary within the section, and
11847 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
11848 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
11849 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
11850 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
11853 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
11854 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
11857 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
11858 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
11859 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
11860 should have the same names, addresses and sizes as the original file,
11861 but they need not contain any data --- much like a @code{.bss} section
11862 in an ordinary executable.
11864 As of December 2002, there is no standard GNU utility to produce
11865 separated executable / debugging information file pairs. Ulrich
11866 Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53,
11867 contains a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command
11868 @kbd{strip foo -f foo.debug} removes the debugging information from
11869 the executable file @file{foo}, places it in the file
11870 @file{foo.debug}, and leaves behind a debug link in @file{foo}.
11872 Since there are many different ways to compute CRC's (different
11873 polynomials, reversals, byte ordering, etc.), the simplest way to
11874 describe the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections is to give the
11875 complete code for a function that computes it:
11877 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
11880 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
11881 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
11883 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
11885 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
11886 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
11887 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
11888 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
11889 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
11890 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
11891 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
11892 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
11893 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
11894 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
11895 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
11896 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
11897 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
11898 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
11899 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
11900 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
11901 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
11902 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
11903 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
11904 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
11905 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
11906 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
11907 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
11908 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
11909 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
11910 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
11911 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
11912 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
11913 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
11914 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
11915 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
11916 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
11917 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
11918 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
11919 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
11920 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
11921 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
11922 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
11923 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
11924 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
11925 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
11926 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
11927 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
11928 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
11929 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
11930 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
11931 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
11932 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
11933 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
11934 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
11935 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
11938 unsigned char *end;
11940 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
11941 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
11942 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
11943 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
11948 @node Symbol Errors
11949 @section Errors reading symbol files
11951 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
11952 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
11953 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
11954 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
11955 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
11956 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
11957 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
11958 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
11959 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
11960 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
11963 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
11966 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
11968 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
11969 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
11970 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
11971 in its outer scope blocks.
11973 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
11974 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
11975 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
11978 @item block at @var{address} out of order
11980 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
11981 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
11984 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
11985 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
11986 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
11987 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
11990 @item bad block start address patched
11992 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
11993 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
11994 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
11996 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
11997 starting on the previous source line.
11999 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
12002 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
12003 larger than the size of the string table.
12005 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
12006 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
12009 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
12011 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
12012 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
12013 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
12015 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
12016 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
12017 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
12018 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
12019 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
12020 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
12022 @item stub type has NULL name
12024 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
12026 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
12027 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
12028 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
12031 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
12033 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
12038 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
12040 @cindex debugging target
12041 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
12043 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
12044 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
12045 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
12046 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
12047 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
12048 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
12049 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
12050 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
12052 @cindex target architecture
12053 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
12054 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
12055 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
12059 @kindex set architecture
12060 @kindex show architecture
12061 @item set architecture @var{arch}
12062 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
12063 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
12064 supported architectures.
12066 @item show architecture
12067 Show the current target architecture.
12069 @item set processor
12071 @kindex set processor
12072 @kindex show processor
12073 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
12074 and @code{show architecture}.
12078 * Active Targets:: Active targets
12079 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
12080 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
12081 * Remote:: Remote debugging
12085 @node Active Targets
12086 @section Active targets
12088 @cindex stacking targets
12089 @cindex active targets
12090 @cindex multiple targets
12092 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
12093 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
12094 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
12095 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
12098 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
12099 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
12100 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
12101 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
12102 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
12103 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
12104 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
12105 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
12106 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
12108 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
12109 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
12110 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
12111 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
12112 process target is active.
12114 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
12115 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
12116 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
12117 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
12120 @node Target Commands
12121 @section Commands for managing targets
12124 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
12125 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
12126 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
12127 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
12128 protocol of the target machine.
12130 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
12131 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
12132 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
12134 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
12135 after executing the command.
12137 @kindex help target
12139 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
12140 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
12141 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
12143 @item help target @var{name}
12144 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
12147 @kindex set gnutarget
12148 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
12149 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
12150 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
12151 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
12152 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
12153 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
12156 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
12157 you must know the actual BFD name.
12161 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
12163 @kindex show gnutarget
12164 @item show gnutarget
12165 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
12166 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
12167 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
12168 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
12171 @cindex common targets
12172 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
12177 @item target exec @var{program}
12178 @cindex executable file target
12179 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
12180 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
12182 @item target core @var{filename}
12183 @cindex core dump file target
12184 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
12185 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
12187 @item target remote @var{medium}
12188 @cindex remote target
12189 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
12190 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
12191 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
12193 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
12194 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
12197 target remote /dev/ttya
12200 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
12201 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
12202 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
12203 clobbered by the download.
12206 @cindex built-in simulator target
12207 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
12215 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
12216 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
12217 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
12218 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
12223 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
12227 @item target nrom @var{dev}
12228 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
12229 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
12233 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
12234 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
12236 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
12237 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
12238 various aspects of this process.
12243 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
12244 @cindex hash mark while downloading
12245 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
12246 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
12247 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
12251 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
12252 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
12254 @item set debug monitor
12255 @kindex set debug monitor
12256 @cindex display remote monitor communications
12257 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
12258 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
12260 @item show debug monitor
12261 @kindex show debug monitor
12262 Show the current status of displaying communications between
12263 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
12268 @kindex load @var{filename}
12269 @item load @var{filename}
12270 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
12271 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
12272 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
12273 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
12274 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
12275 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
12277 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
12278 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
12279 target is @dots{}}''
12281 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
12282 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
12283 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
12284 specifies a fixed address.
12285 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
12287 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
12291 @section Choosing target byte order
12293 @cindex choosing target byte order
12294 @cindex target byte order
12296 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
12297 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
12298 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
12299 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
12300 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
12301 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
12305 @item set endian big
12306 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
12308 @item set endian little
12309 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
12311 @item set endian auto
12312 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
12316 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
12320 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
12321 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
12325 @section Remote debugging
12326 @cindex remote debugging
12328 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
12329 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
12330 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
12331 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
12332 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
12334 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
12335 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
12336 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
12337 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
12338 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
12339 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
12341 Other remote targets may be available in your
12342 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
12344 Once you've connected to the remote target, @value{GDBN} allows you to
12345 send arbitrary commands to the remote monitor:
12348 @item remote @var{command}
12349 @kindex remote@r{, a command}
12350 @cindex send command to remote monitor
12351 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the remote monitor.
12355 @node Remote Debugging
12356 @chapter Debugging remote programs
12359 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
12360 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
12361 * Remote configuration:: Remote configuration
12362 * remote stub:: Implementing a remote stub
12366 @section Connecting to a remote target
12368 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
12369 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symobl and debugging information.
12370 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
12371 program as the first argument.
12373 @cindex @code{target remote}
12374 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
12375 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
12376 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
12377 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
12378 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
12379 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
12383 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
12384 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
12385 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
12386 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
12389 target remote /dev/ttyb
12392 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
12393 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
12394 (@pxref{Remote configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
12395 @code{target} command.
12397 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
12398 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
12399 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
12400 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
12401 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
12402 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
12403 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
12404 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
12407 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
12411 target remote manyfarms:2828
12414 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
12415 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
12416 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
12417 port 1234 on your local machine:
12420 target remote :1234
12424 Note that the colon is still required here.
12426 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
12427 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
12428 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
12429 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
12432 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
12435 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
12436 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
12437 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
12438 cause havoc with your debugging session.
12440 @item target remote | @var{command}
12441 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
12442 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
12443 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
12444 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
12445 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
12446 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
12447 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
12448 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
12450 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
12451 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
12452 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
12456 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
12457 commands to examine and change data and to step and continue the
12460 @cindex interrupting remote programs
12461 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
12462 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
12463 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
12464 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
12465 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
12466 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
12469 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
12470 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
12473 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
12474 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
12475 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
12476 goes back to waiting.
12479 @kindex detach (remote)
12481 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
12482 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
12483 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
12484 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
12485 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
12489 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
12490 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
12491 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
12492 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
12495 @cindex send command to remote monitor
12496 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
12497 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
12499 @item monitor @var{cmd}
12500 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
12501 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
12502 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
12503 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
12508 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} program
12511 @cindex remote connection without stubs
12512 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
12513 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
12514 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
12516 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
12517 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
12518 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
12519 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
12520 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
12521 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
12522 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
12523 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
12524 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
12525 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
12526 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
12527 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
12528 choice for debugging.
12530 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
12531 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
12535 @item On the target machine,
12536 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
12537 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
12538 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
12539 system does all the symbol handling.
12541 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
12542 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
12546 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
12549 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
12550 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
12551 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
12555 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
12558 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
12561 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
12564 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
12567 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
12568 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
12569 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
12570 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
12571 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
12572 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
12573 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
12574 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
12575 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
12576 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
12577 @code{target remote} command.
12579 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
12580 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
12583 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach @var{pid}
12586 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
12587 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
12590 @cindex attach to a program by name
12591 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
12592 @code{pidof} utility:
12595 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach `pidof @var{PROGRAM}`
12598 In case more than one copy of @var{PROGRAM} is running, or @var{PROGRAM}
12599 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
12600 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
12602 @item On the host machine,
12603 connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a remote target}).
12604 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
12605 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
12606 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
12607 @samp{Connection refused}. You don't need to use the @code{load}
12608 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
12609 already on the target. However, if you want to load the symbols (as
12610 you normally would), do that with the @code{file} command, and issue
12611 it @emph{before} connecting to the server; otherwise, you will get an
12612 error message saying @code{"Program is already running"}, since the
12613 program is considered running after the connection.
12617 @node Remote configuration
12618 @section Remote configuration
12621 @kindex show remote
12622 This section documents the configuration options available when
12623 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
12624 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
12625 system-call-allowed}.
12628 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
12629 @cindex adress size for remote targets
12630 @cindex bits in remote address
12631 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
12632 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
12633 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
12634 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
12636 @item show remoteaddresssize
12637 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
12639 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
12640 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
12641 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
12642 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
12645 @item show remotebaud
12646 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
12648 @item set remotebreak
12649 @cindex interrupt remote programs
12650 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
12651 @anchor{set remotebreak}
12652 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
12653 when you press the @key{Ctrl-C} key to interrupt the program running
12654 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
12655 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
12656 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
12658 @item show remotebreak
12659 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
12660 interrupt the remote program.
12662 @item set remotedevice @var{device}
12663 @cindex serial port name
12664 Set the name of the serial port through which to communicate to the
12665 remote target to @var{device}. This is the device used by
12666 @value{GDBN} to open the serial communications line to the remote
12667 target. There's no default, so you must set a valid port name for the
12668 remote serial communications to work. (Some varieties of the
12669 @code{target} command accept the port name as part of their
12672 @item show remotedevice
12673 Show the current name of the serial port.
12675 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
12676 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
12677 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
12678 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
12681 @item show remotelogbase
12682 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
12685 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
12686 @cindex record serial communications on file
12687 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
12688 default is not to record at all.
12690 @item show remotelogfile.
12691 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
12692 serial communications.
12694 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
12695 @cindex timeout for serial communications
12696 @cindex remote timeout
12697 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
12698 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
12700 @item show remotetimeout
12701 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
12704 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
12705 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
12706 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
12707 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
12708 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
12709 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
12710 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
12711 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
12713 @item set remote fetch-register-packet
12714 @itemx set remote set-register-packet
12715 @itemx set remote P-packet
12716 @itemx set remote p-packet
12718 @cindex fetch registers from remote targets
12719 @cindex set registers in remote targets
12720 Determine whether @value{GDBN} can set and fetch registers from the
12721 remote target using the @samp{P} packets. The default depends on the
12722 remote stub's support of the @samp{P} packets (@value{GDBN} queries
12723 the stub when this packet is first required).
12725 @item show remote fetch-register-packet
12726 @itemx show remote set-register-packet
12727 @itemx show remote P-packet
12728 @itemx show remote p-packet
12729 Show the current setting of using the @samp{P} packets for setting and
12730 fetching registers from the remote target.
12732 @cindex binary downloads
12734 @item set remote binary-download-packet
12735 @itemx set remote X-packet
12736 Determine whether @value{GDBN} sends downloads in binary mode using
12737 the @samp{X} packets. The default is on.
12739 @item show remote binary-download-packet
12740 @itemx show remote X-packet
12741 Show the current setting of using the @samp{X} packets for binary
12744 @item set remote read-aux-vector-packet
12745 @cindex auxiliary vector of remote target
12746 @cindex @code{auxv}, and remote targets
12747 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} (target
12748 auxiliary vector) request. This request is used to fetch the
12749 remote target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}, see @ref{OS Information,
12750 Auxiliary Vector}. The default setting depends on the remote stub's
12751 support of this request (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when this
12752 request is first required). @xref{General Query Packets, qXfer}, for
12753 more information about this request.
12755 @item show remote read-aux-vector-packet
12756 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} request.
12758 @item set remote symbol-lookup-packet
12759 @cindex remote symbol lookup request
12760 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{qSymbol} (target symbol
12761 lookup) request. This request is used to communicate symbol
12762 information to the remote target, e.g., whenever a new shared library
12763 is loaded by the remote (@pxref{Files, shared libraries}). The
12764 default setting depends on the remote stub's support of this request
12765 (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when this request is first required).
12766 @xref{General Query Packets, qSymbol}, for more information about this
12769 @item show remote symbol-lookup-packet
12770 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{qSymbol} request.
12772 @item set remote verbose-resume-packet
12773 @cindex resume remote target
12774 @cindex signal thread, and remote targets
12775 @cindex single-step thread, and remote targets
12776 @cindex thread-specific operations on remote targets
12777 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{vCont} (descriptive resume)
12778 request. This request is used to resume specific threads in the
12779 remote target, and to single-step or signal them. The default setting
12780 depends on the remote stub's support of this request (@value{GDBN}
12781 queries the stub when this request is first required). This setting
12782 affects debugging of multithreaded programs: if @samp{vCont} cannot be
12783 used, @value{GDBN} might be unable to single-step a specific thread,
12784 especially under @code{set scheduler-locking off}; it is also
12785 impossible to pause a specific thread. @xref{Packets, vCont}, for
12788 @item show remote verbose-resume-packet
12789 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{vCont} request
12791 @item set remote software-breakpoint-packet
12792 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-packet
12793 @itemx set remote write-watchpoint-packet
12794 @itemx set remote read-watchpoint-packet
12795 @itemx set remote access-watchpoint-packet
12796 @itemx set remote Z-packet
12798 @cindex remote hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
12799 These commands enable or disable the use of @samp{Z} packets for
12800 setting breakpoints and watchpoints in the remote target. The default
12801 depends on the remote stub's support of the @samp{Z} packets
12802 (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when each packet is first required).
12803 The command @code{set remote Z-packet}, kept for back-compatibility,
12804 turns on or off all the features that require the use of @samp{Z}
12807 @item show remote software-breakpoint-packet
12808 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-packet
12809 @itemx show remote write-watchpoint-packet
12810 @itemx show remote read-watchpoint-packet
12811 @itemx show remote access-watchpoint-packet
12812 @itemx show remote Z-packet
12813 Show the current setting of @samp{Z} packets usage.
12815 @item set remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12816 @kindex set remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12817 @cindex thread local storage of remote targets
12818 This command enables or disables the use of the @samp{qGetTLSAddr}
12819 (Get Thread Local Storage Address) request packet. The default
12820 depends on whether the remote stub supports this request.
12821 @xref{General Query Packets, qGetTLSAddr}, for more details about this
12824 @item show remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12825 @kindex show remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12826 Show the current setting of @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet usage.
12828 @item set remote supported-packets
12829 @kindex set remote supported-packets
12830 @cindex query supported packets of remote targets
12831 This command enables or disables the use of the @samp{qSupported}
12832 request packet. @xref{General Query Packets, qSupported}, for more
12833 details about this packet. The default is to use @samp{qSupported}.
12835 @item show remote supported-packets
12836 @kindex show remote supported-packets
12837 Show the current setting of @samp{qSupported} packet usage.
12841 @section Implementing a remote stub
12843 @cindex debugging stub, example
12844 @cindex remote stub, example
12845 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
12846 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
12847 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
12848 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
12849 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
12850 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
12851 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
12852 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
12854 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
12855 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
12856 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
12857 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
12862 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
12863 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
12864 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
12867 A C subroutine library to support your program's
12868 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
12871 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
12872 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
12873 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
12877 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
12878 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
12879 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
12883 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
12884 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
12885 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
12887 @item On the target,
12888 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
12889 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
12890 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
12892 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
12893 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
12894 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
12897 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
12898 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
12901 @cindex remote serial stub list
12902 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
12907 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
12910 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
12913 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
12914 @cindex Motorola 680x0
12916 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
12919 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
12922 For Renesas SH architectures.
12925 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
12927 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
12929 @item sparcl-stub.c
12930 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
12933 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
12937 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
12938 recently added stubs.
12941 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
12942 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
12943 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
12946 @node Stub Contents
12947 @subsection What the stub can do for you
12949 @cindex remote serial stub
12950 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
12954 @item set_debug_traps
12955 @findex set_debug_traps
12956 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
12957 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
12958 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
12959 beginning of your program.
12961 @item handle_exception
12962 @findex handle_exception
12963 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
12964 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
12965 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
12966 run when a trap is triggered.
12968 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
12969 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
12970 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
12971 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
12972 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
12973 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
12974 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
12975 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
12976 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
12980 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
12981 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
12982 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
12983 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
12984 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
12985 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
12986 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
12987 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
12988 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
12989 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
12990 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
12992 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
12993 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
12994 start of your debugging session.
12997 @node Bootstrapping
12998 @subsection What you must do for the stub
13000 @cindex remote stub, support routines
13001 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
13002 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
13003 debugging target machine.
13005 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
13009 @item int getDebugChar()
13010 @findex getDebugChar
13011 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
13012 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
13013 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
13015 @item void putDebugChar(int)
13016 @findex putDebugChar
13017 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
13018 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
13019 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
13022 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
13023 @cindex interrupting remote targets
13024 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
13025 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
13026 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
13027 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
13028 remote system to stop.
13030 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
13031 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
13032 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
13033 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
13035 Other routines you need to supply are:
13038 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
13039 @findex exceptionHandler
13040 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
13041 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
13042 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
13043 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
13044 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
13045 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
13046 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
13047 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
13048 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
13049 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
13050 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
13051 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
13052 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
13054 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
13055 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
13056 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
13057 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
13058 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
13060 @item void flush_i_cache()
13061 @findex flush_i_cache
13062 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
13063 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
13064 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
13066 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
13067 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
13071 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
13074 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
13076 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
13077 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
13078 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
13079 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
13082 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
13083 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
13084 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
13085 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
13088 @node Debug Session
13089 @subsection Putting it all together
13091 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
13092 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
13097 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
13098 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
13100 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
13101 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
13105 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
13113 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
13114 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
13117 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
13121 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
13122 function in your program, that function is called when
13123 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
13124 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
13125 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
13128 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
13129 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
13132 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
13133 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
13136 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
13137 @c document that. FIXME.
13138 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
13139 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
13142 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
13143 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a remote target}).
13147 @node Configurations
13148 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
13150 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
13151 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
13152 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
13154 There are three major categories of configurations: native
13155 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
13156 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
13157 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
13158 are quite different from each other.
13163 * Embedded Processors::
13170 This section describes details specific to particular native
13175 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
13176 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
13177 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
13178 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
13179 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
13180 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
13186 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
13187 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
13188 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
13191 @node BSD libkvm Interface
13192 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
13195 @cindex kernel memory image
13196 @cindex kernel crash dump
13198 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
13199 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
13200 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
13201 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
13202 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
13203 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
13204 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
13208 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
13211 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
13215 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
13218 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
13224 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
13227 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
13228 modern FreeBSD systems.
13231 @node SVR4 Process Information
13232 @subsection SVR4 process information
13234 @cindex examine process image
13235 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
13237 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
13238 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
13239 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
13240 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
13241 proc} is available to report information about the process running
13242 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
13243 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
13244 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
13245 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
13251 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
13252 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
13253 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
13254 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
13255 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
13256 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
13257 executable file's absolute file name.
13259 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
13260 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
13261 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
13262 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
13263 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
13264 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
13266 @item info proc mappings
13267 @cindex memory address space mappings
13268 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
13269 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
13270 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
13271 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
13272 memory access rights to that range.
13274 @item info proc stat
13275 @itemx info proc status
13276 @cindex process detailed status information
13277 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
13278 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
13279 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
13280 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
13281 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
13282 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
13283 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
13285 @item info proc all
13286 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
13287 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
13290 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
13291 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
13292 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
13293 @kindex info proc times
13294 @item info proc times
13295 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
13298 @kindex info proc id
13300 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
13301 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
13304 @item set procfs-trace
13305 @kindex set procfs-trace
13306 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
13307 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
13309 @item show procfs-trace
13310 @kindex show procfs-trace
13311 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
13313 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
13314 @kindex set procfs-file
13315 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
13316 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
13317 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
13320 @item show procfs-file
13321 @kindex show procfs-file
13322 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
13324 @item proc-trace-entry
13325 @itemx proc-trace-exit
13326 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
13327 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
13328 @kindex proc-trace-entry
13329 @kindex proc-trace-exit
13330 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
13331 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
13332 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
13333 from the @code{syscall} interface.
13336 @kindex info pidlist
13337 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
13338 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
13339 processes and all the threads within each process.
13342 @kindex info meminfo
13343 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
13344 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
13348 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
13349 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
13350 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
13351 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
13354 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
13355 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
13356 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
13357 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
13359 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
13360 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
13361 subsection describes those commands.
13366 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
13367 information about the target system and important OS structures.
13370 @cindex MS-DOS system info
13371 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
13372 @item info dos sysinfo
13373 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
13374 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
13375 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
13380 @cindex segment descriptor tables
13381 @cindex descriptor tables display
13383 @itemx info dos ldt
13384 @itemx info dos idt
13385 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
13386 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
13387 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
13388 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
13389 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
13390 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
13393 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
13394 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
13395 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
13396 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
13397 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
13399 @cindex garbled pointers
13400 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
13401 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
13402 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
13403 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
13404 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
13405 debugged program's data segment:
13408 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
13409 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
13413 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
13414 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
13416 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
13418 @itemx info dos pte
13419 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
13420 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
13421 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
13422 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
13423 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
13424 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
13425 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
13426 that is currently in use.
13428 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
13429 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
13430 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
13431 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
13432 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
13433 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
13434 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
13436 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
13437 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
13438 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
13441 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
13443 @cindex physical address from linear address
13444 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
13445 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
13446 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
13447 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
13448 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
13449 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
13450 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
13453 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
13454 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
13455 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
13459 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
13460 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
13461 attributes of that page.
13463 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
13464 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
13465 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
13466 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
13467 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
13468 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
13470 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
13474 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
13475 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
13476 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
13480 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
13481 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
13482 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
13483 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
13484 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
13486 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
13489 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
13490 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
13491 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
13492 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
13495 @kindex set com1base
13496 @kindex set com1irq
13497 @kindex set com2base
13498 @kindex set com2irq
13499 @kindex set com3base
13500 @kindex set com3irq
13501 @kindex set com4base
13502 @kindex set com4irq
13503 @item set com1base @var{addr}
13504 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
13507 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
13508 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
13509 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
13511 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
13512 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
13515 @kindex show com1base
13516 @kindex show com1irq
13517 @kindex show com2base
13518 @kindex show com2irq
13519 @kindex show com3base
13520 @kindex show com3irq
13521 @kindex show com4base
13522 @kindex show com4irq
13523 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
13524 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
13525 lines used by the COM ports.
13528 @kindex info serial
13529 @cindex DOS serial port status
13530 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
13531 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
13532 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
13533 counts of various errors encountered so far.
13537 @node Cygwin Native
13538 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE executables
13539 @cindex MS Windows debugging
13540 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
13541 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
13543 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
13544 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information. There are various
13545 additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in this subsection. The
13546 subsubsection @pxref{Non-debug DLL symbols} describes working with DLLs
13547 that have no debugging symbols.
13553 This is a prefix of MS Windows specific commands which print
13554 information about the target system and important OS structures.
13556 @item info w32 selector
13557 This command displays information returned by
13558 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
13559 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
13560 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
13561 Without argument, this command displays information
13562 about the the six segment registers.
13566 This is a Cygwin specific alias of info shared.
13568 @kindex dll-symbols
13570 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
13571 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
13573 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
13574 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
13575 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
13576 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
13577 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
13578 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
13579 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
13580 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
13581 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
13582 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
13583 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
13585 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
13586 @item show cygwin-exceptions
13587 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
13588 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
13590 @kindex set new-console
13591 @item set new-console @var{mode}
13592 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
13593 be started in a new console on next start.
13594 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
13595 be started in the same console as the debugger.
13597 @kindex show new-console
13598 @item show new-console
13599 Displays whether a new console is used
13600 when the debuggee is started.
13602 @kindex set new-group
13603 @item set new-group @var{mode}
13604 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
13605 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
13606 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
13609 @kindex show new-group
13610 @item show new-group
13611 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
13613 @kindex set debugevents
13614 @item set debugevents
13615 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
13616 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
13617 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
13618 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
13619 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
13621 @kindex set debugexec
13622 @item set debugexec
13623 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
13624 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
13626 @kindex set debugexceptions
13627 @item set debugexceptions
13628 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
13629 debuggee seen by the debugger.
13631 @kindex set debugmemory
13632 @item set debugmemory
13633 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
13634 and writes by the debugger.
13638 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
13639 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
13643 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
13648 * Non-debug DLL symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
13651 @node Non-debug DLL symbols
13652 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
13653 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
13654 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
13656 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
13657 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
13658 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
13659 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
13660 information contained in the DLL's export table. This subsubsection
13661 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
13662 ``minimal symbols''.
13664 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
13665 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
13666 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
13667 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
13668 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
13669 see the shared library information in @pxref{Files} or the
13670 @code{dll-symbols} command in @pxref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
13671 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
13672 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
13673 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
13675 @subsubsection DLL name prefixes
13677 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
13678 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
13679 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
13680 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
13681 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
13682 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
13683 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
13684 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
13685 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
13687 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
13688 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
13689 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
13690 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
13691 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols} (see
13692 @pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
13695 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
13696 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
13698 Non-debugging symbols:
13699 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
13700 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
13704 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
13705 All functions matching regular expression "!":
13707 Non-debugging symbols:
13708 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
13709 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
13710 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
13714 @subsubsection Working with minimal symbols
13716 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
13717 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
13718 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
13719 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
13720 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
13721 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
13722 a function within a DLL without a running program.
13724 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
13725 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
13726 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
13727 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
13731 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
13736 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
13737 0x10021610: "\230y\""
13740 And two possible solutions:
13743 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
13744 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
13748 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
13749 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
13750 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
13751 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
13752 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
13753 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
13756 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
13757 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
13758 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
13759 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
13760 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
13763 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
13764 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
13767 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
13768 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
13772 @subsection Commands specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd systems
13773 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
13775 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
13776 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
13781 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
13782 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
13783 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
13784 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
13785 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
13790 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
13791 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
13792 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
13794 @item set signal-thread
13795 @itemx set sigthread
13796 @kindex set signal-thread
13797 @kindex set sigthread
13798 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
13799 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
13800 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
13803 @item show signal-thread
13804 @itemx show sigthread
13805 @kindex show signal-thread
13806 @kindex show sigthread
13807 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
13808 delivered a signal.
13811 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
13812 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
13813 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
13814 continued by delivering a signal to it.
13817 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
13818 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
13821 @item set exceptions
13822 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
13823 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
13824 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
13825 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
13828 @item show exceptions
13829 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
13830 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
13832 @item set task pause
13833 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
13834 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13835 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13836 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
13837 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
13838 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
13839 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
13840 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
13841 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
13843 @item show task pause
13844 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
13845 Show the current state of task suspension.
13847 @item set task detach-suspend-count
13848 @cindex task suspend count
13849 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13850 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
13851 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
13853 @item show task detach-suspend-count
13854 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
13856 @item set task exception-port
13857 @itemx set task excp
13858 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13859 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
13860 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
13861 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
13863 @item set noninvasive
13864 @cindex noninvasive task options
13865 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
13866 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
13867 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
13868 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
13870 @item info send-rights
13871 @itemx info receive-rights
13872 @itemx info port-rights
13873 @itemx info port-sets
13874 @itemx info dead-names
13877 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13878 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13879 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13880 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13881 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13882 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
13883 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
13884 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
13885 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
13887 @item set thread pause
13888 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
13889 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13890 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13891 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
13892 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
13893 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
13894 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
13895 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
13896 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
13897 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
13898 only the current thread.
13900 @item show thread pause
13901 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
13902 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
13904 @item set thread run
13905 This comamnd sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
13907 @item show thread run
13908 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
13910 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
13911 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13912 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13913 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
13914 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
13915 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
13916 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
13918 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
13919 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
13922 @item set thread exception-port
13923 @itemx set thread excp
13924 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
13925 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
13926 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
13928 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
13929 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
13930 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
13931 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
13933 @item set thread default
13934 @itemx show thread default
13935 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13936 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
13937 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
13938 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
13939 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
13940 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
13941 the non-default commands.
13946 @subsection QNX Neutrino
13947 @cindex QNX Neutrino
13949 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
13953 @item set debug nto-debug
13954 @kindex set debug nto-debug
13955 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
13958 @item show debug nto-debug
13959 @kindex show debug nto-debug
13960 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
13965 @section Embedded Operating Systems
13967 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
13968 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
13972 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
13975 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
13976 various real-time operating systems.
13979 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
13985 @kindex target vxworks
13986 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
13987 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
13988 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
13992 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
13993 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
13995 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
13996 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
13997 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
13998 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
13999 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
14000 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
14001 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
14004 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
14005 @kindex vxworks-timeout
14006 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
14007 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
14008 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
14009 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
14010 of a thin network line.
14013 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
14014 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
14017 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
14018 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
14019 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
14020 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
14021 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
14022 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
14023 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
14024 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
14026 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
14028 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
14029 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
14030 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
14031 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
14033 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
14040 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
14041 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
14042 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
14045 @node VxWorks Connection
14046 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
14048 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
14049 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
14052 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
14056 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
14059 Attaching remote machine across net...
14064 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
14065 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
14066 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
14067 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
14068 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
14071 prog.o: No such file or directory.
14074 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
14075 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
14078 @node VxWorks Download
14079 @subsubsection VxWorks download
14081 @cindex download to VxWorks
14082 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
14083 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
14084 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
14085 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
14086 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
14087 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
14088 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
14089 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
14090 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
14091 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
14092 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
14093 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
14094 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
14095 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
14096 program, type this on VxWorks:
14099 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
14103 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
14106 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
14107 (vxgdb) load prog.o
14110 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
14113 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
14116 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
14117 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
14118 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
14119 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
14120 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
14121 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
14124 @node VxWorks Attach
14125 @subsubsection Running tasks
14127 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
14128 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
14132 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
14136 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
14137 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
14138 the time of attachment.
14140 @node Embedded Processors
14141 @section Embedded Processors
14143 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
14146 @cindex send command to simulator
14147 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
14148 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
14151 @item sim @var{command}
14152 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
14153 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
14154 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
14155 acceptable commands.
14161 * H8/300:: Renesas H8/300
14162 * H8/500:: Renesas H8/500
14163 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
14164 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
14165 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
14166 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
14167 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
14170 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
14171 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
14172 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
14173 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
14176 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
14177 * WinCE:: Windows CE child processes
14186 @item target rdi @var{dev}
14187 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
14188 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
14189 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
14192 @item target rdp @var{dev}
14197 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
14200 @item set arm disassembler
14202 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
14203 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
14205 @item show arm disassembler
14207 Show the current disassembly style.
14209 @item set arm apcs32
14210 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
14211 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
14213 @item show arm apcs32
14214 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
14216 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
14217 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
14218 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
14222 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
14224 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
14227 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
14229 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
14235 Show the current type of the FPU.
14238 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
14241 Show the currently used ABI.
14243 @item set debug arm
14244 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
14245 target support subsystem.
14247 @item show debug arm
14248 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
14251 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
14252 using the RDI interface:
14255 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14257 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
14258 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
14259 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
14260 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
14263 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
14264 @kindex rdilogenable
14265 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
14266 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
14267 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
14268 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
14269 are logged to a file.
14271 @item set rdiromatzero
14272 @kindex set rdiromatzero
14273 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
14274 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
14275 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
14276 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
14277 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
14279 @item show rdiromatzero
14280 @kindex show rdiromatzero
14281 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
14283 @item set rdiheartbeat
14284 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
14285 @cindex RDI heartbeat
14286 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
14287 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
14288 well as the Angel monitor.
14290 @item show rdiheartbeat
14291 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
14292 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
14297 @subsection Renesas H8/300
14301 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
14302 @item target hms @var{dev}
14303 A Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
14304 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
14305 line and the communications speed used.
14307 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
14308 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
14309 E7000 emulator for Renesas H8 and SH.
14311 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
14312 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
14313 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
14314 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
14315 Renesas SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
14319 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
14320 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
14321 @cindex download to Renesas SH
14322 @cindex Renesas SH download
14323 When you select remote debugging to a Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500
14324 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Renesas
14325 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
14326 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
14328 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
14329 Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
14333 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
14334 for Renesas microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
14335 emulator for the Renesas SH and the Renesas 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
14336 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Renesas SH,
14337 H8/300, or H8/500.)
14340 what serial device connects your host to your Renesas board (the first
14341 serial device available on your host is the default).
14344 what speed to use over the serial device.
14348 * Renesas Boards:: Connecting to Renesas boards.
14349 * Renesas ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
14350 * Renesas Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Renesas micros.
14353 @node Renesas Boards
14354 @subsubsection Connecting to Renesas boards
14356 @c only for Unix hosts
14358 @cindex serial device, Renesas micros
14359 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
14360 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
14361 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
14362 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
14365 @cindex serial line speed, Renesas micros
14366 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
14367 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
14368 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
14369 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
14370 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
14372 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
14373 use a Unix host to debug your Renesas microprocessor programs. If you
14375 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
14376 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
14377 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
14378 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
14380 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
14381 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
14382 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
14383 the Renesas SH and the H8/500.
14385 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
14386 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
14387 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
14388 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
14389 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
14390 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
14394 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
14395 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
14397 Resident portion of MODE loaded
14399 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
14404 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
14405 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
14406 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
14407 your development board.
14410 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
14411 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
14412 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBN}} with
14413 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
14414 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
14415 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
14416 cross-debugging to the Renesas board, and the @code{load} command to
14417 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
14418 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
14419 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
14420 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
14421 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
14422 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
14425 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
14426 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
14427 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
14429 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
14431 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
14432 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
14433 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
14434 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
14435 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
14436 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
14437 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
14440 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
14441 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
14442 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
14443 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
14444 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
14445 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
14447 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
14448 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
14449 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
14451 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
14454 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
14455 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
14458 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
14459 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
14460 to detect program completion.
14463 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
14464 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
14467 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
14469 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Renesas ICE}
14470 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
14471 Renesas SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
14472 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
14475 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
14476 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
14477 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
14478 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
14479 (for example, @samp{9600}).
14481 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
14482 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
14483 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
14486 The following special commands are available when debugging with the
14490 @item e7000 @var{command}
14492 @cindex send command to E7000 monitor
14493 This sends the specified @var{command} to the E7000 monitor.
14495 @item ftplogin @var{machine} @var{username} @var{password} @var{dir}
14496 @kindex ftplogin@r{, E7000}
14497 This command records information for subsequent interface with the
14498 E7000 monitor via the FTP protocol: @value{GDBN} will log into the
14499 named @var{machine} using specified @var{username} and @var{password},
14500 and then chdir to the named directory @var{dir}.
14502 @item ftpload @var{file}
14503 @kindex ftpload@r{, E7000}
14504 This command uses credentials recorded by @code{ftplogin} to fetch and
14505 load the named @var{file} from the E7000 monitor.
14508 @kindex drain@r{, E7000}
14509 This command drains any pending text buffers stored on the E7000.
14511 @item set usehardbreakpoints
14512 @itemx show usehardbreakpoints
14513 @kindex set usehardbreakpoints@r{, E7000}
14514 @kindex show usehardbreakpoints@r{, E7000}
14515 @cindex hardware breakpoints, and E7000
14516 These commands set and show the use of hardware breakpoints for all
14517 breakpoints. @xref{Set Breaks, hardware-assisted breakpoint}, for
14518 more information about using hardware breakpoints selectively.
14521 @node Renesas Special
14522 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Renesas micros
14524 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
14528 @kindex set machine
14529 @kindex show machine
14530 @item set machine h8300
14531 @itemx set machine h8300h
14532 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
14533 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
14534 to check which variant is currently in effect.
14543 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
14544 @cindex memory models, H8/500
14545 @item set memory @var{mod}
14547 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
14548 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
14549 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
14550 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
14555 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
14558 @kindex target m32r
14559 @item target m32r @var{dev}
14560 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
14562 @kindex target m32rsdi
14563 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
14564 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
14567 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
14570 @item set download-path @var{path}
14571 @kindex set download-path
14572 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
14573 Set the default path for finding donwloadable @sc{srec} files.
14575 @item show download-path
14576 @kindex show download-path
14577 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
14579 @item set board-address @var{addr}
14580 @kindex set board-address
14581 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
14582 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
14584 @item show board-address
14585 @kindex show board-address
14586 Show the current IP address of the target board.
14588 @item set server-address @var{addr}
14589 @kindex set server-address
14590 @cindex download server address (M32R)
14591 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
14594 @item show server-address
14595 @kindex show server-address
14596 Display the IP address of the download server.
14598 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14599 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
14600 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
14601 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
14602 executable file is uploaded.
14604 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14605 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
14606 Test the @code{upload} command.
14609 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
14614 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
14615 This command resets the SDI connection.
14619 This command shows the SDI connection status.
14622 @kindex debug_chaos
14623 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
14624 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
14626 @item use_debug_dma
14627 @kindex use_debug_dma
14628 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
14631 @kindex use_mon_code
14632 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
14635 @kindex use_ib_break
14636 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
14638 @item use_dbt_break
14639 @kindex use_dbt_break
14640 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
14646 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
14647 target command for the following ROM monitors.
14651 @kindex target abug
14652 @item target abug @var{dev}
14653 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
14655 @kindex target cpu32bug
14656 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
14657 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
14659 @kindex target dbug
14660 @item target dbug @var{dev}
14661 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
14664 @item target est @var{dev}
14665 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
14667 @kindex target rom68k
14668 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
14669 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
14675 @kindex target rombug
14676 @item target rombug @var{dev}
14677 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
14681 @node MIPS Embedded
14682 @subsection MIPS Embedded
14684 @cindex MIPS boards
14685 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
14686 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
14687 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
14690 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
14693 @item target mips @var{port}
14694 @kindex target mips @var{port}
14695 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
14696 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
14697 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
14698 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
14699 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
14700 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
14702 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
14703 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
14707 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
14708 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
14709 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
14710 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
14714 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
14715 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
14716 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
14717 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
14718 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
14720 @item target pmon @var{port}
14721 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
14724 @item target ddb @var{port}
14725 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
14726 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
14728 @item target lsi @var{port}
14729 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
14730 LSI variant of PMON.
14732 @kindex target r3900
14733 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
14734 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
14736 @kindex target array
14737 @item target array @var{dev}
14738 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
14744 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
14747 @item set mipsfpu double
14748 @itemx set mipsfpu single
14749 @itemx set mipsfpu none
14750 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
14751 @itemx show mipsfpu
14752 @kindex set mipsfpu
14753 @kindex show mipsfpu
14754 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
14755 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
14756 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
14757 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
14758 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
14759 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
14760 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
14761 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
14762 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
14763 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
14764 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
14765 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
14766 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
14768 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
14769 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
14770 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
14772 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
14773 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
14775 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
14776 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
14777 @itemx show timeout
14778 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
14779 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
14780 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
14781 @kindex set timeout
14782 @kindex show timeout
14783 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
14784 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
14785 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
14786 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
14787 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
14788 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
14789 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
14790 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
14791 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
14792 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
14794 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
14795 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
14796 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
14797 to run before stopping.
14799 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
14800 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
14801 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
14802 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
14803 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
14804 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
14806 @item show syn-garbage-limit
14807 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
14808 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
14809 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
14811 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
14812 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
14813 @cindex remote monitor prompt
14814 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
14815 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
14825 @item show monitor-prompt
14826 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
14827 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
14830 @item set monitor-warnings
14831 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
14832 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
14833 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
14834 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
14835 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
14837 @item show monitor-warnings
14838 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
14839 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
14841 @item pmon @var{command}
14842 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
14843 @cindex send PMON command
14844 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
14845 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
14848 @node OpenRISC 1000
14849 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
14850 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
14852 @cindex or1k boards
14853 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
14854 about platform and commands.
14858 @kindex target jtag
14859 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
14861 Connects to remote JTAG server.
14862 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
14863 connected via parallel port to the board.
14865 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
14868 @item or1ksim @var{command}
14869 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
14870 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
14872 @kindex info or1k spr
14873 @item info or1k spr
14874 Displays spr groups.
14876 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
14877 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
14878 Displays register names in selected group.
14880 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
14881 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
14882 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
14883 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
14884 Shows information about specified spr register.
14887 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
14888 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
14889 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
14890 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
14891 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
14894 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
14895 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
14896 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
14897 triggers can be set using:
14900 Load effective address/data
14902 Store effective address/data
14904 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
14909 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
14910 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
14912 @code{htrace} commands:
14913 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
14916 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
14917 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effecive Address(es)
14918 or Data. For example:
14920 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
14922 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
14926 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
14928 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
14929 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
14931 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
14932 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
14934 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
14935 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
14937 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
14938 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
14941 @item htrace enable
14942 @itemx htrace disable
14943 Enables/disables the HW trace.
14945 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
14946 Clears currently recorded trace data.
14948 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
14949 will be written there.
14951 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
14952 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
14954 @item htrace mode continuous
14955 Set continuous trace mode.
14957 @item htrace mode suspend
14958 Set suspend trace mode.
14963 @subsection PowerPC
14966 @kindex target dink32
14967 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
14968 DINK32 ROM monitor.
14970 @kindex target ppcbug
14971 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
14972 @kindex target ppcbug1
14973 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
14974 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
14977 @item target sds @var{dev}
14978 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
14981 @cindex SDS protocol
14982 The following commands specifi to the SDS protocol are supported
14986 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
14987 @kindex set sdstimeout
14988 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
14989 default is 2 seconds.
14991 @item show sdstimeout
14992 @kindex show sdstimeout
14993 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
14995 @item sds @var{command}
14996 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
14997 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
15002 @subsection HP PA Embedded
15006 @kindex target op50n
15007 @item target op50n @var{dev}
15008 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
15010 @kindex target w89k
15011 @item target w89k @var{dev}
15012 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
15017 @subsection Renesas SH
15021 @kindex target hms@r{, with Renesas SH}
15022 @item target hms @var{dev}
15023 A Renesas SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
15024 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
15025 the communications speed used.
15027 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Renesas SH}
15028 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
15029 E7000 emulator for Renesas SH.
15031 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
15032 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
15033 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
15034 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
15035 Renesas SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
15040 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
15044 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
15045 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
15046 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
15047 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
15048 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
15051 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
15052 @kindex remotetimeout
15053 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
15054 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
15055 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
15058 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
15059 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
15060 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
15061 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
15062 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
15065 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
15068 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
15071 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
15074 @cindex running, on Sparclet
15076 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
15077 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
15078 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
15080 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
15087 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
15088 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
15089 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
15090 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
15093 @node Sparclet File
15094 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
15096 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
15099 (gdbslet) file prog
15103 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
15104 @value{GDBN} locates
15105 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
15107 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
15108 files will be searched as well.
15109 @value{GDBN} locates
15110 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
15111 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
15113 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
15116 prog: No such file or directory.
15119 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
15120 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
15121 @code{target} command again.
15123 @node Sparclet Connection
15124 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
15126 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
15127 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
15130 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
15131 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
15132 main () at ../prog.c:3
15136 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
15142 @node Sparclet Download
15143 @subsubsection Sparclet download
15145 @cindex download to Sparclet
15146 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
15147 you can use the @value{GDBN}
15148 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
15149 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
15151 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
15152 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
15153 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
15154 of each of the file's sections.
15155 For instance, if the program
15156 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
15157 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
15160 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
15161 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
15164 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
15165 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
15166 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
15168 @node Sparclet Execution
15169 @subsubsection Running and debugging
15171 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
15172 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
15173 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
15174 manual for the list of commands.
15178 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
15180 Starting program: prog
15181 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
15182 3 char *symarg = 0;
15184 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
15189 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
15193 @kindex target sparclite
15194 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
15195 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
15196 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
15197 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
15203 @subsection Tandem ST2000
15205 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
15208 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
15209 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
15212 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
15216 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
15217 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
15218 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
15219 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
15220 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
15222 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
15223 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
15224 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
15225 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
15226 available on your host computer.
15227 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
15228 @c basically hearsay.
15230 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
15231 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
15235 @item st2000 @var{command}
15236 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
15237 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
15238 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
15239 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
15240 manual for available commands.
15243 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
15244 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
15245 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
15246 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
15247 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
15248 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
15252 @subsection Zilog Z8000
15255 @cindex simulator, Z8000
15256 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
15258 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
15261 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
15262 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
15263 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
15264 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
15267 @item target sim @var{args}
15269 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
15270 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
15271 options, specify them via @var{args}.
15275 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
15276 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
15277 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
15278 to run your program, and so on.
15280 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
15281 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
15282 additional items of information as specially named registers:
15287 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
15290 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
15293 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
15297 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
15298 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
15299 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
15300 simulated clock ticks.
15303 @subsection Atmel AVR
15306 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
15307 following AVR-specific commands:
15310 @item info io_registers
15311 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
15312 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
15313 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
15314 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
15321 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
15322 following CRIS-specific commands:
15325 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
15326 @cindex CRIS version
15327 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
15328 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
15329 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
15331 @item show cris-version
15332 Show the current CRIS version.
15334 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
15335 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
15336 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
15337 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
15340 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
15341 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
15343 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
15345 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
15346 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
15347 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
15349 @item show cris-mode
15350 Show the current CRIS mode.
15354 @subsection Renesas Super-H
15357 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
15362 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
15363 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
15367 @subsection Windows CE
15370 The following commands are available for Windows CE:
15373 @item set remotedirectory @var{dir}
15374 @kindex set remotedirectory
15375 Tell @value{GDBN} to upload files from the named directory @var{dir}.
15376 The default is @file{/gdb}, i.e.@: the root directory on the current
15379 @item show remotedirectory
15380 @kindex show remotedirectory
15381 Show the current value of the upload directory.
15383 @item set remoteupload @var{method}
15384 @kindex set remoteupload
15385 Set the method used to upload files to remote device. Valid values
15386 for @var{method} are @samp{always}, @samp{newer}, and @samp{never}.
15387 The default is @samp{newer}.
15389 @item show remoteupload
15390 @kindex show remoteupload
15391 Show the current setting of the upload method.
15393 @item set remoteaddhost
15394 @kindex set remoteaddhost
15395 Tell @value{GDBN} whether to add this host to the remote stub's
15396 arguments when you debug over a network.
15398 @item show remoteaddhost
15399 @kindex show remoteaddhost
15400 Show whether to add this host to remote stub's arguments when
15401 debugging over a network.
15405 @node Architectures
15406 @section Architectures
15408 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
15409 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
15416 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
15420 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific issues.
15423 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
15424 @kindex set struct-convention
15425 @cindex struct return convention
15426 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
15427 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
15428 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
15429 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
15430 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
15431 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
15432 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
15433 be returned in a register.
15435 @item show struct-convention
15436 @kindex show struct-convention
15437 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
15446 @kindex set rstack_high_address
15447 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
15448 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
15449 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
15450 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
15451 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
15452 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
15453 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
15454 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
15455 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
15456 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
15457 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
15460 @kindex show rstack_high_address
15461 @item show rstack_high_address
15462 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
15470 See the following section.
15475 @cindex stack on Alpha
15476 @cindex stack on MIPS
15477 @cindex Alpha stack
15479 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
15480 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
15481 find the beginning of a function.
15483 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
15484 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
15485 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
15486 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
15490 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
15491 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
15492 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
15493 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
15494 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
15495 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
15496 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
15497 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
15499 @item show heuristic-fence-post
15500 Display the current limit.
15504 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
15505 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
15507 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
15511 @item set mips saved-gpreg-size @var{size}
15512 @kindex set mips saved-gpreg-size
15513 @cindex MIPS GP register size on stack
15514 Set the size of MIPS general-purpose registers saved on the stack.
15515 The argument @var{size} can be one of the following:
15519 32-bit GP registers
15521 64-bit GP registers
15523 Use the target's default setting or autodetect the saved size from the
15524 information contained in the executable. This is the default
15527 @item show mips saved-gpreg-size
15528 @kindex show mips saved-gpreg-size
15529 Show the current size of MIPS GP registers on the stack.
15531 @item set mips stack-arg-size @var{size}
15532 @kindex set mips stack-arg-size
15533 @cindex MIPS stack space for arguments
15534 Set the amount of stack space reserved for arguments to functions.
15535 The argument can be one of @code{"32"}, @code{"64"} or @code{"auto"}
15538 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
15539 @kindex set mips abi
15540 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
15541 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
15542 values of @var{arg} are:
15546 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
15557 @item show mips abi
15558 @kindex show mips abi
15559 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
15562 @itemx show mipsfpu
15563 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
15565 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
15566 @kindex set mips mask-address
15567 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
15568 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
15569 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
15570 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
15571 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
15573 @item show mips mask-address
15574 @kindex show mips mask-address
15575 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
15578 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15579 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15580 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
15581 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
15582 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
15583 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
15585 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15586 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15587 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
15589 @item set debug mips
15590 @kindex set debug mips
15591 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
15592 target code in @value{GDBN}.
15594 @item show debug mips
15595 @kindex show debug mips
15596 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
15602 @cindex HPPA support
15604 When @value{GDBN} is debugging te HP PA architecture, it provides the
15605 following special commands:
15608 @item set debug hppa
15609 @kindex set debug hppa
15610 THis command determines whether HPPA architecture specific debugging
15611 messages are to be displayed.
15613 @item show debug hppa
15614 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
15616 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
15617 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
15618 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
15619 given @var{address}.
15624 @node Controlling GDB
15625 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
15627 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
15628 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
15629 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
15634 * Editing:: Command editing
15635 * Command History:: Command history
15636 * Screen Size:: Screen size
15637 * Numbers:: Numbers
15638 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
15639 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
15640 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
15648 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
15649 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
15650 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
15651 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
15652 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
15653 which one you are talking to.
15655 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
15656 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
15657 or a prompt that does not.
15661 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
15662 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
15664 @kindex show prompt
15666 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
15670 @section Command editing
15672 @cindex command line editing
15674 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
15675 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
15676 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
15677 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
15678 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
15679 debugging sessions.
15681 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
15682 command @code{set}.
15685 @kindex set editing
15688 @itemx set editing on
15689 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
15691 @item set editing off
15692 Disable command line editing.
15694 @kindex show editing
15696 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
15699 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
15700 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
15701 encouraged to read that chapter.
15703 @node Command History
15704 @section Command history
15705 @cindex command history
15707 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
15708 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
15709 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
15712 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
15713 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
15714 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
15716 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
15717 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }. This
15718 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
15719 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
15720 pressed on a line by itself.
15722 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
15723 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
15724 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
15725 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
15727 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
15731 @cindex history substitution
15732 @cindex history file
15733 @kindex set history filename
15734 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
15735 @item set history filename @var{fname}
15736 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
15737 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
15738 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
15739 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
15740 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
15741 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
15742 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
15745 @cindex save command history
15746 @kindex set history save
15747 @item set history save
15748 @itemx set history save on
15749 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
15750 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
15752 @item set history save off
15753 Stop recording command history in a file.
15755 @cindex history size
15756 @kindex set history size
15757 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
15758 @item set history size @var{size}
15759 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
15760 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
15761 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
15764 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
15765 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
15767 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
15768 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
15769 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
15770 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
15771 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
15772 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
15773 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
15774 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
15776 The commands to control history expansion are:
15779 @item set history expansion on
15780 @itemx set history expansion
15781 @kindex set history expansion
15782 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
15784 @item set history expansion off
15785 Disable history expansion.
15788 @kindex show history
15790 @itemx show history filename
15791 @itemx show history save
15792 @itemx show history size
15793 @itemx show history expansion
15794 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
15795 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
15800 @kindex show commands
15801 @cindex show last commands
15802 @cindex display command history
15803 @item show commands
15804 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
15806 @item show commands @var{n}
15807 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
15809 @item show commands +
15810 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
15814 @section Screen size
15815 @cindex size of screen
15816 @cindex pauses in output
15818 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
15819 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
15820 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
15821 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
15822 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
15823 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
15824 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
15825 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
15827 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
15828 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
15829 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
15830 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
15831 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
15838 @kindex show height
15839 @item set height @var{lpp}
15841 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
15843 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
15844 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
15845 commands display the current settings.
15847 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
15848 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
15849 file or to an editor buffer.
15851 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
15852 from wrapping its output.
15854 @item set pagination on
15855 @itemx set pagination off
15856 @kindex set pagination
15857 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
15858 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
15860 @item show pagination
15861 @kindex show pagination
15862 Show the current pagination mode.
15867 @cindex number representation
15868 @cindex entering numbers
15870 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
15871 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
15872 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
15873 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
15874 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
15875 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
15876 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
15877 both input and output with the commands described below.
15880 @kindex set input-radix
15881 @item set input-radix @var{base}
15882 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
15883 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
15884 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
15888 set input-radix 012
15889 set input-radix 10.
15890 set input-radix 0xa
15894 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
15895 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
15896 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
15897 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
15898 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
15901 @kindex set output-radix
15902 @item set output-radix @var{base}
15903 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
15904 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
15905 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
15907 @kindex show input-radix
15908 @item show input-radix
15909 Display the current default base for numeric input.
15911 @kindex show output-radix
15912 @item show output-radix
15913 Display the current default base for numeric display.
15915 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
15919 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
15920 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
15921 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
15922 default value of 10.
15927 @section Configuring the current ABI
15929 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
15930 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
15931 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
15938 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
15939 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
15940 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
15941 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
15942 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
15943 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
15944 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
15949 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
15952 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
15954 @item set osabi @var{abi}
15955 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
15958 @cindex float promotion
15960 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
15961 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
15962 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
15963 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
15964 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
15965 @code{double} and then passed.
15967 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
15968 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
15969 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
15972 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
15973 @item set coerce-float-to-double
15974 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
15975 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
15976 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
15978 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
15979 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
15982 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
15983 @item show coerce-float-to-double
15984 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
15988 @kindex show cp-abi
15989 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
15990 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
15991 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
15992 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
15993 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
15994 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
15995 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
15996 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
15997 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
15998 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
16003 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
16006 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
16008 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
16009 @itemx set cp-abi auto
16010 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
16013 @node Messages/Warnings
16014 @section Optional warnings and messages
16016 @cindex verbose operation
16017 @cindex optional warnings
16018 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
16019 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
16020 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
16021 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
16023 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
16024 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
16025 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
16028 @kindex set verbose
16029 @item set verbose on
16030 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
16032 @item set verbose off
16033 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
16035 @kindex show verbose
16037 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
16040 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
16041 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
16042 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
16047 @kindex set complaints
16048 @item set complaints @var{limit}
16049 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
16050 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
16051 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
16052 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
16054 @kindex show complaints
16055 @item show complaints
16056 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
16060 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
16061 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
16062 you try to run a program which is already running:
16066 The program being debugged has been started already.
16067 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
16070 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
16071 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
16075 @kindex set confirm
16077 @cindex confirmation
16078 @cindex stupid questions
16079 @item set confirm off
16080 Disables confirmation requests.
16082 @item set confirm on
16083 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
16085 @kindex show confirm
16087 Displays state of confirmation requests.
16091 @cindex command tracing
16092 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
16093 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
16094 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
16095 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
16098 @kindex set trace-commands
16099 @cindex command scripts, debugging
16100 @item set trace-commands on
16101 Enable command tracing.
16102 @item set trace-commands off
16103 Disable command tracing.
16104 @item show trace-commands
16105 Display the current state of command tracing.
16108 @node Debugging Output
16109 @section Optional messages about internal happenings
16110 @cindex optional debugging messages
16112 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
16113 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
16114 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
16115 section documents those commands.
16118 @kindex set exec-done-display
16119 @item set exec-done-display
16120 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
16121 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
16122 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
16123 @kindex show exec-done-display
16124 @item show exec-done-display
16125 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
16128 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
16129 @cindex architecture debugging info
16130 @item set debug arch
16131 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
16133 @item show debug arch
16134 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
16135 @item set debug aix-thread
16136 @cindex AIX threads
16137 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
16139 @item show debug aix-thread
16140 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
16141 @item set debug event
16142 @cindex event debugging info
16143 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
16145 @item show debug event
16146 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
16148 @item set debug expression
16149 @cindex expression debugging info
16150 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
16151 expression parsing. The default is off.
16152 @item show debug expression
16153 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
16154 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
16155 @item set debug frame
16156 @cindex frame debugging info
16157 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
16159 @item show debug frame
16160 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
16162 @item set debug infrun
16163 @cindex inferior debugging info
16164 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
16165 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
16166 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
16167 @item show debug infrun
16168 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
16169 @item set debug lin-lwp
16170 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
16171 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
16172 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
16173 @item show debug lin-lwp
16174 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
16175 @item set debug observer
16176 @cindex observer debugging info
16177 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
16178 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
16179 @item show debug observer
16180 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
16181 @item set debug overload
16182 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
16183 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
16184 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
16186 @item show debug overload
16187 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
16189 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
16190 @cindex serial connections, debugging
16191 @cindex debug remote protocol
16192 @cindex remote protocol debugging
16193 @cindex display remote packets
16194 @item set debug remote
16195 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
16196 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
16197 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
16198 @item show debug remote
16199 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
16200 @item set debug serial
16201 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
16203 @item show debug serial
16204 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
16206 @item set debug solib-frv
16207 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
16208 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
16209 @item show debug solib-frv
16210 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
16212 @item set debug target
16213 @cindex target debugging info
16214 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
16215 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
16216 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
16217 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
16218 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
16219 @item show debug target
16220 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
16222 @item set debugvarobj
16223 @cindex variable object debugging info
16224 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
16225 info. The default is off.
16226 @item show debugvarobj
16227 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
16232 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
16234 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
16235 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
16236 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
16240 * Define:: How to define your own commands
16241 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
16242 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
16243 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
16247 @section User-defined commands
16249 @cindex user-defined command
16250 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
16251 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
16252 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
16253 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
16254 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
16255 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
16259 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
16264 To execute the command use:
16271 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
16272 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
16273 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
16276 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
16277 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
16278 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
16279 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
16284 print $arg0 + $arg1
16287 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
16295 @item define @var{commandname}
16296 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
16297 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
16299 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
16300 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
16301 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
16304 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
16305 @item document @var{commandname}
16306 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
16307 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
16308 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
16309 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
16310 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
16311 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
16313 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
16314 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
16315 does not change the documentation.
16317 @kindex dont-repeat
16318 @cindex don't repeat command
16320 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
16321 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
16322 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
16324 @kindex help user-defined
16325 @item help user-defined
16326 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
16331 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
16332 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
16333 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
16334 definitions for all user-defined commands.
16336 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
16337 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
16338 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
16339 @item show max-user-call-depth
16340 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
16341 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
16342 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before GDB suspects an
16343 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
16346 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
16347 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
16349 When user-defined commands are executed, the
16350 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
16351 stops execution of the user-defined command.
16353 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
16354 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
16355 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
16356 messages when used in a user-defined command.
16359 @section User-defined command hooks
16360 @cindex command hooks
16361 @cindex hooks, for commands
16362 @cindex hooks, pre-command
16365 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
16366 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
16367 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
16368 before that command.
16370 @cindex hooks, post-command
16372 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
16373 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
16374 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
16375 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
16376 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
16378 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
16379 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
16381 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
16382 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
16384 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
16385 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
16386 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
16387 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
16388 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
16390 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
16391 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
16396 handle SIGALRM nopass
16400 handle SIGALRM pass
16403 define hook-continue
16404 handle SIGLARM pass
16408 As a further example, to hook at the begining and end of the @code{echo}
16409 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
16417 define hookpost-echo
16421 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
16422 <<<---Hello World--->>>
16427 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
16428 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
16429 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
16430 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
16432 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
16433 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
16434 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
16436 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
16437 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
16439 @node Command Files
16440 @section Command files
16442 @cindex command files
16443 @cindex scripting commands
16444 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
16445 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
16446 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
16447 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
16450 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
16455 @cindex execute commands from a file
16456 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
16457 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
16460 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
16461 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
16462 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
16463 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
16464 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
16466 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
16467 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
16469 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
16470 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
16471 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
16473 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
16474 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
16475 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
16476 when called from command files.
16478 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
16479 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
16480 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
16481 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
16485 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
16488 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
16489 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
16490 would be directed to @file{log}.
16492 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
16493 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
16494 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
16495 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
16496 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
16497 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
16498 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
16499 conditionally, etc.
16506 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
16507 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
16508 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
16509 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
16510 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
16511 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
16512 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
16516 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
16517 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
16518 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
16519 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
16520 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
16521 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
16525 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
16526 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
16529 @kindex loop_continue
16530 @item loop_continue
16531 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
16532 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
16533 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
16534 the controlling expression.
16536 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
16538 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
16539 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
16544 @section Commands for controlled output
16546 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
16547 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
16548 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
16549 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
16554 @item echo @var{text}
16555 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
16556 @c because it is not in ANSI.
16557 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
16558 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
16559 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
16560 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
16561 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
16562 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
16563 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
16564 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
16565 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
16567 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
16568 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
16571 echo This is some text\n\
16572 which is continued\n\
16573 onto several lines.\n
16576 produces the same output as
16579 echo This is some text\n
16580 echo which is continued\n
16581 echo onto several lines.\n
16585 @item output @var{expression}
16586 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
16587 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
16588 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
16591 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
16592 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
16593 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
16594 formats}, for more information.
16597 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
16598 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
16599 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
16600 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
16601 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
16603 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
16604 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
16605 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
16609 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
16612 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
16615 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
16618 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
16619 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
16624 @chapter Command Interpreters
16625 @cindex command interpreters
16627 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
16628 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
16629 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
16631 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
16632 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
16633 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
16634 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
16636 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
16637 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
16638 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
16639 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
16643 @cindex console interpreter
16644 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
16645 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
16646 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
16649 @cindex mi interpreter
16650 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
16651 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
16652 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
16656 @cindex mi2 interpreter
16657 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
16660 @cindex mi1 interpreter
16661 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
16665 @cindex invoke another interpreter
16666 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
16667 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
16668 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
16669 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
16670 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
16671 the IDE inoperable!
16673 @kindex interpreter-exec
16674 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
16675 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
16676 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
16677 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
16680 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
16683 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
16684 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
16687 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
16689 @cindex Text User Interface
16692 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
16693 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
16694 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
16695 * TUI Commands:: TUI specific commands
16696 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
16699 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface, TUI in short, is a terminal
16700 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
16701 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
16702 commands in separate text windows.
16704 The TUI is enabled by invoking @value{GDBN} using either
16706 @samp{gdbtui} or @samp{gdb -tui}.
16709 @section TUI overview
16711 The TUI has two display modes that can be switched while
16716 A curses (or TUI) mode in which it displays several text
16717 windows on the terminal.
16720 A standard mode which corresponds to the @value{GDBN} configured without
16724 In the TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text window
16729 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
16730 prompt and the @value{GDBN} outputs. The @value{GDBN} input is still
16731 managed using readline but through the TUI. The @emph{command}
16732 window is always visible.
16735 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
16736 line as well as active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
16739 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
16742 This window shows the processor registers. It detects when
16743 a register is changed and when this is the case, registers that have
16744 changed are highlighted.
16748 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
16749 by highlighting the current line and marking them with the @samp{>} marker.
16750 Breakpoints are also indicated with two markers. A first one
16751 indicates the breakpoint type:
16755 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
16758 Breakpoint which was never hit.
16761 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
16764 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
16768 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
16772 Breakpoint is enabled.
16775 Breakpoint is disabled.
16779 The source, assembly and register windows are attached to the thread
16780 and the frame position. They are updated when the current thread
16781 changes, when the frame changes or when the program counter changes.
16782 These three windows are arranged by the TUI according to several
16783 layouts. The layout defines which of these three windows are visible.
16784 The following layouts are available:
16794 source and assembly
16797 source and registers
16800 assembly and registers
16804 On top of the command window a status line gives various information
16805 concerning the current process begin debugged. The status line is
16806 updated when the information it shows changes. The following fields
16811 Indicates the current gdb target
16812 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16815 Gives information about the current process or thread number.
16816 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
16819 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
16820 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
16821 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter
16822 the string @code{??} is displayed.
16825 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
16826 When the current line number is not known the string @code{??} is displayed.
16829 Indicates the current program counter address.
16834 @section TUI Key Bindings
16835 @cindex TUI key bindings
16837 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
16838 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
16839 They allow to leave or enter in the TUI mode or they operate
16840 directly on the TUI layout and windows. The TUI also provides
16841 a @emph{SingleKey} keymap which binds several keys directly to
16842 @value{GDBN} commands. The following key bindings
16843 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
16852 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When the TUI mode is left,
16853 the curses window management is left and @value{GDBN} operates using
16854 its standard mode writing on the terminal directly. When the TUI
16855 mode is entered, the control is given back to the curses windows.
16856 The screen is then refreshed.
16860 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
16861 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
16862 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
16864 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
16868 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
16869 layout shows already two windows, a next layout with two windows is used.
16870 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
16871 previous layout and the new one.
16873 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
16877 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
16878 (like scrolling and arrow keys) to the active window. This command
16879 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
16881 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
16885 Use the TUI @emph{SingleKey} keymap that binds single key to gdb commands
16886 (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
16890 The following key bindings are handled only by the TUI mode:
16895 Scroll the active window one page up.
16899 Scroll the active window one page down.
16903 Scroll the active window one line up.
16907 Scroll the active window one line down.
16911 Scroll the active window one column left.
16915 Scroll the active window one column right.
16919 Refresh the screen.
16923 In the TUI mode, the arrow keys are used by the active window
16924 for scrolling. This means they are available for readline when the
16925 active window is the command window. When the command window
16926 does not have the focus, it is necessary to use other readline
16927 key bindings such as @key{C-p}, @key{C-n}, @key{C-b} and @key{C-f}.
16929 @node TUI Single Key Mode
16930 @section TUI Single Key Mode
16931 @cindex TUI single key mode
16933 The TUI provides a @emph{SingleKey} mode in which it installs a particular
16934 key binding in the readline keymaps to connect single keys to
16938 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16942 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16946 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16950 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16954 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16956 exit the @emph{SingleKey} mode.
16958 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16962 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16966 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16970 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16974 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16980 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
16981 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
16982 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
16983 with the TUI @emph{SingleKey} mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
16984 @emph{SingleKey} mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
16985 this mode is by hitting @key{q} or @samp{@key{C-x} @key{s}}.
16989 @section TUI specific commands
16990 @cindex TUI commands
16992 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
16993 These commands are always available, that is they do not depend on
16994 the current terminal mode in which @value{GDBN} runs. When @value{GDBN}
16995 is in the standard mode, using these commands will automatically switch
17001 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
17005 Display the next layout.
17008 Display the previous layout.
17011 Display the source window only.
17014 Display the assembly window only.
17017 Display the source and assembly window.
17020 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
17022 @item focus next | prev | src | asm | regs | split
17024 Set the focus to the named window.
17025 This command allows to change the active window so that scrolling keys
17026 can be affected to another window.
17030 Refresh the screen. This is similar to using @key{C-L} key.
17032 @item tui reg float
17034 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
17036 @item tui reg general
17037 Show the general registers in the register window.
17040 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
17041 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
17042 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
17043 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
17045 @item tui reg system
17046 Show the system registers in the register window.
17050 Update the source window and the current execution point.
17052 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
17053 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
17055 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
17056 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
17060 @kindex tabset @var{nchars}
17061 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
17065 @node TUI Configuration
17066 @section TUI configuration variables
17067 @cindex TUI configuration variables
17069 The TUI has several configuration variables that control the
17070 appearance of windows on the terminal.
17073 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
17074 @kindex set tui border-kind
17075 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
17076 The possible values are the following:
17079 Use a space character to draw the border.
17082 Use ascii characters + - and | to draw the border.
17085 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
17086 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
17090 @item set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
17091 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
17092 Select the attributes to display the border of the active window.
17093 The possible values are @code{normal}, @code{standout}, @code{reverse},
17094 @code{half}, @code{half-standout}, @code{bold} and @code{bold-standout}.
17096 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
17097 @kindex set tui border-mode
17098 Select the attributes to display the border of other windows.
17099 The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
17102 Use normal attributes to display the border.
17108 Use reverse video mode.
17111 Use half bright mode.
17113 @item half-standout
17114 Use half bright and standout mode.
17117 Use extra bright or bold mode.
17119 @item bold-standout
17120 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
17127 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
17130 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
17131 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
17132 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
17135 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
17136 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
17137 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
17138 created Emacs buffer.
17139 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
17141 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
17146 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
17149 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
17150 and output done by the program you are debugging.
17152 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
17153 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
17156 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
17157 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
17158 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
17163 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
17166 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
17167 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
17168 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
17169 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
17172 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
17173 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
17175 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
17176 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
17177 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
17178 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
17179 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
17180 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
17181 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
17182 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
17183 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
17185 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
17186 line of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer and this serves as a default for
17187 the commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate
17188 on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
17190 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
17191 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
17192 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
17193 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
17196 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
17197 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
17201 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
17204 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
17205 update the display window to show the current file and location.
17208 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
17209 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
17210 to show the current file and location.
17213 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
17214 display window accordingly.
17217 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
17218 @code{finish} command.
17221 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
17225 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
17226 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
17227 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
17230 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
17231 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
17234 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gud-break})
17235 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
17237 If you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, then Emacs displays a separate frame which
17238 shows a backtrace when the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer is current. Move
17239 point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it become the
17240 current frame and display the associated source in the source buffer.
17241 Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the selected frame become the
17244 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
17245 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
17246 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
17247 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
17250 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
17251 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
17252 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
17253 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
17254 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
17255 to correspond properly with the code.
17257 The description given here is for GNU Emacs version 21.3 and a more
17258 detailed description of its interaction with @value{GDBN} is given in
17259 the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}).
17261 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
17262 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
17264 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
17268 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
17269 called the @code{epoch}
17270 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
17271 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
17272 each value is printed in its own window.
17277 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
17279 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
17281 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
17282 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
17283 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
17284 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
17285 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
17286 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
17288 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
17289 in the form of a reference manual.
17291 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
17292 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
17293 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
17295 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
17297 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
17298 This chapter uses the following notation:
17302 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
17305 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
17306 it may or may not be given.
17309 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
17310 may repeat zero or more times.
17313 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
17314 may repeat one or more times.
17317 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
17321 @heading Dependencies
17325 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
17326 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
17327 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
17328 * GDB/MI Output Records::
17329 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
17330 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
17331 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
17332 * GDB/MI Program Context::
17333 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
17334 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
17335 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
17336 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
17337 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
17338 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
17339 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
17340 * GDB/MI File Commands::
17342 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
17343 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
17344 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
17346 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
17347 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
17350 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17351 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
17352 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
17355 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
17356 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
17359 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
17360 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
17362 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
17363 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
17365 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
17366 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
17368 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
17369 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
17370 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
17372 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
17373 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
17374 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
17376 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
17377 "any sequence of digits"
17379 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
17380 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
17382 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
17383 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
17385 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
17386 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
17388 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
17389 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
17390 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
17392 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
17393 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
17395 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
17404 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
17405 output is described below.
17408 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
17412 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
17413 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
17414 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
17415 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
17416 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
17423 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
17426 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
17429 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
17430 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
17432 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
17433 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
17434 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
17435 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
17436 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
17437 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
17439 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
17440 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
17444 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
17445 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
17447 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
17448 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
17450 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
17451 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
17453 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
17454 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
17456 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
17457 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
17459 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
17460 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
17462 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
17463 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
17465 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
17466 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
17468 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
17469 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
17471 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
17472 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
17473 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
17475 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
17476 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
17478 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
17479 @code{ @var{string} }
17481 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
17482 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
17484 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
17485 @code{@var{c-string}}
17487 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
17488 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
17490 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
17491 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
17492 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
17494 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
17495 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
17497 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
17498 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
17500 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
17501 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
17503 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
17504 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
17506 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
17509 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
17510 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
17518 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
17521 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. If an execution
17522 command is interrupted by the @samp{-exec-interrupt} command, the
17523 @var{token} associated with the @samp{*stopped} message is the one of the
17524 original execution command, not the one of the interrupt command.
17527 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17528 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
17529 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
17530 prefixed by @samp{+}.
17533 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17534 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
17535 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
17539 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17540 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
17541 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
17542 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
17545 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17546 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
17547 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
17548 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
17551 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17552 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
17553 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
17556 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17557 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
17558 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
17559 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
17562 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17563 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
17569 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
17570 details about the various output records.
17572 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17573 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
17574 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
17576 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
17577 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
17579 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
17580 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
17581 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
17582 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
17583 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
17584 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
17586 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
17587 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
17588 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
17590 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17591 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
17592 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
17593 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
17595 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
17596 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
17598 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
17599 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
17600 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
17601 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
17604 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
17605 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
17606 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
17607 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
17611 New MI commands may be added.
17614 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
17616 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
17617 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
17619 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
17620 @c resolve inconsistencies.
17623 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
17624 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
17625 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
17626 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
17627 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
17629 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
17632 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
17633 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
17634 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
17635 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}. There is also the mailing list
17636 @email{dmi-discuss@@lists.freestandards.org}, hosted by the Free Standards
17637 Group, which has the aim of creating a a more general MI protocol
17638 called Debugger Machine Interface (DMI) that will become a standard
17639 for all debuggers, not just @value{GDBN}.
17640 @cindex mailing lists
17642 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17643 @node GDB/MI Output Records
17644 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
17647 * GDB/MI Result Records::
17648 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
17649 * GDB/MI Out-of-band Records::
17652 @node GDB/MI Result Records
17653 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
17655 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17656 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
17657 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
17658 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
17662 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
17663 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
17668 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
17669 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
17674 GDB has connected to a remote target.
17676 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
17678 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
17683 GDB has terminated.
17687 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
17688 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
17690 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
17691 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17692 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
17693 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
17694 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
17696 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
17697 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
17698 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
17699 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
17700 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
17703 @item "~" @var{string-output}
17704 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
17705 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
17707 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
17708 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
17709 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
17710 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
17712 @item "&" @var{string-output}
17713 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
17717 @node GDB/MI Out-of-band Records
17718 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Out-of-band Records
17720 @cindex out-of-band records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17721 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, out-of-band records
17722 @dfn{Out-of-band} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
17723 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
17724 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
17725 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
17727 The following is a preliminary list of possible out-of-band records.
17728 In particular, the @var{exec-async-output} records.
17731 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}"
17734 @var{reason} can be one of the following:
17737 @item breakpoint-hit
17738 A breakpoint was reached.
17739 @item watchpoint-trigger
17740 A watchpoint was triggered.
17741 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
17742 A read watchpoint was triggered.
17743 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
17744 An access watchpoint was triggered.
17745 @item function-finished
17746 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
17747 @item location-reached
17748 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
17749 @item watchpoint-scope
17750 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
17751 @item end-stepping-range
17752 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
17753 similar CLI command was accomplished.
17754 @item exited-signalled
17755 The inferior exited because of a signal.
17757 The inferior exited.
17758 @item exited-normally
17759 The inferior exited normally.
17760 @item signal-received
17761 A signal was received by the inferior.
17765 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17766 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
17767 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
17768 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
17770 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
17771 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
17772 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
17773 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
17775 Note the the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
17776 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
17778 @subheading Setting a breakpoint
17780 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
17781 information of the breakpoint.
17784 -> -break-insert main
17785 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
17786 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
17787 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
17791 @subheading Program Execution
17793 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
17794 reason that execution stopped.
17800 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
17801 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
17802 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
17803 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
17808 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
17812 @subheading Quitting GDB
17814 Quitting GDB just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
17822 @subheading A Bad Command
17824 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
17828 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
17833 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17834 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
17835 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
17837 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
17838 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
17840 @subheading Motivation
17842 The motivation for this collection of commands.
17844 @subheading Introduction
17846 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
17848 @subheading Commands
17850 For each command in the block, the following is described:
17852 @subsubheading Synopsis
17855 -command @var{args}@dots{}
17858 @subsubheading Result
17860 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17862 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
17864 @subsubheading Example
17866 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
17867 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
17870 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17871 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
17872 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
17874 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
17875 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
17876 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
17879 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
17880 @findex -break-after
17882 @subsubheading Synopsis
17885 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
17888 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
17889 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
17890 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
17891 @samp{-break-list} command below.
17893 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17895 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
17897 @subsubheading Example
17902 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x000100d0",file="hello.c",
17903 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
17910 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17911 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17912 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17913 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17914 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17915 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17916 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17917 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17918 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17919 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
17924 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
17925 @findex -break-catch
17927 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
17928 @findex -break-commands
17932 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
17933 @findex -break-condition
17935 @subsubheading Synopsis
17938 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
17941 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
17942 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
17943 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
17946 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17948 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
17950 @subsubheading Example
17954 -break-condition 1 1
17958 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17959 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17960 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17961 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17962 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17963 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17964 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17965 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17966 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17967 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
17971 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
17972 @findex -break-delete
17974 @subsubheading Synopsis
17977 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17980 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
17981 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
17983 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
17985 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
17987 @subsubheading Example
17995 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
17996 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17997 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17998 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17999 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18000 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18001 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18006 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
18007 @findex -break-disable
18009 @subsubheading Synopsis
18012 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
18015 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
18016 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
18018 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18020 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
18022 @subsubheading Example
18030 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
18031 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18032 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18033 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18034 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18035 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18036 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18037 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
18038 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
18039 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
18043 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
18044 @findex -break-enable
18046 @subsubheading Synopsis
18049 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
18052 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
18054 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18056 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
18058 @subsubheading Example
18066 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
18067 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18068 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18069 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18070 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18071 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18072 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18073 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18074 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
18075 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
18079 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
18080 @findex -break-info
18082 @subsubheading Synopsis
18085 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
18089 Get information about a single breakpoint.
18091 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
18093 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
18095 @subsubheading Example
18098 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
18099 @findex -break-insert
18101 @subsubheading Synopsis
18104 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -r ]
18105 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
18106 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{line} | @var{addr} ]
18110 If specified, @var{line}, can be one of:
18117 @item filename:linenum
18118 @item filename:function
18122 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
18126 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
18128 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
18129 @item -c @var{condition}
18130 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
18131 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
18132 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
18134 Insert a regular breakpoint in all the functions whose names match the
18135 given regular expression. Other flags are not applicable to regular
18139 @subsubheading Result
18141 The result is in the form:
18144 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
18145 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
18146 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
18147 times="@var{times}"@}
18151 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
18152 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
18153 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
18154 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
18155 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
18156 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
18157 which use the same output).
18159 Note: this format is open to change.
18160 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
18162 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18164 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
18165 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
18167 @subsubheading Example
18172 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
18173 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
18175 -break-insert -t foo
18176 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
18177 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
18180 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
18181 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18182 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18183 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18184 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18185 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18186 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18187 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18188 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
18189 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
18190 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
18191 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
18192 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
18194 -break-insert -r foo.*
18195 ~int foo(int, int);
18196 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
18197 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
18201 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
18202 @findex -break-list
18204 @subsubheading Synopsis
18210 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
18214 number of the breakpoint
18216 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
18218 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
18221 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
18223 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
18225 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
18228 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
18231 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
18232 @code{body} field is an empty list.
18234 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18236 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
18238 @subsubheading Example
18243 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
18244 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18245 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18246 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18247 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18248 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18249 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18250 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18251 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
18252 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18253 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
18254 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
18258 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
18263 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
18264 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18265 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18266 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18267 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18268 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18269 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18274 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
18275 @findex -break-watch
18277 @subsubheading Synopsis
18280 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
18283 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
18284 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e. a watchpoint that triggers either on a
18285 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
18286 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e. it will
18287 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
18288 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
18289 i.e. it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
18290 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting watchpoints}.
18292 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
18293 breakpoints inserted.
18295 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18297 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
18300 @subsubheading Example
18302 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
18307 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
18311 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
18312 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
18313 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
18314 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
18318 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
18319 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
18320 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
18325 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
18329 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
18330 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
18331 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
18332 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18333 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
18337 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
18338 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
18339 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
18340 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18341 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
18345 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
18346 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
18352 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
18355 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
18356 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18357 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18358 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18359 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18360 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18361 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18362 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18363 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
18364 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18365 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
18366 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
18367 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
18371 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
18372 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
18373 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
18374 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18375 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
18378 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
18379 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18380 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18381 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18382 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18383 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18384 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18385 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18386 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
18387 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18388 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
18389 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
18390 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
18394 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
18395 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
18396 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
18397 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18398 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
18401 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
18402 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18403 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18404 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18405 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18406 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18407 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18408 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18409 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
18410 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18411 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
18416 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18417 @node GDB/MI Program Context
18418 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
18420 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
18421 @findex -exec-arguments
18424 @subsubheading Synopsis
18427 -exec-arguments @var{args}
18430 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
18433 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18435 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
18437 @subsubheading Example
18440 Don't have one around.
18443 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
18444 @findex -exec-show-arguments
18446 @subsubheading Synopsis
18449 -exec-show-arguments
18452 Print the arguments of the program.
18454 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18456 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
18458 @subsubheading Example
18462 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
18463 @findex -environment-cd
18465 @subsubheading Synopsis
18468 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
18471 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
18473 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18475 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
18477 @subsubheading Example
18481 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
18487 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
18488 @findex -environment-directory
18490 @subsubheading Synopsis
18493 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
18496 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
18497 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
18498 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
18499 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
18501 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
18502 multiple directories in a single command
18503 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
18504 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
18505 If blanks are needed as
18506 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
18507 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
18508 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-seperator
18509 character must not be used
18510 in any directory name.
18511 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
18513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
18517 @subsubheading Example
18521 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
18522 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
18524 -environment-directory ""
18525 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
18527 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
18528 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
18530 -environment-directory -r
18531 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
18536 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
18537 @findex -environment-path
18539 @subsubheading Synopsis
18542 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
18545 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
18546 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
18547 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
18548 supplied in addition to the
18549 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
18551 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
18552 multiple directories in a single command
18553 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
18554 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
18555 If blanks are needed as
18556 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
18557 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
18558 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-seperator
18559 character must not be used
18560 in any directory name.
18561 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
18564 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18566 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
18568 @subsubheading Example
18573 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
18575 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
18576 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
18578 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
18579 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
18584 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
18585 @findex -environment-pwd
18587 @subsubheading Synopsis
18593 Show the current working directory.
18595 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
18597 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
18599 @subsubheading Example
18604 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
18608 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18609 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
18610 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
18613 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
18614 @findex -thread-info
18616 @subsubheading Synopsis
18622 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
18626 @subsubheading Example
18630 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-all-threads} Command
18631 @findex -thread-list-all-threads
18633 @subsubheading Synopsis
18636 -thread-list-all-threads
18639 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18641 The equivalent @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info threads}.
18643 @subsubheading Example
18647 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
18648 @findex -thread-list-ids
18650 @subsubheading Synopsis
18656 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
18657 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
18659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18661 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
18663 @subsubheading Example
18665 No threads present, besides the main process:
18670 ^done,thread-ids=@{@},number-of-threads="0"
18680 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
18681 number-of-threads="3"
18686 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
18687 @findex -thread-select
18689 @subsubheading Synopsis
18692 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
18695 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
18696 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
18698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18700 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
18702 @subsubheading Example
18709 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
18710 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
18714 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
18715 number-of-threads="3"
18718 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
18719 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
18720 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
18721 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
18725 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18726 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
18727 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
18729 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
18730 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently GDB only really executes
18731 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
18734 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
18735 @findex -exec-continue
18737 @subsubheading Synopsis
18743 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
18744 encountered, or until the inferior exits.
18746 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18748 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
18750 @subsubheading Example
18757 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="2",frame=@{func="foo",args=[],
18758 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="13"@}
18763 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
18764 @findex -exec-finish
18766 @subsubheading Synopsis
18772 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
18773 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
18775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18777 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
18779 @subsubheading Example
18781 Function returning @code{void}.
18788 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
18789 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
18793 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
18794 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
18801 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
18802 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
18803 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
18804 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
18809 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
18810 @findex -exec-interrupt
18812 @subsubheading Synopsis
18818 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
18819 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
18820 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
18821 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
18822 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
18824 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18826 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
18828 @subsubheading Example
18839 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
18840 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
18841 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
18846 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
18851 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
18854 @subsubheading Synopsis
18860 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
18861 of the next source line is reached.
18863 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18865 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
18867 @subsubheading Example
18873 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
18878 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
18879 @findex -exec-next-instruction
18881 @subsubheading Synopsis
18884 -exec-next-instruction
18887 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
18888 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
18889 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
18892 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18894 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
18896 @subsubheading Example
18900 -exec-next-instruction
18904 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
18905 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
18910 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
18911 @findex -exec-return
18913 @subsubheading Synopsis
18919 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
18920 Displays the new current frame.
18922 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18924 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
18926 @subsubheading Example
18930 200-break-insert callee4
18931 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
18932 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
18937 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",
18938 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
18939 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18940 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
18946 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
18947 args=[@{name="strarg",
18948 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
18949 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18950 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
18955 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
18958 @subsubheading Synopsis
18964 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
18965 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
18966 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
18967 the program has exited exceptionally.
18969 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18971 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
18973 @subsubheading Examples
18978 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
18983 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",
18984 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
18985 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
18990 Program exited normally:
18998 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
19003 Program exited exceptionally:
19011 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
19015 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
19016 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
19020 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
19021 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
19025 @c @subheading -exec-signal
19028 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
19031 @subsubheading Synopsis
19037 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
19038 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
19039 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
19042 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19044 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
19046 @subsubheading Example
19048 Stepping into a function:
19054 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19055 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
19056 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
19057 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
19067 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
19072 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
19073 @findex -exec-step-instruction
19075 @subsubheading Synopsis
19078 -exec-step-instruction
19081 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
19082 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
19083 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
19084 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
19087 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19089 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
19091 @subsubheading Example
19095 -exec-step-instruction
19099 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19100 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
19101 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
19103 -exec-step-instruction
19107 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19108 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
19109 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
19114 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
19115 @findex -exec-until
19117 @subsubheading Synopsis
19120 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
19123 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
19124 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
19125 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
19126 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
19128 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19130 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
19132 @subsubheading Example
19136 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
19140 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
19141 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
19146 @subheading -file-clear
19147 Is this going away????
19150 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19151 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
19152 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
19155 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
19156 @findex -stack-info-frame
19158 @subsubheading Synopsis
19164 Get info on the selected frame.
19166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19168 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
19169 (without arguments).
19171 @subsubheading Example
19176 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
19177 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19178 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
19182 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
19183 @findex -stack-info-depth
19185 @subsubheading Synopsis
19188 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
19191 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
19192 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
19194 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19196 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
19198 @subsubheading Example
19200 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
19207 -stack-info-depth 4
19210 -stack-info-depth 12
19213 -stack-info-depth 11
19216 -stack-info-depth 13
19221 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
19222 @findex -stack-list-arguments
19224 @subsubheading Synopsis
19227 -stack-list-arguments @var{show-values}
19228 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
19231 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
19232 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
19233 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole call
19236 The @var{show-values} argument must have a value of 0 or 1. A value of
19237 0 means that only the names of the arguments are listed, a value of 1
19238 means that both names and values of the arguments are printed.
19240 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19242 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
19243 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
19244 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
19246 @subsubheading Example
19253 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
19254 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19255 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
19256 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
19257 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19258 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
19259 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
19260 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19261 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
19262 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
19263 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19264 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
19265 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
19266 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19267 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
19269 -stack-list-arguments 0
19272 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
19273 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
19274 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
19275 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
19276 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
19278 -stack-list-arguments 1
19281 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
19283 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
19284 frame=@{level="2",args=[
19285 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19286 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
19287 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
19288 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19289 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
19290 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
19291 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
19293 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
19294 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
19296 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
19297 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
19298 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19299 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
19303 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
19306 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
19307 @findex -stack-list-frames
19309 @subsubheading Synopsis
19312 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
19315 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
19320 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e. the innermost function.
19322 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
19326 File name of the source file where the function lives.
19328 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
19331 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
19332 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
19333 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
19334 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
19335 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
19336 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger then the
19337 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
19339 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19341 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
19343 @subsubheading Example
19345 Full stack backtrace:
19351 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
19352 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
19353 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19354 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19355 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19356 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19357 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19358 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19359 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19360 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19361 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19362 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19363 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19364 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19365 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19366 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19367 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19368 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19369 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19370 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19371 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19372 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19373 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
19374 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
19378 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
19382 -stack-list-frames 3 5
19384 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19385 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19386 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19387 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19388 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19389 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
19393 Show a single frame:
19397 -stack-list-frames 3 3
19399 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19400 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
19405 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
19406 @findex -stack-list-locals
19408 @subsubheading Synopsis
19411 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
19414 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
19415 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
19416 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
19417 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
19418 type and value for simple data types and the name and type for arrays,
19419 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
19420 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
19421 other data types when the the user wishes to explore their values in
19424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19426 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
19428 @subsubheading Example
19432 -stack-list-locals 0
19433 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
19435 -stack-list-locals --all-values
19436 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
19437 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
19438 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
19439 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
19440 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
19445 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
19446 @findex -stack-select-frame
19448 @subsubheading Synopsis
19451 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
19454 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
19457 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19459 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
19460 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
19462 @subsubheading Example
19466 -stack-select-frame 2
19471 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19472 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
19473 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
19476 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
19478 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
19479 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
19480 used by @code{Insight}.
19482 The two main reasons for that are:
19486 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
19489 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
19493 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
19494 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
19495 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
19496 hints about their use.
19498 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
19499 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
19500 least, the following operations:
19503 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
19504 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
19505 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
19506 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
19509 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
19511 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
19512 The basic idea behind variable objects is the creation of a named object
19513 to represent a variable, an expression, a memory location or even a CPU
19514 register. For each object created, a set of operations is available for
19515 examining or changing its properties.
19517 Furthermore, complex data types, such as C structures, are represented
19518 in a tree format. For instance, the @code{struct} type variable is the
19519 root and the children will represent the struct members. If a child
19520 is itself of a complex type, it will also have children of its own.
19521 Appropriate language differences are handled for C, C@t{++} and Java.
19523 When returning the actual values of the objects, this facility allows
19524 for the individual selection of the display format used in the result
19525 creation. It can be chosen among: binary, decimal, hexadecimal, octal
19526 and natural. Natural refers to a default format automatically
19527 chosen based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
19528 for pointers, etc.).
19530 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
19531 access this functionality:
19533 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
19534 @item @strong{Operation}
19535 @tab @strong{Description}
19537 @item @code{-var-create}
19538 @tab create a variable object
19539 @item @code{-var-delete}
19540 @tab delete the variable object and its children
19541 @item @code{-var-set-format}
19542 @tab set the display format of this variable
19543 @item @code{-var-show-format}
19544 @tab show the display format of this variable
19545 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
19546 @tab tells how many children this object has
19547 @item @code{-var-list-children}
19548 @tab return a list of the object's children
19549 @item @code{-var-info-type}
19550 @tab show the type of this variable object
19551 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
19552 @tab print what this variable object represents
19553 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
19554 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
19555 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
19556 @tab get the value of this variable
19557 @item @code{-var-assign}
19558 @tab set the value of this variable
19559 @item @code{-var-update}
19560 @tab update the variable and its children
19563 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
19564 how it can be used.
19566 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
19568 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
19569 @findex -var-create
19571 @subsubheading Synopsis
19574 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
19575 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*"@} @var{expression}
19578 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
19579 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
19582 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
19583 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
19584 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
19585 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} on that format.
19586 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
19588 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
19589 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
19590 frame should be used.
19592 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
19593 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
19597 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
19600 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
19603 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
19606 @subsubheading Result
19608 This operation returns the name, number of children and the type of the
19609 object created. Type is returned as a string as the ones generated by
19610 the @value{GDBN} CLI:
19613 name="@var{name}",numchild="N",type="@var{type}"
19617 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
19618 @findex -var-delete
19620 @subsubheading Synopsis
19623 -var-delete @var{name}
19626 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
19628 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
19631 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
19632 @findex -var-set-format
19634 @subsubheading Synopsis
19637 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
19640 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
19643 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
19646 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
19647 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
19651 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
19652 @findex -var-show-format
19654 @subsubheading Synopsis
19657 -var-show-format @var{name}
19660 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
19663 @var{format} @expansion{}
19668 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
19669 @findex -var-info-num-children
19671 @subsubheading Synopsis
19674 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
19677 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
19684 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
19685 @findex -var-list-children
19687 @subsubheading Synopsis
19690 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name}
19692 @anchor{-var-list-children}
19694 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
19695 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
19696 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
19697 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
19698 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
19699 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
19700 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
19703 @subsubheading Example
19707 -var-list-children n
19708 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
19709 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
19711 -var-list-children --all-values n
19712 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
19713 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
19717 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
19718 @findex -var-info-type
19720 @subsubheading Synopsis
19723 -var-info-type @var{name}
19726 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
19727 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
19731 type=@var{typename}
19735 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
19736 @findex -var-info-expression
19738 @subsubheading Synopsis
19741 -var-info-expression @var{name}
19744 Returns what is represented by the variable object @var{name}:
19747 lang=@var{lang-spec},exp=@var{expression}
19751 where @var{lang-spec} is @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
19753 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
19754 @findex -var-show-attributes
19756 @subsubheading Synopsis
19759 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
19762 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
19765 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
19769 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
19771 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
19772 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
19774 @subsubheading Synopsis
19777 -var-evaluate-expression @var{name}
19780 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
19781 object and returns its value as a string in the current format specified
19788 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
19789 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
19791 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
19792 @findex -var-assign
19794 @subsubheading Synopsis
19797 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
19800 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
19801 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
19802 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
19803 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
19805 @subsubheading Example
19813 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
19817 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
19818 @findex -var-update
19820 @subsubheading Synopsis
19823 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
19826 Update the value of the variable object @var{name} by evaluating its
19827 expression after fetching all the new values from memory or registers.
19828 A @samp{*} causes all existing variable objects to be updated. The
19829 option @var{print-values} determines whether names both and values, or
19830 just names are printed in the manner described for
19831 @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}).
19833 @subsubheading Example
19840 -var-update --all-values var1
19841 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
19842 type_changed="false"@}]
19846 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19847 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
19848 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
19850 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
19851 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
19852 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
19853 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
19855 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
19856 @c @subheading -data-assign
19857 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
19858 @c @subsubheading GDB command
19860 @c @subsubheading Example
19863 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
19864 @findex -data-disassemble
19866 @subsubheading Synopsis
19870 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
19871 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
19879 @item @var{start-addr}
19880 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
19881 @item @var{end-addr}
19883 @item @var{filename}
19884 is the name of the file to disassemble
19885 @item @var{linenum}
19886 is the line number to disassemble around
19888 is the the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
19889 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
19890 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
19891 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
19892 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
19893 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
19894 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
19897 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
19901 @subsubheading Result
19903 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
19912 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
19913 directely by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e. it is not possible to adjust its format.
19915 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19917 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
19919 @subsubheading Example
19921 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
19925 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
19928 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
19929 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
19930 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
19931 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
19932 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
19933 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
19934 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
19935 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
19936 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
19937 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
19941 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
19945 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
19947 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
19948 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
19949 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
19950 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
19951 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
19952 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
19954 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
19955 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
19959 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
19963 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
19965 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
19966 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
19967 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
19968 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
19969 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
19970 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
19974 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
19978 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
19980 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
19981 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
19982 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
19983 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
19984 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
19985 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
19986 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
19987 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
19988 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
19989 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
19990 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
19991 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
19996 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
19997 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
19999 @subsubheading Synopsis
20002 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
20005 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
20006 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
20007 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
20009 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20011 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
20012 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
20013 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
20015 @subsubheading Example
20017 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
20018 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
20019 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
20023 211-data-evaluate-expression A
20026 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
20027 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
20029 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
20032 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
20038 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
20039 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
20041 @subsubheading Synopsis
20044 -data-list-changed-registers
20047 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
20049 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20051 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
20052 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
20054 @subsubheading Example
20056 On a PPC MBX board:
20064 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",frame=@{func="main",
20065 args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="5"@}
20067 -data-list-changed-registers
20068 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
20069 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
20070 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
20075 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
20076 @findex -data-list-register-names
20078 @subsubheading Synopsis
20081 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
20084 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
20085 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
20086 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
20087 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
20088 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
20089 include empty register names.
20091 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20093 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
20094 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
20095 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
20097 @subsubheading Example
20099 For the PPC MBX board:
20102 -data-list-register-names
20103 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
20104 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
20105 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
20106 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
20107 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
20108 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
20109 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
20111 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
20112 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
20116 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
20117 @findex -data-list-register-values
20119 @subsubheading Synopsis
20122 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
20125 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
20126 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
20127 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
20128 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
20130 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
20147 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20149 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
20150 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
20152 @subsubheading Example
20154 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
20155 don't appear in the actual output):
20159 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
20160 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
20161 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
20163 -data-list-register-values x
20164 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
20165 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
20166 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
20167 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
20168 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
20169 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
20170 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
20171 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
20172 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
20173 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
20174 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
20175 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
20176 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
20177 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
20178 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
20179 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
20180 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
20181 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
20182 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
20183 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
20184 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
20185 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
20186 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
20187 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
20188 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
20189 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
20190 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
20191 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
20192 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
20193 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
20194 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
20195 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
20196 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
20197 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
20198 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
20199 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
20204 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
20205 @findex -data-read-memory
20207 @subsubheading Synopsis
20210 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
20211 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
20212 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
20219 @item @var{address}
20220 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
20221 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
20222 quoted using the C convention.
20224 @item @var{word-format}
20225 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
20226 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
20229 @item @var{word-size}
20230 The size of each memory word in bytes.
20232 @item @var{nr-rows}
20233 The number of rows in the output table.
20235 @item @var{nr-cols}
20236 The number of columns in the output table.
20239 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
20240 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
20241 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
20242 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
20244 @item @var{byte-offset}
20245 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
20248 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
20249 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
20250 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
20251 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
20252 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
20253 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
20254 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
20257 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
20258 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
20261 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20263 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
20264 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
20266 @subsubheading Example
20268 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
20269 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
20270 word. Display each word in hex.
20274 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
20275 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
20276 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
20277 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
20278 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
20279 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
20280 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
20284 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
20285 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
20289 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
20290 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
20291 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
20292 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
20293 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
20297 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
20298 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
20299 used as the non-printable character.
20303 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
20304 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
20305 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
20306 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
20307 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
20308 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
20309 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
20310 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
20311 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
20312 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
20313 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
20314 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
20318 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20319 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
20320 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
20322 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
20324 @c @subheading -trace-actions
20326 @c @subheading -trace-delete
20328 @c @subheading -trace-disable
20330 @c @subheading -trace-dump
20332 @c @subheading -trace-enable
20334 @c @subheading -trace-exists
20336 @c @subheading -trace-find
20338 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
20340 @c @subheading -trace-info
20342 @c @subheading -trace-insert
20344 @c @subheading -trace-list
20346 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
20348 @c @subheading -trace-save
20350 @c @subheading -trace-start
20352 @c @subheading -trace-stop
20355 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20356 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
20357 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
20360 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
20361 @findex -symbol-info-address
20363 @subsubheading Synopsis
20366 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
20369 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
20371 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20373 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
20375 @subsubheading Example
20379 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
20380 @findex -symbol-info-file
20382 @subsubheading Synopsis
20388 Show the file for the symbol.
20390 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20392 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
20393 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
20395 @subsubheading Example
20399 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
20400 @findex -symbol-info-function
20402 @subsubheading Synopsis
20405 -symbol-info-function
20408 Show which function the symbol lives in.
20410 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20412 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
20414 @subsubheading Example
20418 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
20419 @findex -symbol-info-line
20421 @subsubheading Synopsis
20427 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
20429 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20431 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
20432 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
20434 @subsubheading Example
20438 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
20439 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
20441 @subsubheading Synopsis
20444 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
20447 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
20449 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20451 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
20453 @subsubheading Example
20457 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
20458 @findex -symbol-list-functions
20460 @subsubheading Synopsis
20463 -symbol-list-functions
20466 List the functions in the executable.
20468 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20470 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
20471 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
20473 @subsubheading Example
20477 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
20478 @findex -symbol-list-lines
20480 @subsubheading Synopsis
20483 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
20486 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
20487 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
20488 ascending PC order.
20490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20492 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
20494 @subsubheading Example
20497 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
20498 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
20503 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
20504 @findex -symbol-list-types
20506 @subsubheading Synopsis
20512 List all the type names.
20514 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20516 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
20517 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
20519 @subsubheading Example
20523 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
20524 @findex -symbol-list-variables
20526 @subsubheading Synopsis
20529 -symbol-list-variables
20532 List all the global and static variable names.
20534 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20536 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
20538 @subsubheading Example
20542 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
20543 @findex -symbol-locate
20545 @subsubheading Synopsis
20551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20553 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
20555 @subsubheading Example
20559 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
20560 @findex -symbol-type
20562 @subsubheading Synopsis
20565 -symbol-type @var{variable}
20568 Show type of @var{variable}.
20570 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20572 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
20573 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
20575 @subsubheading Example
20579 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20580 @node GDB/MI File Commands
20581 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
20583 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
20584 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
20586 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
20587 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
20589 @subsubheading Synopsis
20592 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
20595 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
20596 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
20597 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
20598 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
20599 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
20602 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20604 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
20606 @subsubheading Example
20610 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
20616 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
20617 @findex -file-exec-file
20619 @subsubheading Synopsis
20622 -file-exec-file @var{file}
20625 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
20626 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
20627 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
20628 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
20631 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20633 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
20635 @subsubheading Example
20639 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
20645 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
20646 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
20648 @subsubheading Synopsis
20651 -file-list-exec-sections
20654 List the sections of the current executable file.
20656 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20658 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
20659 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
20660 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
20662 @subsubheading Example
20666 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
20667 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
20669 @subsubheading Synopsis
20672 -file-list-exec-source-file
20675 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
20676 to the current source file for the current executable.
20678 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20680 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
20682 @subsubheading Example
20686 123-file-list-exec-source-file
20687 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c"
20692 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
20693 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
20695 @subsubheading Synopsis
20698 -file-list-exec-source-files
20701 List the source files for the current executable.
20703 It will always output the filename, but only when GDB can find the absolute
20704 file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
20706 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20708 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
20709 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
20711 @subsubheading Example
20714 -file-list-exec-source-files
20716 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
20717 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
20718 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
20722 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
20723 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
20725 @subsubheading Synopsis
20728 -file-list-shared-libraries
20731 List the shared libraries in the program.
20733 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20735 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
20737 @subsubheading Example
20741 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
20742 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
20744 @subsubheading Synopsis
20747 -file-list-symbol-files
20752 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20754 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
20756 @subsubheading Example
20760 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
20761 @findex -file-symbol-file
20763 @subsubheading Synopsis
20766 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
20769 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
20770 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
20771 produced, except for a completion notification.
20773 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20775 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
20777 @subsubheading Example
20781 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
20787 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20788 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
20789 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
20791 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
20793 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
20795 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
20797 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
20799 @c @subheading -overlay-map
20801 @c @subheading -overlay-off
20803 @c @subheading -overlay-on
20805 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
20807 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20808 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
20809 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
20811 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
20813 @c @subheading -signal-handle
20815 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
20817 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
20821 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20822 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
20823 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
20826 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
20827 @findex -target-attach
20829 @subsubheading Synopsis
20832 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{file}
20835 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of @value{GDBN}.
20837 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20839 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
20841 @subsubheading Example
20845 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
20846 @findex -target-compare-sections
20848 @subsubheading Synopsis
20851 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
20854 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
20855 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
20857 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20859 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
20861 @subsubheading Example
20865 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
20866 @findex -target-detach
20868 @subsubheading Synopsis
20874 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
20877 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20879 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
20881 @subsubheading Example
20891 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
20892 @findex -target-disconnect
20894 @subsubheading Synopsis
20900 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
20901 generally not resumed.
20903 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20905 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
20907 @subsubheading Example
20917 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
20918 @findex -target-download
20920 @subsubheading Synopsis
20926 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
20927 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
20931 The name of the section.
20933 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
20935 The size of the section.
20937 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
20939 The size of the overall executable to download.
20943 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
20944 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
20946 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
20947 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
20951 The name of the section.
20953 The size of the section.
20955 The size of the overall executable to download.
20959 At the end, a summary is printed.
20961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
20965 @subsubheading Example
20967 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
20968 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
20973 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
20974 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
20975 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
20976 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
20977 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
20978 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
20979 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
20980 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
20981 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
20982 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
20983 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
20984 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
20985 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
20986 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
20987 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
20988 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
20989 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
20990 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
20991 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
20992 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
20993 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
20994 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
20995 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
20996 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
20997 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
20998 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
20999 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
21000 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
21001 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
21002 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
21003 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
21004 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
21005 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
21006 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
21007 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
21008 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
21009 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
21010 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
21011 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
21012 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
21013 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
21014 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
21015 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
21021 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
21022 @findex -target-exec-status
21024 @subsubheading Synopsis
21027 -target-exec-status
21030 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
21031 not, for instance).
21033 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21035 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
21037 @subsubheading Example
21041 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
21042 @findex -target-list-available-targets
21044 @subsubheading Synopsis
21047 -target-list-available-targets
21050 List the possible targets to connect to.
21052 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21054 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
21056 @subsubheading Example
21060 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
21061 @findex -target-list-current-targets
21063 @subsubheading Synopsis
21066 -target-list-current-targets
21069 Describe the current target.
21071 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21073 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
21076 @subsubheading Example
21080 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
21081 @findex -target-list-parameters
21083 @subsubheading Synopsis
21086 -target-list-parameters
21091 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21095 @subsubheading Example
21099 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
21100 @findex -target-select
21102 @subsubheading Synopsis
21105 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
21108 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
21112 The type of target, for instance @samp{async}, @samp{remote}, etc.
21113 @item @var{parameters}
21114 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
21115 Commands for managing targets}, for more details.
21118 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
21119 which the target program is, in the following form:
21122 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
21123 args=[@var{arg list}]
21126 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21128 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
21130 @subsubheading Example
21134 -target-select async /dev/ttya
21135 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
21139 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21140 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
21141 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
21143 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
21145 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
21148 @subsubheading Synopsis
21154 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
21156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21158 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
21160 @subsubheading Example
21169 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
21170 @findex -exec-abort
21172 @subsubheading Synopsis
21178 Kill the inferior running program.
21180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21182 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
21184 @subsubheading Example
21188 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
21191 @subsubheading Synopsis
21197 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
21198 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
21200 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21202 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
21204 @subsubheading Example
21214 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
21217 @subsubheading Synopsis
21223 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
21225 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
21227 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
21229 @subsubheading Example
21238 @c @subheading -gdb-source
21241 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
21242 @findex -gdb-version
21244 @subsubheading Synopsis
21250 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
21252 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21254 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
21255 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
21257 @subsubheading Example
21259 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
21265 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
21266 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
21267 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
21268 ~ certain conditions.
21269 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
21270 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
21272 ~This GDB was configured as
21273 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
21278 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
21279 @findex -interpreter-exec
21281 @subheading Synopsis
21284 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
21286 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
21288 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
21290 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
21292 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
21294 @subheading Example
21298 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
21299 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
21300 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
21301 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
21306 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
21307 @findex -inferior-tty-set
21309 @subheading Synopsis
21312 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
21315 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
21317 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
21319 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
21321 @subheading Example
21325 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
21330 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
21331 @findex -inferior-tty-show
21333 @subheading Synopsis
21339 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
21341 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
21343 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
21345 @subheading Example
21349 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
21353 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
21358 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
21360 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
21361 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
21362 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
21363 relatively high level.
21365 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseeded by @sc{gdb/mi}
21369 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
21373 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
21374 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
21375 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
21376 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
21377 * Annotations for Running::
21378 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
21379 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
21382 @node Annotations Overview
21383 @section What is an Annotation?
21384 @cindex annotations
21386 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
21387 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
21388 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
21389 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
21390 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
21391 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
21392 cannot contain newline characters.
21394 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
21395 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
21396 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
21397 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
21398 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
21399 means those three characters as output.
21401 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
21402 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
21403 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
21404 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
21405 is for no anntations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
21406 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
21407 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
21408 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
21409 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
21412 @kindex set annotate
21413 @item set annotate @var{level}
21414 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
21415 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
21417 @item show annotate
21418 @kindex show annotate
21419 Show the current annotation level.
21422 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
21424 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
21427 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
21429 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
21430 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
21431 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
21432 under certain conditions.
21433 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
21434 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
21436 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
21447 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
21448 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
21449 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
21450 output from @value{GDBN}.
21453 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
21455 @cindex annotations for prompts
21456 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
21457 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
21460 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
21461 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
21462 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
21463 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
21464 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
21465 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
21466 features the following annotations:
21474 The input types are
21479 @findex post-prompt
21481 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
21483 @findex pre-commands
21485 @findex post-commands
21487 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
21488 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
21490 @findex pre-overload-choice
21491 @findex overload-choice
21492 @findex post-overload-choice
21493 @item overload-choice
21494 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
21500 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
21502 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue
21503 @findex prompt-for-continue
21504 @findex post-prompt-for-continue
21505 @item prompt-for-continue
21506 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
21507 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
21508 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
21509 presence of annotations.
21514 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
21521 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
21528 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
21530 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
21531 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
21532 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
21533 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
21534 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
21535 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
21538 @findex error-begin
21539 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
21545 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
21548 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
21549 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
21550 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
21553 @section Invalidation Notices
21555 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
21556 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
21560 @findex frames-invalid
21561 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
21563 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
21566 @findex breakpoints-invalid
21567 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
21569 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
21570 deleted a breakpoint.
21573 @node Annotations for Running
21574 @section Running the Program
21575 @cindex annotations for running programs
21579 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
21580 @code{step} or @code{continue},
21586 is output. When the program stops,
21592 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
21593 annotations describe how the program stopped.
21597 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
21598 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
21599 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
21602 @findex signal-name
21603 @findex signal-name-end
21604 @findex signal-string
21605 @findex signal-string-end
21606 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
21607 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
21608 annotation continues:
21614 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
21618 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
21623 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
21624 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
21625 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
21626 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
21627 user's benefit and have no particular format.
21631 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
21632 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
21633 terminated with it.
21636 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
21637 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
21640 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
21641 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
21644 @node Source Annotations
21645 @section Displaying Source
21646 @cindex annotations for source display
21649 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
21652 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
21655 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
21656 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
21657 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
21658 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
21659 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
21660 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
21661 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
21662 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
21663 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
21664 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
21665 depend on the language).
21668 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
21669 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
21670 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
21672 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
21674 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
21675 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
21676 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
21677 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
21679 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
21680 information that enables us to fix the bug.
21683 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
21684 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
21688 @section Have you found a bug?
21689 @cindex bug criteria
21691 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
21694 @cindex fatal signal
21695 @cindex debugger crash
21696 @cindex crash of debugger
21698 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
21699 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
21701 @cindex error on valid input
21703 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
21704 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
21705 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
21707 @cindex invalid input
21709 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
21710 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
21711 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
21712 for traditional practice''.
21715 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
21716 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
21719 @node Bug Reporting
21720 @section How to report bugs
21721 @cindex bug reports
21722 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
21724 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
21725 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
21726 contact that organization first.
21728 You can find contact information for many support companies and
21729 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
21731 @c should add a web page ref...
21733 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
21734 @value{GDBN}. The prefered method is to submit them directly using
21735 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
21736 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
21739 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
21740 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
21741 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
21744 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
21745 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
21746 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
21747 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
21748 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
21749 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
21750 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
21751 bug reports to the mailing list.
21753 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
21754 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
21755 fact or leave it out, state it!
21757 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
21758 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
21759 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
21760 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
21761 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
21762 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
21763 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
21764 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
21765 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
21767 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
21768 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
21769 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
21772 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
21773 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
21774 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
21777 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
21781 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
21782 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
21785 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
21786 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
21789 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
21793 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
21794 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
21797 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
21798 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
21799 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
21800 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
21804 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
21805 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
21806 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
21807 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
21809 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
21810 and then we might not encounter the bug.
21813 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
21817 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
21818 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
21820 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
21821 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
21822 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
21823 a chance to make a mistake.
21825 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
21826 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
21827 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
21828 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
21829 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
21830 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
21831 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
21832 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
21835 @cindex recording a session script
21836 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
21837 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
21838 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
21839 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
21841 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
21842 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
21845 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
21846 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
21847 it by context, not by line number.
21849 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
21850 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
21854 Here are some things that are not necessary:
21858 A description of the envelope of the bug.
21860 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
21861 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
21862 changes will not affect it.
21864 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
21865 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
21866 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
21867 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
21869 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
21870 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
21871 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
21872 less time, and so on.
21874 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
21875 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
21878 A patch for the bug.
21880 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
21881 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
21882 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
21883 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
21885 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
21886 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
21887 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
21888 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
21890 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
21891 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
21892 help us to understand.
21895 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
21897 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
21898 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
21901 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
21902 @c and consists of the two following files:
21904 @c inc-hist.texinfo
21905 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
21906 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
21907 @include rluser.texi
21908 @include inc-hist.texinfo
21911 @node Formatting Documentation
21912 @appendix Formatting Documentation
21914 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
21915 @cindex reference card
21916 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
21917 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
21918 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
21919 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
21920 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
21921 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
21923 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
21924 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
21930 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
21931 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
21932 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
21933 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
21934 your @sc{dvi} output program.
21936 @cindex documentation
21938 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
21939 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
21940 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
21941 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
21942 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
21943 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
21945 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
21946 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
21947 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
21948 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
21949 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
21950 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
21951 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
21952 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
21954 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
21955 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
21958 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
21959 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
21960 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
21967 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
21968 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
21969 Texinfo definitions file.
21971 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
21972 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
21973 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
21974 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
21975 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
21976 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
21977 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
21979 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
21980 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
21981 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
21982 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
21983 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
21986 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
21987 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
21988 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
21989 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
21995 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
21997 @node Installing GDB
21998 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
21999 @cindex installation
22002 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
22003 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @code{configure} script
22004 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
22005 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
22006 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
22010 @section Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
22011 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
22013 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
22014 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
22016 @heading Tools/packages necessary for building @value{GDBN}
22018 @item ISO C90 compiler
22019 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
22020 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
22024 @heading Tools/packages optional for building @value{GDBN}
22027 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
22028 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
22029 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
22030 The @code{configure} script will search for this library in several
22031 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
22032 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
22034 Expat is used currently only used to implement some remote-specific
22039 @node Running Configure
22040 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @code{configure} script
22041 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
22042 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
22043 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
22044 build the @code{gdb} program.
22046 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
22047 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
22048 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
22049 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
22052 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
22053 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
22054 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
22056 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
22057 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
22060 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
22061 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
22063 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
22064 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
22066 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
22067 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
22069 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
22070 @sc{gnu} include files
22072 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
22073 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
22075 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
22076 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
22078 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
22079 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
22081 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
22082 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
22084 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
22085 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
22088 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
22089 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
22090 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
22092 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
22093 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
22094 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
22100 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
22101 ./configure @var{host}
22106 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
22107 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
22108 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
22109 correct value by examining your system.)
22111 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
22112 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
22113 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
22114 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
22117 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
22118 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
22119 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
22122 sh configure @var{host}
22125 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
22126 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
22127 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
22128 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
22129 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
22131 You should run the @code{configure} script from the top directory in the
22132 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
22133 @code{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
22134 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
22135 if you run the first @code{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
22136 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
22137 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
22138 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
22139 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
22141 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
22142 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
22143 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
22144 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
22145 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
22147 @node Separate Objdir
22148 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
22150 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
22151 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
22152 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
22153 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
22154 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
22155 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
22156 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
22157 program specified there.
22159 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
22160 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
22161 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
22162 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
22163 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
22164 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
22166 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
22167 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
22171 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
22174 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
22179 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
22180 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
22181 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
22182 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
22183 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
22184 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
22186 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
22187 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
22188 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
22189 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
22190 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
22192 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
22193 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
22194 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
22195 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
22196 You specify a cross-debugging target by
22197 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
22199 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
22200 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
22201 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
22203 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
22204 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
22205 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
22206 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
22207 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
22209 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
22210 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
22211 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
22215 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
22217 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
22218 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
22219 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
22220 of information in the following pattern:
22223 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
22226 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
22227 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
22228 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
22230 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
22231 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
22232 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
22233 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
22234 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
22235 abbreviations---for example:
22238 % sh config.sub i386-linux
22240 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
22241 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
22242 % sh config.sub hp9k700
22244 % sh config.sub sun4
22245 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
22246 % sh config.sub sun3
22247 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
22248 % sh config.sub i986v
22249 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
22253 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
22254 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
22256 @node Configure Options
22257 @section @code{configure} options
22259 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
22260 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
22261 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
22262 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
22265 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
22266 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
22267 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
22268 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
22269 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
22270 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
22275 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
22276 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
22281 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
22283 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
22284 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
22287 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
22288 Configure the source to install programs under directory
22291 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
22293 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
22294 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
22295 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
22296 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
22297 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
22298 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
22299 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
22300 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
22301 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
22302 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
22305 @item --norecursion
22306 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
22307 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
22309 @item --target=@var{target}
22310 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
22311 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
22312 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
22314 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
22316 @item @var{host} @dots{}
22317 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
22319 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
22322 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
22323 needed for special purposes only.
22325 @node Maintenance Commands
22326 @appendix Maintenance Commands
22327 @cindex maintenance commands
22328 @cindex internal commands
22330 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
22331 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
22332 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
22333 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
22334 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
22337 @kindex maint agent
22338 @item maint agent @var{expression}
22339 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
22340 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
22341 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
22343 @kindex maint info breakpoints
22344 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
22345 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
22346 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
22347 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
22348 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
22353 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
22356 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
22359 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
22360 @code{longjmp} calls.
22362 @item longjmp resume
22363 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
22366 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
22369 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
22372 Shared library events.
22376 @kindex maint check-symtabs
22377 @item maint check-symtabs
22378 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
22380 @kindex maint cplus first_component
22381 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
22382 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
22384 @kindex maint cplus namespace
22385 @item maint cplus namespace
22386 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
22388 @kindex maint demangle
22389 @item maint demangle @var{name}
22390 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C manled @var{name}.
22392 @kindex maint deprecate
22393 @kindex maint undeprecate
22394 @cindex deprecated commands
22395 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
22396 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
22397 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
22398 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
22399 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
22400 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
22401 the replacement as part of the warning.
22403 @kindex maint dump-me
22404 @item maint dump-me
22405 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
22406 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
22407 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
22408 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
22410 @kindex maint internal-error
22411 @kindex maint internal-warning
22412 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
22413 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
22414 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
22415 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
22416 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
22417 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
22418 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
22419 @value{GDBN} session.
22421 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
22422 used as the text of the error or warning message.
22424 Here's an example of using @code{indernal-error}:
22427 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
22428 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
22429 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
22430 debugging may prove unreliable.
22431 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
22432 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
22436 @kindex maint packet
22437 @item maint packet @var{text}
22438 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
22439 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
22440 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
22441 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
22444 @kindex maint print architecture
22445 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22446 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
22447 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
22449 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
22450 @item maint print dummy-frames
22451 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
22454 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
22456 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
22457 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
22459 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
22461 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
22462 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
22463 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
22464 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
22468 Takes an optional file parameter.
22470 @kindex maint print registers
22471 @kindex maint print raw-registers
22472 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
22473 @kindex maint print register-groups
22474 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22475 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22476 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22477 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22478 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
22480 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
22481 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
22482 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
22483 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
22484 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
22485 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
22487 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
22488 write the information.
22490 @kindex maint print reggroups
22491 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22492 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
22493 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
22496 The register groups info looks like this:
22499 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
22512 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
22514 @kindex maint print objfiles
22515 @cindex info for known object files
22516 @item maint print objfiles
22517 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
22518 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
22521 @kindex maint print statistics
22522 @cindex bcache statistics
22523 @item maint print statistics
22524 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
22525 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
22526 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
22527 of minimal, partical, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
22528 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
22529 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
22530 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
22531 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
22532 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
22533 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
22536 @kindex maint print type
22537 @cindex type chain of a data type
22538 @item maint print type @var{expr}
22539 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
22540 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
22541 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
22542 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
22543 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
22545 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
22546 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
22547 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
22548 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
22549 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
22551 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
22552 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
22553 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
22554 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
22555 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
22556 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
22557 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
22558 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
22559 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
22561 @kindex maint set profile
22562 @kindex maint show profile
22563 @cindex profiling GDB
22564 @item maint set profile
22565 @itemx maint show profile
22566 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
22568 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
22569 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
22570 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
22571 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
22572 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
22573 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
22574 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
22576 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
22577 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
22579 @kindex maint show-debug-regs
22580 @cindex x86 hardware debug registers
22581 @item maint show-debug-regs
22582 Control whether to show variables that mirror the x86 hardware debug
22583 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
22584 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when GDB inserts or
22585 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
22586 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
22588 @kindex maint space
22589 @cindex memory used by commands
22591 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
22592 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
22593 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
22594 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
22595 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
22598 @cindex time of command execution
22600 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
22601 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
22602 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
22603 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
22604 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
22606 @kindex maint translate-address
22607 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
22608 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
22609 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
22610 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
22611 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
22612 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
22613 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
22617 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
22618 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
22621 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
22622 @kindex set watchdog
22623 @cindex watchdog timer
22624 @cindex timeout for commands
22625 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
22626 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
22627 reports and error and the command is aborted.
22629 @item show watchdog
22630 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
22633 @node Remote Protocol
22634 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
22639 * Stop Reply Packets::
22640 * General Query Packets::
22641 * Register Packet Format::
22642 * Tracepoint Packets::
22645 * File-I/O remote protocol extension::
22651 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
22652 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
22653 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
22654 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
22656 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
22657 transmitted and received data respectfully.
22659 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
22660 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
22661 @cindex remote serial protocol
22662 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments) are
22663 sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
22664 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
22665 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
22668 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22672 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
22674 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
22675 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
22676 eight bit unsigned checksum).
22678 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
22679 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
22682 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22685 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
22687 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
22688 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
22689 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
22691 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
22692 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
22693 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
22694 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
22698 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22703 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
22704 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
22705 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
22706 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
22708 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
22709 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
22712 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
22713 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
22714 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
22715 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
22717 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
22718 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
22719 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
22721 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
22722 @anchor{Binary Data}
22723 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
22724 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
22725 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
22726 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
22727 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
22730 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
22731 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
22732 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
22733 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
22734 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
22735 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
22736 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
22737 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
22738 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
22741 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
22742 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
22743 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
22744 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
22745 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
22746 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
22747 value greater than 126 should not be used.
22754 means the same as "0000".
22756 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
22757 error number. That number is not well defined.
22759 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
22760 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
22761 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
22762 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
22765 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
22766 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
22772 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
22773 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
22774 @xref{File-I/O remote protocol extension}, for details about the File
22775 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
22777 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
22778 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
22779 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
22780 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
22781 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
22782 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
22783 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
22784 @var{baz}. GDB does not transmit a space character between the
22785 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
22788 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
22789 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
22791 Here are the packet descriptions.
22796 @cindex @samp{!} packet
22797 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
22798 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
22804 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
22808 @cindex @samp{?} packet
22809 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
22813 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22815 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
22816 @cindex @samp{A} packet
22817 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
22818 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
22819 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
22824 The arguments were set.
22830 @cindex @samp{b} packet
22831 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
22832 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
22834 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
22835 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
22836 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
22838 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
22839 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
22840 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
22841 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
22842 of view, nothing actually happened.}
22844 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
22845 @cindex @samp{B} packet
22846 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
22847 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
22849 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
22850 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
22852 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
22853 @cindex @samp{c} packet
22854 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
22855 resume at current address.
22858 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22860 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
22861 @cindex @samp{C} packet
22862 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
22863 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
22866 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22869 @cindex @samp{d} packet
22872 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
22873 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
22876 @cindex @samp{D} packet
22877 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target
22878 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
22888 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
22889 @cindex @samp{F} packet
22890 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
22891 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
22892 remote protocol extension}, for the specification.
22895 @anchor{read registers packet}
22896 @cindex @samp{g} packet
22897 Read general registers.
22901 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22902 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
22903 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
22904 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
22905 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros
22906 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The
22907 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
22912 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
22913 @cindex @samp{G} packet
22914 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
22915 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
22925 @item H @var{c} @var{t}
22926 @cindex @samp{H} packet
22927 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
22928 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
22929 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
22930 operations. The thread designator @var{t} may be @samp{-1}, meaning all
22931 the threads, a thread number, or @samp{0} which means pick any thread.
22942 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
22943 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
22944 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
22945 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
22946 @c described. For example:
22948 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
22949 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
22950 @c otherwise returns current registers.
22952 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
22953 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
22954 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
22956 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
22957 @anchor{cycle step packet}
22958 @cindex @samp{i} packet
22959 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
22960 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
22961 step starting at that address.
22964 @cindex @samp{I} packet
22965 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
22969 @cindex @samp{k} packet
22972 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
22973 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
22976 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
22977 @cindex @samp{m} packet
22978 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
22979 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
22981 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
22982 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
22983 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
22984 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
22985 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
22986 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
22987 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
22988 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
22992 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22993 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
22994 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
22995 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
23000 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
23001 @cindex @samp{M} packet
23002 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
23003 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
23004 hexadecimal number.
23011 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
23016 @cindex @samp{p} packet
23017 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
23018 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
23019 register value is encoded.
23023 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
23024 the register's value
23028 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
23031 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
23032 @anchor{write register packet}
23033 @cindex @samp{P} packet
23034 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
23035 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
23036 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
23046 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
23047 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
23048 @cindex @samp{q} packet
23049 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
23050 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
23051 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
23054 @cindex @samp{r} packet
23055 Reset the entire system.
23057 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
23060 @cindex @samp{R} packet
23061 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
23062 This packet is only available in extended mode.
23064 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
23066 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
23067 @cindex @samp{s} packet
23068 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
23069 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
23072 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
23074 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
23075 @anchor{step with signal packet}
23076 @cindex @samp{S} packet
23077 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
23078 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
23081 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
23083 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
23084 @cindex @samp{t} packet
23085 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
23086 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
23087 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
23090 @cindex @samp{T} packet
23091 Find out if the thread XX is alive.
23096 thread is still alive
23102 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
23103 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
23105 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{tid}@r{]]}@dots{}
23106 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
23107 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
23108 If an action is specified with no @var{tid}, then it is applied to any
23109 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
23110 specified then other threads should remain stopped. Specifying multiple
23111 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
23112 Thread IDs are specified in hexadecimal. Currently supported actions are:
23118 Continue with signal @var{sig}. @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
23122 Step with signal @var{sig}. @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
23125 The optional @var{addr} argument normally associated with these packets is
23126 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
23129 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
23132 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
23133 Request a list of actions supporetd by the @samp{vCont} packet.
23137 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
23138 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
23139 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
23141 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
23144 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
23146 @cindex @samp{X} packet
23147 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
23148 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
23149 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
23159 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
23160 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
23161 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
23162 @cindex @samp{z} packet
23163 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
23164 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
23165 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
23166 @var{length} bytes.
23168 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
23171 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
23172 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
23173 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
23174 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
23175 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
23176 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
23178 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
23179 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
23180 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
23181 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
23182 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
23183 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
23185 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
23186 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
23187 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
23188 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
23189 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
23191 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
23192 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
23193 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
23194 target, is not defined.}
23206 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
23207 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
23208 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
23209 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
23210 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
23211 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
23213 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
23214 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
23216 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
23229 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
23230 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
23231 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
23232 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
23233 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
23245 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
23246 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
23247 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
23248 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
23249 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
23261 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
23262 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
23263 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
23264 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
23265 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
23279 @node Stop Reply Packets
23280 @section Stop Reply Packets
23281 @cindex stop reply packets
23283 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
23284 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
23285 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
23286 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
23287 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal
23288 numbering conventions is used.
23290 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
23291 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
23292 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
23298 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
23299 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
23300 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
23302 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
23303 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
23304 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
23305 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
23306 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
23307 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
23308 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
23309 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
23312 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
23313 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
23314 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
23315 two-digit hex number.
23317 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the thread process ID, in
23320 If @var{n} is @samp{watch}, @samp{rwatch}, or @samp{awatch}, then the
23321 packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
23324 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
23325 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
23330 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
23331 applicable to certain targets.
23334 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
23336 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
23337 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
23338 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
23339 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
23340 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc.
23342 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
23343 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
23344 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
23345 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
23346 @xref{File-I/O remote protocol extension}, for a list of implemented
23349 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
23350 this very system call.
23352 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
23353 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
23354 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
23355 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
23356 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O remote
23357 protocol extension}, for more details.
23361 @node General Query Packets
23362 @section General Query Packets
23363 @cindex remote query requests
23365 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
23366 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
23367 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
23368 sending information to and from the stub.
23370 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
23371 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
23372 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
23373 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
23378 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
23380 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
23383 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
23384 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
23385 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
23386 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
23389 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
23390 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
23391 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
23392 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
23393 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
23394 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
23395 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
23396 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
23397 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
23398 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
23401 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
23402 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
23403 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
23404 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
23405 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
23407 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
23412 @cindex current thread, remote request
23413 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
23414 Return the current thread id.
23419 Where @var{pid} is an unsigned hexadecimal process id.
23420 @item @r{(anything else)}
23421 Any other reply implies the old pid.
23424 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
23425 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
23426 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
23427 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory.
23431 An error (such as memory fault)
23432 @item C @var{crc32}
23433 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
23437 @itemx qsThreadInfo
23438 @cindex list active threads, remote request
23439 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
23440 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
23441 Obtain a list of all active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
23442 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
23443 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
23444 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
23445 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
23446 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
23448 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
23454 @item m @var{id},@var{id}@dots{}
23455 a comma-separated list of thread ids
23457 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
23460 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
23461 more thread ids, in big-endian unsigned hex, separated by commas.
23462 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
23463 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
23464 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
23466 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
23467 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
23468 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
23469 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
23470 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
23472 @var{thread-id} is the (big endian, hex encoded) thread id associated with the
23473 thread for which to fetch the TLS address.
23475 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
23476 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
23477 information associated with the variable.)
23479 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI specific encoding of the
23480 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
23481 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
23482 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
23483 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
23484 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
23488 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
23489 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
23490 local storage requested.
23493 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
23496 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
23499 Use of this request packet is controlled by the @code{set remote
23500 get-thread-local-storage-address} command (@pxref{Remote
23501 configuration, set remote get-thread-local-storage-address}).
23503 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
23504 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
23505 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
23506 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
23507 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
23508 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
23509 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
23511 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
23515 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
23516 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
23517 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
23518 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
23519 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
23520 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
23521 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
23525 @cindex section offsets, remote request
23526 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
23527 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
23528 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
23529 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
23530 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
23534 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy};Bss=@var{zzz}
23537 @item qP @var{mode} @var{threadid}
23538 @cindex thread information, remote request
23539 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
23540 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
23541 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
23543 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
23546 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
23548 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
23549 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
23550 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
23551 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
23552 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
23553 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
23554 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
23555 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
23556 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
23561 A command response with no output.
23563 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
23565 Indicate a badly formed request.
23567 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
23570 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
23571 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
23572 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
23575 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
23576 @cindex supported packets, remote query
23577 @cindex features of the remote protocol
23578 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
23579 @anchor{qSupported}
23580 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
23581 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
23582 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
23583 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
23584 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
23585 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
23586 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
23587 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
23588 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
23589 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
23590 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
23591 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
23592 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
23593 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
23597 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
23598 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
23599 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
23602 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
23603 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
23606 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
23607 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
23611 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
23612 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
23613 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
23614 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
23616 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
23617 need an associated value.
23619 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
23621 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
23622 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
23623 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
23624 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
23627 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
23628 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
23629 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
23630 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
23631 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
23633 No values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
23634 are defined yet. Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
23635 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
23636 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
23637 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Values
23638 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
23639 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
23640 improvements in the remote protocol---support for unlimited length
23641 responses would be a @var{gdbfeature} example, if it were not implied by
23642 the @samp{qSupported} query. The stub's reply should be independent
23643 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
23644 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
23645 all the features it supports.
23647 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
23648 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
23650 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
23651 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
23652 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
23655 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
23656 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
23657 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
23658 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
23660 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
23661 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
23662 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
23663 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
23664 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
23666 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
23668 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.2 0.2 0.2
23669 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
23670 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
23672 @tab Value Required
23676 @item @samp{PacketSize}
23681 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
23688 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
23691 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
23692 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
23693 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
23694 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
23695 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
23696 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
23697 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
23698 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
23699 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
23700 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
23702 @item qXfer:auxv:read
23703 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
23704 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
23709 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
23710 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
23711 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
23712 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
23717 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
23718 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
23719 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
23720 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
23721 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
23725 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
23726 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
23728 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
23729 target has previously requested.
23731 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
23732 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
23738 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
23739 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
23740 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
23741 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
23742 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
23747 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
23749 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{id}
23750 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
23751 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
23752 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
23753 the target OS. @var{id} is a thread-id in big-endian hex. This
23754 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
23755 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
23756 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
23757 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
23758 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
23762 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
23763 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
23764 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
23765 the thread's attributes.
23768 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
23769 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
23770 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
23778 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
23780 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
23781 @cindex read special object, remote request
23782 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
23783 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
23784 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
23785 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
23786 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to the object; it can supply
23787 additional details about what data to access.
23789 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
23790 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
23791 formats, listed below.
23794 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
23795 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
23796 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
23797 auxiliary vector}, and @ref{Remote configuration,
23798 read-aux-vector-packet}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
23800 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
23801 by suppling an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
23807 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
23808 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
23809 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
23810 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
23811 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
23815 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
23816 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
23817 than the @var{length} in the request.
23820 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
23821 There is no more data to be read.
23824 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
23827 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
23828 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
23831 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
23832 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
23835 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
23836 @cindex write data into object, remote request
23837 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
23838 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
23839 into the data. @samp{@var{data}@dots{}} is the binary-encoded data
23840 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
23841 is specific to the object; it can supply additional details about what data
23844 No requests of this form are presently in use. This specification
23845 serves as a placeholder to document the common format that new
23846 specific request specifications ought to use.
23851 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
23852 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
23855 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
23858 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
23859 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
23862 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
23863 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
23866 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
23867 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
23868 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
23869 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
23870 must respond with an empty packet.
23874 @node Register Packet Format
23875 @section Register Packet Format
23877 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
23878 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
23879 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
23880 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
23881 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
23882 most-significant - least-significant.
23888 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
23889 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
23890 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
23894 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
23895 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
23900 @node Tracepoint Packets
23901 @section Tracepoint Packets
23902 @cindex tracepoint packets
23903 @cindex packets, tracepoint
23905 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
23906 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
23910 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}@r{[}-@r{]}
23911 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
23912 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
23913 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
23914 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If the trailing @samp{-} is
23915 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
23916 tracepoint's actions.
23921 The packet was understood and carried out.
23923 The packet was not recognized.
23926 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
23927 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
23928 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
23929 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
23930 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
23931 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
23932 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
23934 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
23935 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
23936 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
23937 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
23938 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
23939 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
23940 tracepoint actions.
23942 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
23943 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
23949 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
23950 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
23951 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
23952 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
23953 not fit in a 32-bit word.
23955 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
23956 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
23957 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
23958 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
23959 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
23960 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
23961 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
23963 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
23964 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
23965 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
23966 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
23967 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
23968 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
23973 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
23974 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
23975 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
23976 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
23977 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
23978 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
23979 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
23980 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
23985 The packet was understood and carried out.
23987 The packet was not recognized.
23990 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
23991 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
23992 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
23993 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
23995 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
23996 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
23997 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
23998 one of the following forms:
24002 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
24003 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
24004 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
24007 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
24008 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
24012 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
24013 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
24014 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
24015 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
24017 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
24018 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
24019 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
24020 is a hexadecimal number.
24022 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
24023 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
24024 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
24025 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
24028 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
24029 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
24030 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
24033 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
24034 hits in the trace frame buffer.
24037 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
24040 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
24042 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
24043 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
24044 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
24045 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
24047 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
24048 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
24049 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
24050 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
24053 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
24058 There is no trace experiment running.
24060 There is a trace experiment running.
24067 @section Interrupts
24068 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
24070 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
24071 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C} or a @code{BREAK},
24072 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{remotebreak}
24073 setting (@pxref{set remotebreak}).
24075 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
24076 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does
24077 not currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
24080 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
24081 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
24082 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
24083 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
24084 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
24085 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
24086 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
24087 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
24089 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
24090 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
24091 implementation defined. If the stub is successful at interrupting the
24092 running program, it is expected that it will send one of the Stop
24093 Reply Packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
24094 of successfully stopping the program. Interrupts received while the
24095 program is stopped will be discarded.
24100 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
24101 does not get any direct output:
24106 @emph{target restarts}
24109 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
24113 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
24116 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
24121 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
24125 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
24129 @node File-I/O remote protocol extension
24130 @section File-I/O remote protocol extension
24131 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
24134 * File-I/O Overview::
24135 * Protocol basics::
24136 * The F request packet::
24137 * The F reply packet::
24138 * The Ctrl-C message::
24140 * List of supported calls::
24141 * Protocol specific representation of datatypes::
24143 * File-I/O Examples::
24146 @node File-I/O Overview
24147 @subsection File-I/O Overview
24148 @cindex file-i/o overview
24150 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
24151 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
24152 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
24153 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
24154 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
24155 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
24157 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
24158 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
24159 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
24160 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
24161 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
24163 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
24164 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
24165 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
24166 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
24167 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
24168 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
24169 (Ctrl-C) within @value{GDBN}.
24171 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
24172 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
24173 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
24174 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
24175 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
24178 (@value{GDBP}) continue
24179 <- target requests 'system call X'
24180 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
24181 -> GDB returns result
24182 ... target continues, GDB returns to wait for the target
24183 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
24186 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
24187 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
24188 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
24189 system are not supported by this protocol.
24191 @node Protocol basics
24192 @subsection Protocol basics
24193 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
24195 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
24196 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
24197 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
24198 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
24199 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
24200 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
24201 to call the appropriate host system call:
24205 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
24208 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
24209 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
24210 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
24211 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol specific representation.
24215 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
24219 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
24220 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
24221 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
24222 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
24226 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
24227 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
24230 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
24233 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
24236 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
24237 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
24238 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
24239 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
24244 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
24245 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
24252 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
24259 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
24260 the latest continue or step action.
24262 @node The F request packet
24263 @subsection The @code{F} request packet
24264 @cindex file-i/o request packet
24265 @cindex @code{F} request packet
24267 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
24270 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
24272 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
24273 This is just the name of the function.
24275 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
24276 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
24277 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
24278 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
24279 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
24280 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
24281 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
24287 @node The F reply packet
24288 @subsection The @code{F} reply packet
24289 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
24290 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
24292 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
24296 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call specific attachment}
24298 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
24300 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol specific representation.
24301 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
24303 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
24304 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
24305 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
24312 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
24319 assuming 4 is the protocol specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
24324 @node The Ctrl-C message
24325 @subsection The Ctrl-C message
24326 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
24328 If the Ctrl-C flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
24329 reply packet (@pxref{The F reply packet}),
24330 the target should behave as if it had
24331 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
24332 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
24333 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
24336 It's important for the target to know in which
24337 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
24341 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
24344 The system call on the host has been finished.
24348 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
24349 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
24350 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
24351 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
24352 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
24353 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
24355 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
24356 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
24357 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
24358 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
24359 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
24360 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
24361 or the full action has been completed.
24364 @subsection Console I/O
24365 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
24367 By default and if not explicitely closed by the target system, the file
24368 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
24369 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
24370 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
24371 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
24372 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
24377 The user presses @kbd{Ctrl-C}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
24379 system call is treated as finished.
24382 The user presses @kbd{Enter}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
24386 The user presses @kbd{Ctrl-D}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
24387 character (neither newline nor Ctrl-D) is appended to the input.
24391 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
24392 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
24393 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
24394 is stopped at the user's request.
24397 @node List of supported calls
24398 @subsection List of supported calls
24399 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
24416 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
24417 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
24422 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
24423 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
24427 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
24430 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
24434 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
24435 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
24439 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
24440 an error and open() fails.
24443 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
24444 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
24445 truncated to zero length.
24448 The file is opened in append mode.
24451 The file is opened for reading only.
24454 The file is opened for writing only.
24457 The file is opened for reading and writing.
24461 Other bits are silently ignored.
24465 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
24469 User has read permission.
24472 User has write permission.
24475 Group has read permission.
24478 Group has write permission.
24481 Others have read permission.
24484 Others have write permission.
24488 Other bits are silently ignored.
24491 @item Return value:
24492 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
24499 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
24502 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
24505 The requested access is not allowed.
24508 @var{pathname} was too long.
24511 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
24514 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
24517 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
24518 write access was requested.
24521 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
24524 No space on device to create the file.
24527 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
24530 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
24534 The call was interrupted by the user.
24540 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
24541 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
24550 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
24552 @item Return value:
24553 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
24559 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
24562 The call was interrupted by the user.
24568 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
24569 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
24574 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
24578 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
24580 @item Return value:
24581 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
24582 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
24583 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
24589 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
24593 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
24596 The call was interrupted by the user.
24602 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
24603 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
24608 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
24612 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
24614 @item Return value:
24615 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
24616 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
24623 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
24627 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
24630 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
24631 host specific maximum file size allowed.
24634 No space on device to write the data.
24637 The call was interrupted by the user.
24643 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
24644 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
24649 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
24653 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
24655 @var{flag} is one of:
24659 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
24662 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
24666 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
24670 @item Return value:
24671 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
24672 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
24673 value of -1 is returned.
24679 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
24682 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
24685 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
24688 The call was interrupted by the user.
24694 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
24695 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
24700 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
24704 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
24706 @item Return value:
24707 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24713 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
24717 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
24720 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
24724 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
24728 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
24729 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
24730 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
24733 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
24736 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24740 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
24743 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
24746 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
24749 The device containing the file has no room for the new
24753 The call was interrupted by the user.
24759 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
24760 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
24765 int unlink(const char *pathname);
24769 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
24771 @item Return value:
24772 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24778 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24781 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
24784 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
24785 being used by another process.
24788 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
24791 @var{pathname} was too long.
24794 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
24797 A component of the path is not a directory.
24800 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
24803 The call was interrupted by the user.
24809 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
24810 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
24811 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
24816 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
24817 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
24821 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
24822 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
24824 @item Return value:
24825 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24831 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
24834 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
24835 path is an empty string.
24838 A component of the path is not a directory.
24841 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
24844 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24847 @var{pathname} was too long.
24850 The call was interrupted by the user.
24856 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
24857 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
24862 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
24866 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
24868 @item Return value:
24869 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
24875 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
24878 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
24884 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
24885 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
24890 int isatty(int fd);
24894 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
24896 @item Return value:
24897 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
24903 The call was interrupted by the user.
24908 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
24909 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
24910 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
24911 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
24916 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
24917 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
24922 int system(const char *command);
24926 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
24928 @item Return value:
24929 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
24930 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
24931 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
24932 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
24933 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
24934 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
24935 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
24941 The call was interrupted by the user.
24946 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
24947 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
24948 the host is simplified before it's returned
24949 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
24950 is discarded, and the return value consists
24951 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
24953 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
24954 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
24955 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
24958 @item set remote system-call-allowed
24959 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
24960 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
24961 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
24963 @item show remote system-call-allowed
24964 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
24965 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
24969 @node Protocol specific representation of datatypes
24970 @subsection Protocol specific representation of datatypes
24971 @cindex protocol specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
24974 * Integral datatypes::
24976 * Memory transfer::
24981 @node Integral datatypes
24982 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral datatypes
24983 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
24985 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
24986 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
24987 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
24989 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
24990 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
24992 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
24994 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
24995 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
24997 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
24999 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
25000 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
25003 @node Pointer values
25004 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer values
25005 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
25007 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
25008 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
25009 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
25010 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
25017 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
25018 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
25019 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
25020 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
25026 @node Memory transfer
25027 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory transfer
25028 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
25030 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
25031 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol specific format
25032 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
25033 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
25034 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
25035 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
25036 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
25040 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
25041 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
25043 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
25044 is defined as follows:
25048 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
25049 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
25050 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
25051 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
25052 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
25053 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
25054 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
25055 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
25056 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
25057 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
25058 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
25059 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
25060 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
25064 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
25065 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral datatypes}, for details) so this
25066 structure is of size 64 bytes.
25068 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
25074 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
25077 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
25080 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
25081 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
25086 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
25091 These values have a host and file system dependent
25092 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
25093 support exact timing values.
25096 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
25097 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
25100 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
25101 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
25102 get truncated on the target.
25104 @node struct timeval
25105 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
25106 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
25108 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
25109 is defined as follows:
25113 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
25114 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
25118 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
25119 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral datatypes}, for details) so this
25120 structure is of size 8 bytes.
25123 @subsection Constants
25124 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
25126 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
25127 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
25128 values before and after the call as needed.
25139 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open flags
25140 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
25142 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
25154 @node mode_t values
25155 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t values
25156 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
25158 All values are given in octal representation.
25175 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno values
25176 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
25178 All values are given in decimal representation.
25203 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
25204 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
25207 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek flags
25208 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
25217 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
25218 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
25220 All values are given in decimal representation.
25223 INT_MIN -2147483648
25225 UINT_MAX 4294967295
25226 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
25227 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
25228 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
25231 @node File-I/O Examples
25232 @subsection File-I/O Examples
25233 @cindex file-i/o examples
25235 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
25236 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
25239 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
25240 @emph{request memory read from target}
25243 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
25247 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
25248 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
25251 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
25252 @emph{request memory write to target}
25253 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
25254 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
25258 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
25259 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
25262 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
25266 Example sequence of a read call, user presses Ctrl-C before syscall on
25270 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
25275 Example sequence of a read call, user presses Ctrl-C after syscall on
25279 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
25280 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
25284 @include agentexpr.texi
25298 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
25300 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
25301 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
25302 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
25303 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
25304 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
25305 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
25306 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
25307 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
25308 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
25310 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.